Double Bass another Bass ID

[SunneyBoy]

I have come across this in a local (johannesburg) classifieds.

Sold by an older gentleman who can't give me much info on the



















bass.
I am thinking a old German or Czech ply. Have a look and perhaps some one will have some insight. He would like the equivalent of about $1050.

 

[Violen]

ID Aside, what is the scarcity of double basses where you live? If its in solid condition 1050 American wouldn't be bad, but then again, you aren't in our market. Is this a good price for you? can you afford it? would he let you play on it for a few hours to see how you like it?

 

[eh_train]

It'll need some setting up, for sure. The bridge is around 1/2" thick where the strings cross. A definite sound-killer, and if the installer left it like that, they probably didn't do a great job of fitting the feet either.

A pic of the neck/body join at the back would also help. There are often problems at that spot that can lower the value of a bass.

Still, $1050 is a pretty thrifty starting point.

Cheers,

Paul

 

[SunneyBoy]

ID Aside, what is the scarcity of double basses where you live? If its in solid condition 1050 American wouldn't be bad, but then again, you aren't in our market. Is this a good price for you? can you afford it? would he let you play on it for a few hours to see how you like it?

Yeh there are definitely not that many basses around. All the older good pedigree basses have been rounded by the older generation players and they are not about get rid of them.

So the only basses generally available are the cheaper European plys that came in years ago and newer ccbs.

I have a Chrissy hybrid i imported myself. Which i am happy with. But i am always on the lookout.

Perhaps i should hang on and save for that ns Cleveland i have been gassing about for years. : )

 

[Waltjie]

Yeh there are definitely not that many basses around. All the older good pedigree basses have been rounded by the older generation players and they are not about get rid of them.

So the only basses generally available are the cheaper European plys that came in years ago and newer ccbs.

I have a Chrissy hybrid i imported myself. Which i am happy with. But i am always on the lookout.

Perhaps i should hang on and save for that ns Cleveland i have been gassing about for years. : )

I've never even seen a vintage bass advertised over here. If anything appears in the classifieds, it's always some CCB someone's decided to part with. So he's asking what, like R8000? That's not bad hey! If you have the cash available. Heck, wish I did!

 

[Jake deVilliers]

If the bass is sound, it seems like a good deal to me. Looks to be German - can you post a photo of the button?

 

[SunneyBoy]

Thanks for all the responses.
When i spoke to the seller he mentioned the bass was in good nick and it hadn't had any neck repairs etc. Done.

Unfortunately he does not have anymore pics. His son took the pictures for him and he is away.

For a bass here in sa it does look like a good deal. I guess i will have to take a little drive into the country and have look and listen Or wait for a diamond to show up in antique store that's where the really saught after basses seem to pop up here. Or in abandoned houses ready for demolition. Sad really!!!!

Waltjie if you are ever in jozi give me a shout and i will take you round to John Rauntenbachs place. He is an old jazzer with a very nice collection of vintage carved basses. From the 1800s drool worthy for sure.

 

[Violen]

If its in the country and you are in a large town, Buy it.

If you dont like it, Flip it. I bet you can find someone else who would buy it without much trouble.

 

[kleinman]

Looks like a great deal to me.....laminated bass or otherwise. It's probably a '40-50's example.

 

[kleinman]

Here's the back of this bass...beautiful flamed maple

 

[SunneyBoy]

Very nice. Did you buy the bass ?

 

[kleinman]

Unfortunately way too far away but I believe the bass is sold.
Quality German laminated base it was.

 

[SunneyBoy]

Yeh. I gave the seller a buzz on Friday and the bass has been sold. hopefully it now resides in a loving home.