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Double Bass Epiphone Upright Bass research questions

#62
MaryShappee said:
Hi, I would say that the color of the bass is mahogany,, it is etched at the top on a gold plate and says epiphone inc. kalamazoo mich. B-5 ..... The back does have a loop near the top. Any thoughts?? mary
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Hello Mary ..... Greetings To You ... Thanks for reporting in... We may be kindred spirits here :) . Shoot some pictures if you have a chance. The Kalamazoo Michigan Epiphone B-5 you have may be my bass's brother or sister :D . I got my '58-to-'60 (sort of unknown date) Gibson-Epiphone B-5 from MollyKay & BassMonkey. Mine's a sweet bass .... Serial Number .... WhatEver ... It's Just Numbers ... Maybe 392 .... I forget .... Here's a thread ....
http://www.bluegrassbassplace.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1078
My bass also has the loop'de'loop on the back ..... Yer tuner plate that sez "Epi Kalamazoo B-5" might actually be real-gold-plated :D . Take care of that bass and have fun :D !
 
#63
MR PC said:
..... Try some. You might like it!:D Traditionally, sassafras leaves and bark were part of the sweet drink as well. Tonic. Good for inflamed gums after a night of tossing down shots and brews.:) Regular old Ginger Beer might settle your stomach in any case ...
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Hey PC .... I appreciate that :D . I been gettin' some of that SassyFrass in my rooty-beers I buy at my local Hippie-Food-Co-Op here lately. It kinda sukked until I put a cuppla-shots of George Dickel in there too .... Then Boy-Howdy .... I started drinkin' more Rooty-Beer .... And putting it on my Cheerios in the morning too :p . Actually ... I'm an aging Hipster .... GoldenSeal rules ... Helped me cure a real-nasty tooth abcess a cuppla weeks back ...

Where were we ?? Oh Yeah .... Epiphones are Damn-Good Old American PlyWoods :hyper::bassist::D !!
 
#64
Bob Knebel said:
Where were we ?? Oh Yeah .... Epiphones are Damn-Good Old American PlyWoods :hyper::bassist::D !!
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Thank you Bob for getting us back on target...Okay...let's keep it on topic...the last thing we want is to turn this thread into a rant. We are trying to keep on topic about vintage Epiphone upright basses and their fine characteristics...we are not doubting anyone or their basses character.

Now back to our research...:):):):):):):):):):D
 
#65
Hi, there are the numbers 917 near the end pin. This bass belongs to the shriner band in albq. NM. It was used in the big band for quite a number of years,, but has been untouched for even more. Seems like such a waste. It will be looking for a new home soon. mary
 
#66
Gearhead43 said:
Hey Bob, don't let him mess with you.

Seems like every single post he makes he is just baiting people. He did the same to me and I fell for it. Pretty much just a troll with very little better to do, IMO.

Sad, isn't it?
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Gearhead43, funny, I was thinking the same thing about you after you accused me of slander in the Jupiter vs. Cleveland thread!:)

What are your intentions here? That's the same question you asked me over there. I think it's fair to ask you the same question.
 
#68
MaryShappee said:
Hi, there are the numbers 917 near the end pin. This bass belongs to the shriner band in albq. NM. It was used in the big band for quite a number of years,, but has been untouched for even more. Seems like such a waste. It will be looking for a new home soon. mary
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Hi Mary...this is confirmed to be a VERY late model Gibson/Epiphone. This is the highest serial number in my data base for the Gibson/Epiphone era. Thanks for the information. Find that bass a good new home where it can make music again! :)
 
#69
Hi Molly, I have some information for you. I had no idea there was such a fellowship of Epiphone bass players! Good luck with your research and I hope you find this useful.

