On the photo of the bottom, look between the tail wires. There is a stamped 4 7 1. There might be another digit underneath the wire on the left.
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Double Bass Epiphone Upright Bass research questions
- Thread starter MollyKay
- Start date
- Jan 12, 2004
- 1,493
- 1,270
- Disclosures
- Owner, Stand Up Guy Basses (Repair/Sell/Buy upright basses)
Hey Robassable,
Nice Epiphone! IIRC, only the B4 and B5 models had inlaid purfling. The B5 had the really nicely engraved tuners and plates: If yours doesn't have that then, process of elimination, it's likely a B4.
Re the '4' stamp on the badge, who knows? Maybe it was finished on a Friday at 4:25 and they couldn't find the 'B' stamp that went with it?!
BTW, the finish on the tailpiece gives you an idea of what the bass body would have looked like before refinishing...
Nice Epiphone! IIRC, only the B4 and B5 models had inlaid purfling. The B5 had the really nicely engraved tuners and plates: If yours doesn't have that then, process of elimination, it's likely a B4.
Re the '4' stamp on the badge, who knows? Maybe it was finished on a Friday at 4:25 and they couldn't find the 'B' stamp that went with it?!
BTW, the finish on the tailpiece gives you an idea of what the bass body would have looked like before refinishing...
Tornadobass, thanks much for pointing out the serial number. Very hard for me to see it in real life, but should have occurred to me to examine the pic! My ever declining vision proves I'm getting old indeed. Upon closer inspection, the number actually is 171 not 471 (scratch makes the 1 look a bit like a 4). After looking at it from all different angles those are definitely the only 3 numbers. So anyone have an idea of the aprox age off hand? I really do appreciate the quick informed responses here. Outstanding! Here's a better closeup of the serial
:
Glad to help. I had a late BV model for several years and it’s serial number was in the same spot.
Nice Epiphone! IIRC, only the B4 and B5 models had inlaid purfling. The B5 had the really nicely engraved tuners and plates: If yours doesn't have that then, process of elimination, it's likely a B4.
Thanks much. Tuners are brass and NOT engraved.
Re the '4' stamp on the badge, who knows? Maybe it was finished on a Friday at 4:25 and they couldn't find the 'B' stamp that went with it?!
Yes it could likely be a "who knows". I looked at many pics have yet to see one with the number only and no "B". It would be interesting if there is another besides mine?
BTW, the finish on the tailpiece gives you an idea of what the bass body would have looked like before refinishing...[/QUOTE]
Now that is interesting. I never had the impression it was refinished. I have seen other epi's that look pretty similar with the darker, brownish finish. While I don't see physical evidence of a refinish, it certainly might be the case. But that would have been long long ago. Looking back, I took possesion of this bass 26 years ago, and am familiar with the former owner who had a house gig here in Tucson restaurant in a country band for more than 50 years (might be close to gig longevity record!). He played this particular bass as long as I can remember.
Thanks much. Tuners are brass and NOT engraved.
Re the '4' stamp on the badge, who knows? Maybe it was finished on a Friday at 4:25 and they couldn't find the 'B' stamp that went with it?!
Yes it could likely be a "who knows". I looked at many pics have yet to see one with the number only and no "B". It would be interesting if there is another besides mine?
BTW, the finish on the tailpiece gives you an idea of what the bass body would have looked like before refinishing...[/QUOTE]
Now that is interesting. I never had the impression it was refinished. I have seen other epi's that look pretty similar with the darker, brownish finish. While I don't see physical evidence of a refinish, it certainly might be the case. But that would have been long long ago. Looking back, I took possesion of this bass 26 years ago, and am familiar with the former owner who had a house gig here in Tucson restaurant in a country band for more than 50 years (might be close to gig longevity record!). He played this particular bass as long as I can remember.
Hi! Thanks everyone for all the information about the great Epiphone basses! I just bought a great B-5 this week and wanted to contribute to the database!
From the s/n (2064) I assume that it’s from the 50’s but not sure when exactly!
All but the bridge is original and the neck is completely intact!
I’d love to know where it was assembled and when so feel free to let me know your thoughts!
From the s/n (2064) I assume that it’s from the 50’s but not sure when exactly!
All but the bridge is original and the neck is completely intact!
I’d love to know where it was assembled and when so feel free to let me know your thoughts!
Attachments
I'll probably make it through all 12 pages of this thread at some point, but I just got a C1, serial# 76291 on the paper label inside. Any idea of the year?
Thanks....
Thanks....
Well I did read through the entire thread, and am no closer to an answer.
I've checked all the spots where serial numbers usually appear, and the only one is the "76291" on the paper label inside. That number doesn't fit into anything mentioned in the thread or in the History section at epiphone
Likewise, the C1 model doesn't seem to fit anywhere. The Kay C1 I'm familiar with.
The Bass seems pretty recent, so maybe it's a recent "Kay-style" made by Epiphone, and all the history info here doesn't apply.
Any ideas? Thanks....
I've checked all the spots where serial numbers usually appear, and the only one is the "76291" on the paper label inside. That number doesn't fit into anything mentioned in the thread or in the History section at epiphone
Likewise, the C1 model doesn't seem to fit anywhere. The Kay C1 I'm familiar with.
The Bass seems pretty recent, so maybe it's a recent "Kay-style" made by Epiphone, and all the history info here doesn't apply.
Any ideas? Thanks....
I think some photos of the label and the bass itself would really help narrow things down here.
Yow! I never had either an Englehardt or an Epiphone. Can't believe one half of my brain read Englehart, while the other half thought Epiphone. I need a vacation. 
The guy you'll want to talk with is Kyle Perkins, [email protected]. He's doing the Englehardt database.Yow! I never had either an Englehardt or an Epiphone. Can't believe one half of my brain read Englehart, while the other half thought Epiphone. I need a vacation.
