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Double Bass Bass Maker and Age?

A

ABBCBass

Mar 23, 2015
6
4
Victoria, BC
#1
I posted this over at the Ken Smith Bass Forum and I thought that I would post here too. I am looking at a used bass but the seller doesn't know much about the bass maker or the age. The bass is plywood and the previous owner told the seller that they had it for many years. Any ideas?

Aron
 

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#3
I have a bass just like that. I had not seen any basses on the internet that where match for mine.
That being said its a german factory bass of an unknown maker. Mine sounds pretty good for a plywood bass.
how much are they asking?
 
#5
Sean Riddle said:
Is there any form of identification inside the bass? It could either be a sticker or penciled somewhere inside.
Click to expand...
I repaired a bass with the same (really nice) purfling around the button. Mine was labelled Anton Schroetter, although that's probably just an importer's label.

If there's no label or other markings, you may have to date it approximately just by looking at the wear and patina. From a quick glance, I'd say no earlier than 1955 and no later than 1975. Nice enough looking of a bass. In my experience, basses like that tend to sell for between $1500 to perhaps $3000, although the higher price would be reserved for really great sounding instruments. Oh, and in my opinion the cap they put on the button doesn't help the value.

Cheers,

Paul
 
#7
Ezra Rugg said:
I have a bass just like that. I had not seen any basses on the internet that where match for mine.
That being said its a german factory bass of an unknown maker. Mine sounds pretty good for a plywood bass.
how much are they asking?
Click to expand...

Does yours have the same black wood piece covering the button?
The seller is asking $3000 CAD OBO and comes with a pickup, bag and bow. Does that seem like a reasonable price for an older plywood German shop bass?

@eh_train thanks for the info. The pricing seems to be at the upper end of your scale but I suppose if it sounds really good, it may be worth it. I agree about the cap but thankfully that won't often be seen.
 
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#8
ABBCBass said:
The seller is asking $3000 CAD OBO and comes with a pickup, bag and bow. Does that seem like a reasonable price for an older plywood German shop bass?
Click to expand...

While I don't have a lot to say about identifying the bass, I'll throw in my two cents here. The value added by the "extras" of a pickup, bag, and bow depend on a few factors. Do you want/need a pickup? Does it work properly? Is it an appropriate pickup for what you would like to do with it? If you have no need/want for a pickup, that's not value added. If it is in good working order, you will potentially be able to sell it used for around 40-70% of its retail price either here in the classifieds, or on craigslist, kijiji etc. What kind of shape is the bag in? Does it provide the protection you want for your instrument? If it's in great shape and a bag you will happily live with, you're saving the cost of having to purchase one. If not, used bass bags aren't very easy to sell. How about the bow? If it's used, there is a very good chance it needs at least a rehair which will set you back between $60-100 in most markets. If any other repairs are necessary, they need to be factored in as well.

I agree that $3000 CAD is on the upper end for a German ply, but if it sounds great, has been properly setup, and the "extras" are of good quality and in good repair, it isn't an outrageous price. What do your other options look like? Have you taken the opportunity to check out any local(ish) bass/string shops?
 
#9
$3K CAD is way too much money for that bass, in that condition, even if the seller is a string shop who will send it out the door in tip-top shape and offer after-the-sale service like setup tweaks, annual checkups, etc. In your OP, it doesn't sound like that's the case at all.

For a private-party sale, $500 to $1,000. Maybe, if it sounds really good. You'd probably be much better off talking to TB member Jake deVilliers, whose shop, thebassspa.com, is right across the bay in Vancouver.
 
#10
Thanks Mike. The bag is like new and is better than the bag I have for my '61 Kay M-1. The pickup is not necessarily something I need but it would be a good backup for my Troll mic.

Locally here in Victoria there is a Long & McQuade and a good little shop (Larsen's Music) who I'm sure are sick of seeing me in there looking around. In the 2-5k price range, there isn't too much at the moment other than a couple of Shen SB80s, a hybrid Eastman that I believe is now sold and some other plywood Eastmans.

@KUNGfuSHERRIFF Thanks for the advice. I might have to just bite the bullet for the $150 round trip just for the ferry to Vancouver. I have talked with Jake just this week and am planning a stop to his shop the next time I head to the main land.

Aron
 
#11
While I am sure that Jake will tell you this, he also works for the L&M in Vancouver and would be familiar with what they have available. Other than some very pleasant exchanges here I do not know Jake and I am not trying to suggest anything for or against the bass spa, but pointing out that L&M "band and strings" departments vary greatly from location to location. If you find yourself disappointed in what the Victoria L&M has to offer, do not write off the Vancouver location by association.
 
#12
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
$3K CAD is way too much money for that bass, in that condition... You'd probably be much better off talking to TB member Jake deVilliers, whose shop, thebassspa.com, is right across the bay in Vancouver.
Click to expand...

I agree with your assessments, Shawn!
 
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#13
Mine does not have the button cap.
I payed 1500 for my bass.
I considered it an upgrade from my kay.
I understand the kay market may be a bit inflated.
Compared to the kay the low notes are tighter with more punch.
3000 does seem high.
 

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