• What is the serial number and where was it located? Serial numbers can be located under the scroll head on the E side (look up), at the end of the finger board or at the end pin.
SERIAL NO: 62 UNDER THE SCROLL HEAD ON THE 'E' SIDE. LOOKS LIKE THIS COULD BE A PRETTY EARLY EPIPHONE. MAYBE YOU COULD HELP ME DATE IT MORE ACCURATELY.
• What is the model number? It can be located on the metal badge on the tail piece. Model numbers are B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5.
MODEL IS B1. THE ORIGINAL BADGE IS STILL THERE AND THE NUMBER IS STAMPED ON IT.
• Is your tail piece black, dark brown, blonde or highly flamed maple?
BLACK TAIL PIECE.
• What color is your bass?
IT'S LIGHT HONEY-BROWN / BLONDE ON THE BACK AND SIDES, BUT THE TABLE IS VARNISHED IN A DARKER FINISH. I GUESS IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE FRONT OF THE BASS WAS REPLACED AT SOME TIME.
THE NECK ALSO SHOWS EVIDENCE OF REPAIR WORK, AND HAS PROBABLY BEEN BROKEN A COUPLE OF TIMES.
ANOTHER NON-STANDARD FEATURE IS THAT EIGHT EDGE PROTECTORS HAVE BEEN GLUED TO THE UPPER AND LOWER BOUTS TO PROTECT THE INSTRUMENT FROM THE USUAL ROUGH-AND-TUMBLE WE BASS PLAYERS HAVE TO ENDURE.
I RECKON THIS OLD BASS HAS SEEN PLENTY OF ACTION IN ITS TIME!
• What finish are your tuners? Brass, Bright nickel, Blacken nickel
TUNERS ARE BRASS COGS AND SHAFTS WITH MATT NICKEL MOUNTINGS AND TUNING KEY HEADS, WHICH ARE HELD TO THE TUNING KEY SHAFTS WITH RIVETS. EXCEPT FOR THE 'G' KEY - THIS KEY HEAD IS BRASS AND APPEARS TO BE BRAZED ONTO THE SHAFT, NOT RIVETED. COULD BE AN OLD REPAIR - NOT VERY NEAT.
• Are your tuners etched? This is so far only a B5 characteristic
TUNERS ARE NOT ETCHED.
• Does the bass have real Black/White/Black purfling, single black pin stripe or double black pin stripe?
NO PURFLING ANYWHERE, AS FAR AS I CAN SEE.
• Does it have a purfling "loop" on the back of the bass below the neck?
NO PURFLING LOOP.
• Any guess as to what year the bass was made…and this is a guess.
I BELIEVE AROUND 1940, MAYBE EARLIER?
• Any other notable characteristics to the bass?
THIS BASS WAS OWNED BY THE GREAT CANADIAN BASS PLAYER JACK FALLON, WHO BROUGHT IT OVER TO ENGLAND, WHERE HE LIVED AND WORKED IN LONDON FROM 1946 TO 2006. I ACQUIRED IT FROM HIM IN SPRING OF 2004. JACK SADLY PASSED AWAY IN MAY 2006. THERE IS PLENTY MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HIM ON THE WEB, INCLUDING OBITUARIES FROM THE LONDON PRESS. HE WROTE A SHORT AUTOBIOGRAPHY CALLED "FROM THE TOP". I BELIEVE IT CONTAINS PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS INSTRUMENT. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET HOLD OF A COPY OF THIS BOOK, BUT HAVE HAD NO LUCK SO FAR.
 
#70
Hello Hojo!

I apologize for not replying sooner…I was away for the holiday! :)

Thank you so much for your posting…this is now the lowest number Epiphone bass in my database and the only blonde B-1 that I know of…this is fantastic information. :hyper:

All the characteristics that you mention would be that of a B-1 and since your badge is still in place (lucky you) I would have to say it is one of the earliest Epiphone…most likely an early first year 1939 Epiphone. I will reply to your Private Message and give you my e-mail address as I would like to see pictures of your bass. The history behind it is very interesting…I would like to know more of that as well.

Again thank you so much for your posting and yes the small fellowship of Epiphone upright bass owners and players is most likely less then 4,000 or so…we are a small but proud group! :D
 
#71
Molly,

Can you shed any light on this ( a bass at Kolstein's)

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Vintage Gibson Carved Bass Violin
Made by the Gibson Guitar Company, Kalamazoo Michigan USA circa 1938

* 3/4 size, violin cornered, round back model
* Top table is a two piece sectional table of medium grain spruce.
* Back table is a two piece sectional table of moderately flamed maple.
* Ribs: maple veneer
* Neck & Scroll are both original of plainer grained maple.
* Gears: Baker style individual brass gears
* Varnish: deep reddish brown
* This vintage collectable Gibson Bass is the same model bass that the late Jazz great Bassist George Duvivier played. A truly great sounding Bass with fine orchestral and jazz qualities.
* OBL: 43-1/2"
* UB: 21"
* CB: 14-1/2"
* LB:25-1/2"

Thanks!

Louis
 

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#72
Hi Louis,

Unfortunately I know very little about the early Gibson basses. I have seen a few pop up on eBay and the Bluegrass Bass Place discussion board. I have seen them priced from $3,500 - $10,000. To repeat what I read about them…they were imported from Germany for the Gibson Company. Very few were made…less then a hundred. The pictures I have seen they are quiet beautiful but I have been told by a reliable source the basses were heavy and did not have much acoustic punch. This maybe the reason production lasted for a few short years. I can’t offer much more then that. :)

Here is the link over at BGBP…

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#75
Hi Natalee!

Welcome to TalkBass. I reviewed your pictures…AWESOME…thanks so much. You have what looks to be a 1940 original condition Epiphone B-1. It has a few battle scars but looks good for its age. Thanks for letting us see your bass. I will add it to my database. Your bass is the second bass to have the serial number on the G side verses the usual spot which is the E side. I guess someone at the Epi factory was feeling frisky and went against the rules that day.

