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Double Bass B Lang Cutaway Bass
- Thread starter Earl
- Start date
I can't imagine a bass with a glued on volute was carved, but it's hard to see through that finish and lining.
Whatever it is, I like the look of it.
Only $2600? It looks so well maintained. Obviously well cared for. 
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
- 6,654
- 2
- 16,426
- Disclosures
- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
I don't know anything about pricing, but based on the longitudinal cracks in the top, I would guess at least that much is solid.
The scroll volute is just broken off... it was carved, not a glued-on applique piece. That would take a pretty hard shot.
The scroll volute is just broken off... it was carved, not a glued-on applique piece. That would take a pretty hard shot.
Price seems a bit steep for what it looks like. Likely a workshop violin with a copied label probably carved, not ply. Might be a good player, but I’d get it checked before buying.
exactly. seems a heavy aesthetic and possibly structural and tonal price for a nonexistent ergonomic problem. i see it making thumb position harder as theres nothing there to rest your forearm on, so... ergonomics: worse
The cracks make me think that the top and back and likely not-laminate. This is almost definitely a Framus. They're the only brand I know that made cutaway basses. The ribs look shallow to me. Visually, I would not expect this bass to sound as good as well made, modern student bass and aside from the novelty, cutaways don't seem to offer any playing advantage on a doublebass. It won't help you avoid thumb position, like it would on a guitar instrument.
This has some history of the form (price is in Australian dollars, about a 1/3rd higher than USD)
www.atelierpuglisi.com
Framus Cut-Away, 3/4 D.Bass - c. 1950 | Atelier Puglisi
German make, C. 1950s Recently upgraded with new fingerboard, bridge and internally a new bass bar.This instrument is also set up with nylon strings and fantastic for all slapping rock 'n' roll styles. The double bass at Framus is a testament of instrument manufacturing tradition from the land...
www.atelierpuglisi.com
But it tells time simultaneously in Monte Carlo, Beverly Hills, London, Paris, Rome, and Gstaad!
I've played a bass like this before. In Japan both the companies Oriente and Chaki have made them. It's true that the cutaways are useless, however the one I played had a slightly different shape to the cutaway which probably is a little bit of an improvement over the original Framus design. Here's a picture of the Oriente, (fully carved, the player's face is blurred out, and the pic was taken with an old phone camera, so poor quality) and a link to a Chaki for sale right now. Seems to be a hybrid. https://jp.mercari.com/item/m15454016850 Asking about 8000USD. He'll have to come down a ways to sell it, I think.
The one I played sounded pretty good, actually, for an instrument in its class. The cutaway was a bit weird, but I think you'd get used to it.
The one I played sounded pretty good, actually, for an instrument in its class. The cutaway was a bit weird, but I think you'd get used to it.
Attachments
Framus, possibly Hofner factory, circa late '40s / early 1950s. White plastic binding and trim, post WW2 tuners. Plywood basses can crack ; often the outside layers do. I had one of these for a couple of years as my first upright bass. It was great. Everyone who didn't own one and never played one was constantly giving me advise on it. They should be priced along the same lines as most mid 20th century plywood basses; ie $2000-low $3000s.
Occasionally you'll find a fully carved version of this model, but I've never seen one of those with the plastic binding. I playe done at SPBGMA in Nasheville a couple of years ago; it was painfully quiet.
Occasionally you'll find a fully carved version of this model, but I've never seen one of those with the plastic binding. I playe done at SPBGMA in Nasheville a couple of years ago; it was painfully quiet.
