Double Bass Can you tell me about this DB?

[unbrokenchain]

Hard to see but that neck heel looks mammoth!
If it's cheap cheap, I'd say pick it up and mess with it. If it's totally unplayable, tie a rope to it and hang it from a tree. I did this with a few fubar guitars around my place and everyone seems to dig it.

 

[delta7fred]

Back in the 70's there was a violin repair shop I passed on my way to work that had a DB above the door. Seeing the photo reminded me of it, like this one it was totally devoid of any finish (but in far worse condition with spending years outside).

I always felt sorry for the poor thing but now realise there was probably a very good reason for it being there.

 

[powerbass]

If you have skills, patience and if it isn't coming apart at the seams and the price is right $100 - $300.00? I'ld say go for it. You will need to invest a fair amount of time/money to make it playable - new strings, maybe fingerboard, bridge, sound post and a complete refinish job unless you like the look. If you pay a pro to do all this it could run you into the $1000's. That said before you take this project on you need to make sure there isn't any major structural issues like cracks, holes, sunken top, split neck heel, warped neck etc. The seller needs to know there isn't much value in the bass as-is, giving it to you is a good option since finding someone to buy it is unlikely

 

[TomB]

It almost looks like it had an acid bath. I'm in the "better be really cheap" camp, as I suspect it's unlikely to be worth a major investment to restore.

 

[jlmorgan84]

To me the top looks like plywood where someone's sanded through the top veneer exposing a lighter color underneath. Looks homemade. I bet someone loves(ed) it!

I think free would probably be a good price If you want something to thump on then no harm no foul, but I wouldn't put any money into it thinking I was going to keep it and play it.

 

[VictorW126]

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It scares me! Awful neck and hideous scroll! It looks like a mockup or dummy. It's terrible, whatever that is!
Of course, a miracle can happen and this seems to be the only double bass of Stradivarius himself, but I think that this is just a decoration for the student theater.

 

[Martin Beer]

I'd say it may not be a great place to start, as it would need someone with some double bass experience seeing it close up to really determine how much of a viable instrument it is.
Incidentally, is that the mounting bracket for an old DeArmond contact mic attached to the tailpiece?

 

[Anne Millington]

Even a cellist friend could be of help, if you have no DB friends nearby. Or, maybe pay a luthier or a music store owner to do a quick cheap evaluation for you. Or just go for it, and turn it into a planter if it is doodoo.