Double Bass Bass Identification Help

[maphiles96]

Hi,

I have this older upright that I've been playing for a bit now (also posted about it once, that issue has since been resolved luckily) and I have been wondering if anybody has any hunches on age and origin. A luthier I took it to suggested it was German built somewhere from 1900 to 1930, the original owner said he thought it was probably Rumanian and from the 50s, but was not sure about it. I couldn't find any tags on the inside, though there appears to be a pencil mark on the inside of the rib saying 3/4. Also of note might be that where the neck joins the body you can see the outline of the dovetail joint. It appears the dovetail was cut into the soundboard somehow as well and the cut out piece was just glued onto the joint afterwards (though I don't know whether that was from a repair or not, the luthier I took it to seemed unconcerned by this).
From the bit of research I've done both Rumanian and German seem somewhat plausible but I am far from knowledgeable on this subject so any and all input are much appreciated.

As a side note, the light strip running down the back is not original and I don't know whether there was any kind of strip before that repair or not since it happened before I got the Bass.

Thanks in advance for the input/theories!

Cheers

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Factory bass, maybe 50 years old.

 

[maphiles96]

Factory bass, maybe 50 years old.

So from the 70s, how can you tell?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Lack of outside linings, the overall plain appearance, the sprayed finish and the cheap tuning machines.

 

[maphiles96]

Lack of outside linings, the overall plain appearance, the sprayed finish and the cheap tuning machines.

Alright thanks! I was wondering about the "missing" outside linings though I've seen a couple of old basses that also didn't have that. The tuners I have by now found pictures of on basses that people claim are from the 40s to much newer ones. What I don't quite get is that mist newer Basses I've seen irl or in pictures had pretty thick glossy varnish whereas this is lass of both. The picture of the front makes it look somewhat weird though cause of the lighting.

Either way, thanks for the input. I was quite confused by the different assessments people had given this bass, as the german pre wwii assessment specifically came from a pretty well regarded and renowned luthier specializing in upright Basses. But you know how it is. Worth mentioning he also told me this was a shop bass so that part was less of a surprise.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The “varnish” on your bass is polyurethane applied with a spray gun, like we do with cars. And anyone who claims those machines are prewar lacks all credibility in my opinion.

 

[maphiles96]

The “varnish” on your bass is polyurethane applied with a spray gun, like we do with cars. And anyone who claims those machines are prewar lacks all credibility in my opinion.

He didn't claim that about the machines specifically to be fair. I'm asking this cause I don't know stuff and want to learn. While I appreciate the concise answers, they also feel somewhat hostile.

To me it doesn't feel like the poly finish on my electric bass for example, but obviously that doesn't mean anything. The answer you've given is noted and appreciated, and while it's disappointing that it's less old than I had been led to believe it still sounds pretty good and was fairly inexpensive so I guess that's alright.

Thanks again for your input

 

[SAlcott]

If it works for you, it's good.