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Double Bass Any thoughts on a 100 yr-old bass?

lorianb

lorianb

Apr 10, 2011
116
6
Ottawa
thejeers.bandcamp.com
#1
I have no other info (yet) on this bass other than what's in the ad : Link Removed

I've sent questions in this morning and am waiting on a reply. Anybody have any thoughts on this before I drive 5 hours to check it out? Some things to know: total newb when it comes to DB (hunting for my 1st instrument) / I have no access to a player/teacher/luthier in Toronto that could check it out with me/I'm also looking at a Shen 180 that's for sale here on TB (which is also a 5 hr drive away).

Any thoughts and/or comments is appreciated. Yes, I have read the wiki.

thanks,
lorian...
 
#3
For that price unless it has some issues it may well be gone. If you're serious about it and it's still available don't hem and haw stop what you're doing now and go check it out. It's good to be cautious and educated but like the ad says it's priced to sell quickly and it probably will.
 
#5
It's tough to really tell much from the pictures but I saw a couple things. Check the crack on the top that runs from the bottom to the E side of the bridge foot (bass bar crack) to see if it's been properly cleated inside and confirm that the bass bar is OK. Also, the lighter color along the back seam may be some weird glue or simply a difference in the color of the wood or finish. The bridge may be warped but it doesn't look too bad. If you do check it out, take a mechanic's mirror and flashlight for internal inspection. Assuming it has no open cracks or prior repairs with epoxy or titebond glue I'd jump on it. My bass looks alot worse but old basses break and get fixed. It's how the repairs are done that helps determine their value.
 
#10
If this one doesn't work out (and speaking as the owner of three old carved basses, you may not want it to, at least as your first instrument) TB member eh_train is in Toronto and has (or had) a nice looking Romanian carved flatback for sale at around the same price.
 
#11
Hi KFS,

Thanks, tons, for pointing someone in my direction. The Romanian bass that you mention was just sold (no action for several weeks, then three potential buyers at once!).

The OPs 100 year old bass looked very tempting, but I've managed to avoid pursuing it. At that price, I don't think it'll last too long. I agree that whoever looks at it should check out the bass bar area carefully.

Cheers,

Paul (Eh_train)
 
#13
lorianb said:
PS - Does anyone have experience crossing the border into Canada with a very large coat rack that doubles :D as a bass?
Click to expand...

Yes, I've been down to Buffalo to pick up perhaps 4 basses over the years.

The great news is that for some reason stringed instruments ** played with a bow ** are exempt from import duty. You can search 'Canada Revenue Agency import tariffs' or some such and print out the exact info (though they seem to know about this at the border). This means that you can bring back, for example, a $2,000 bass after just a few hour visit to the States.

The bad news is that your purchase is still taxable. So, if you live in Ontario, you would have to pay $260 tax on that $2,000 purchase (13% tax up here!). That is, assuming you had a receipt saying you spent $2,000 (insert shifting eye icon here).


Cheers,

Paul
 
#14
When Stereo Joe came down from Ottawa to pick up my ex-Shen, he breezed right through, no questions and no problems.

lorian, if you're talking about talcoserv's Shen, I'd be glad to check it out for you. I've dealt with Dean before, and he lives minutes from me.
 

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