Enjoy your Epi and give it a hug from me! :cool::D
 
#76
Thanks for the info! I knew I had to be a 40 or 41. Yep, it has a few battle scars, but the neck has never been broken. Got it about 15 years ago right outside of Chattanooga. A friend of a friend who owned a music shop there called my buddy in Memphis and told him he'd just acquired the bass, but didn't want to keep it, as he had a few Kays. I drove straight there and bought it. PS: It had it's hug today
 
#78
I was reading comments in another thread about the Kay Bass website and how the information that has been collected by Roger Stowers is shared. As I continue to collect information for a possible Epiphone upright bass history website I want to consider what the purpose of a website should be. The Kay website freely gives a ton of information that was not readily available before Roger’s research as does the American Standard and King website that Kip Martin maintains.

On both websites there was great effort put forth at no cost to the end user to view the information. I was planning on modeling my own findings after these two website…but I would like to hear what you as the end user wants to know about Epiphone Upright basses. I have recently invested in some hardcover books that have a great deal of Epiphone history that I will be happy to share and give credit to the author, Walter Carter.

My real hesitation in creating an Epiphone website is some how that would make it the “gospel” on Epiphone’s and I’m not sure I am comfortable with that responsibility or claim. :hmm: I some how want to share my gathered knowledge on Epiphone without offending anyone or stepping on others toes.

As far as a creating a list of serial numbers that is accurate with model numbers and year of manufacture…that is a huge tasks and not one I take lightly…but that seems to be what most folks contact me about…what year was my bass made and how much is it worth. Both of these questions are difficult, if not impossible to answer.

So if I do venture into creating a Epiphone website what information can I share that you would find helpful and interesting…let me know…my ears and my mind are open. :)
 
#79
I have a B-5 which is highly engraved on the Brass tuners along with made by Epiphone Inc, Kalamazoo Mich. It has a flamed tail piece missing the insignia. THe color is Honey Brown. Very large F-holes. The serial number is 705 which is located between the saddle and endpin. The purfling is brown, black, brown which has the loop. Thank you for imparting any wisdom you have gained
 
#80
Hello Molly, thanks for all the helpful information. I picked up this baby last Friday morning. It was quite an adventure. I was up late thursday nite just browsing the web searching for a cheap upright bass when I responded to an ad posted on craigslist. Friday morning I get an email from the owner stating he still had it. I told him " i'll be there, give me at least an hour, I'm coming from the boonies." He was like fine, you're my first caller I just posted it late last nite". Anyways........... I call up my buddy for a lil help and I tell him about this bass I came across. As i'm getting ready I had this weird feeling that the owner already forgot me. He was a 84 yr gentleman from Mission Viejo. Extremely nice guy. I call him back just to remind him "it's me Daniel, I'm already on the way , be there shortly!" About 20 minutes into my drive I get a call from the gentleman telling me , "by the way
someone else called right after and they'll be here in 30.......... I don't know what to do , I don't want to waste your time, but whoever comes first, gets it"..... My heart dropped! Now with another interested buyer on the way I was on the gas like wood on howdy doody. I managed to get there first........gotta love that v-8! The guard at the gate asked me who I was , Daniel or Gabriel. I told him......if Gabriel shows up - Don't let him in! He laughed and asked why. with a big smile I told him , " he wants my Bass". haha When I get to the door the coolest old kat opens the door. It was a pleasure!!!! He welcomed me into his home full of vintage instruments and gave me a brief history about his music. He had some history in that house.
He had another bass in his living room and he told me ......" today is your lucky day son! I know the worth of this thing but am too damn old to lug it around. Take care of it. You can easily turn around and sell it for 10x what your getting it for (which was $200)" - but thats not on my mind. I'm looking for a luthier around my area to get a new bridge, soundpost, and setup. Can't wait to get this baby thumpin'. Anyways thanks for all the tips Molly. I hope this helps .

What is the serial number and where was it located? Serial numbers can be located under the scroll head on the E side (look up), at the end of the finger board or at the end pin.

#35 end of the fingerboard

What is the model number? It can be located on the metal badge on the tail piece. Model numbers are B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5.
B-5 no model number on tail piece badge.

Is your tail piece black, dark brown, blonde or highly flamed maple? tail piece is dark brown

What color is your bass?
blonde back and sides but the top looks stained a bit darker

What finish are your tuners? Brass, Bright nickel, Blacken nickel
Brass

Are your tuners etched? This is so far only a B5 characteristic
Yes. "made by Epiphone Inc. in New York USA -B-5-"

Does the bass have real Black/White/Black purfling, single black pin stripe or double black pin stripe?Yes . Real b/w/b purfling

Does it have a purfling "loop" on the back of the bass below the neck? Yes.

Any guess as to what year the bass was made…and this is a guess. No idea:confused:

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