Double Bass ‘87 Hans Kroger 3/4 - West Germany

[AJC81]

Hi there - new to the TB forum and curious about info for my Hans Kroger 3/4 I bought used. There's seems to be information on these instruments going back to the 90s but not 1987. I haven't found any info on it. The sticker reads.

Hans Kroger
West Germany
Anno 1987
Serial: 0001
Mod Num: 1308

is this a slightly above student level upright and any idea the value I have in it? There is a hairline crack running from the bottom to the bridge and some other minor imperfections but otherwise in great shape. Thanks in advance!

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

It's a Hora, from Reghin, Romania. Flat back, kinda heavy, thick sprayed finish. It's a student bass, but solid for gigging. I'd pay around $1200.

Where exactly is this crack located? Could be a problem.

 

[eh_train]

It looks like a saddle crack on the treble side, and a good-sized one. It's a shame because those are easily prevented. They happen when the lower saddle is fit too tight and pushes the top apart. It can probably be dealt with through the f-hole (and avoid taking the top off to do the repair).

Oops, just saw that you said the crack travels all the way to the bridge. That, then, is a crying shame. Again, the damage is completely avoidable if basic maintenance is done. Since the crack is up to the bridge, a proper repair might be much more expensive, involving taking off the top and patching the sound post area. Have a luthier look at it, pronto! That crack can keep travelling north...

 

[eh_train]

It's a Hora, from Reghin, Romania.

The OP says it's labelled as German. I've seen both German and Romanian basses that look almost identical. I have a bass labelled an "Andrew Schroetter" German flatback in the shop right now that is identical to other Romanian flatbacks I've had. Same varnish, same dicey joints on the back.

I wonder if this could be one manufacturer that at some point sent their German production "offshore" to Romania? Or Romanian makers sending basses to Germany for final finishing??

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I suppose it's possible, but these are budget instruments and there are lots of liars in the violin business. Occam's Razor and all that.