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Double Bass Epiphone Upright Bass research questions

#121
Been to your page several times now. I am still trying to get an idea of value for this bass. Since it would have been built in the last years of production and since there is a bit of damage (repaired poorly) and that the bridge is completely wrong. Plus with needing work to the nut and board, I don't think it would be worth a whole bunch of money even though it was "top of the line" for an Epiphone. Any help or price ranges would be great help.
 
#123
Yes...the tag looks like this? :)

BassLabel1035.jpg


As far as a price...it is worth what you are willing to pay for it. I do not venture into value and appraisals. :rollno:
 
#124
Is there a way to search out approximate values of basses? I mean, I am aware of tons of resources for electric basses, but not so much about do-uble basses. Web sites, info sites? Something that might give me any idea of values of any types of these basses
 
#125
Hi MollyKay,

I have a Epiphone B3 with some unique details. I purchased this bass back in '92 while living in Hawaii. Here are some of the details you may find interesting: Tail piece has a B3 stamp, a loop is featured on the back, Kluson Tuners are nickel painted black, stamp reads Kluson mfg. co., Chicago Ill. USA, no serial number to be found or felt.

I've had this bass for 18 years and have always loved the warm booming tone it generates! I am including some photos, please enjoy!

Clefpal8
 

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#127
Howdy Clefpal8

Sorry for the delayed reply…I have been with out internet for over a week. I am just catching up!

Thanks so much for the pictures of your beautiful B-3 bass. If you could please give a good second effort to look for the serial number below the tuner plate stamped on the bottom of the peg box on the E side. You can often feel it before you see it. There will be a three digit stamped serial number, the bass does have a serial number, promise. There are less then five of these B-3’s in my database which has grown to over 175 cataloged Epiphone basses (thank you to all that have helped with their contribution of information). The B-3 was a pre-war, middle of the road quality bass for Epiphone. The slight differences between the Epi models are subtle…a fantastic bass regardless of the model (in my opinion all Epiphone’s are great basses!). This is the third Epiphone that I know of in Hawaii…that is a mighty long way to ship a bass!

As soon as I make the time I will update my website and the Epiphone history page. I have done some intensive research and bass acquisitions over the past three years. I have completed my pre-war Epiphone collection with every model of bass from a B-1 through a B-5. I will soon be able to detail and photograph every bass model and give accurate model descriptions. I have purchased several print ads and catalogs from the early 1940’s that give model details and price list. My research is beginning to come full circle where I am confident in my knowledge and will share it with all that are interested.

Thanks so much for the post and the pictures…now go look for that serial number! :hyper:
 
#128
Hello all…I have updated the Epiphone website with the latest research information and have added many new photos. I have also taken a first stab at serial numbers and manufacture dates. I have more work to do and some nice original photos to scan, Photoshop and make a new side show.

My research will continue and a BIG thanks to all that have contributed and care about these great vintage basses to read my website from start to finish. :cool:

New stuff here...

http://www.bassmonkey.net/epiphone.html
 
#129
Here is another for the database:

* 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.

996 @ end pin
* 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.

B5
* Is your tail piece black, dark brown, blonde or highly flamed maple?

Matches the bass
* What color is your bass?

Red/brown sunburst
* 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 in Kalamazoo, MI

* Does the bass have real Black/White/Black purfling, single black pin stripe or double black pin stripe?

Single Black
* 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.
58-60
* Any other notable characteristics to the bass?

Top caved in at some point, but has been prof. repaired. Bass is in great shape for it age.

5056055334_b9127822f5.png
 
#132
Matt Ides said:
Your Epiphone page was great to help with the research and in my decision to buy the bass.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Awesome…thanks very much for letting me know. Epiphone (in my very bias opinion) are the most underrated, under valued American made plywood bass from that era. There are not as many Epi’s as Kay, American Standard or King Basses which is part of the reason for them being rare and unknown. Glad to know my research helped in your selection process.

Enjoy your new bass and make some really great music with it.
 
#133
Another thanks for the great website and the helpful replies. We'd emailed about the age of my new Epiphone, which doesn't match any particularly year's details very well.

I wanted to put up a photo of the label to see if anybody has run across this version before.
 

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#135
Yes…I realized I was getting increased hits to my Epiphone website from the UK, looked it up and found this bass on EBay in the UK. The owner of this bass did not contact me for any of the information he posted in the listing. He gathered his information from the Epiphone website, which is just fine by me. That is why I made my research free to all who are interested.

I was able to catalog the bass from the pictures in the EBay listing. My only observation is the W/B/W purfling on this bass (Gibson/Epi had W/B/W, Epi have B/W/B purfling) is really white and stands out too much. If the bass is a B4S it was originally a “shaded” factory finish, so my gut tells me this bass may have been stripped of its shaded factory finish and is now blonde.

All Epiphone’s are great basses, the late model Gibson/Epiphone are slightly different then their early predecessors. I find the really early basses to be the most powerful and resonate…again I am bias. Hope this bass find a great new home.

There is only one other bass cataloged from the UK. That would be a B-1 # 621, per the owner…it was owned by 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. He wrote a short autobiography called "From the top". I believe it contains photographs of this instrument.

Enjoy!
 
#137
There are no interior paper labels in the early New York era. The only way to identify a New York made Epiphone is the serial number and tail badge. The interior paper labels began with the late model Kalamazoo made Gibson/Epiphone’s. That is why your paper interior label is such an oddity.

I have never seen one like yours before. There maybe others like your, but it is the first I have seen. :D
 
#139
This robin egg blue tape label is the first interior label to show up in my research. It was used in a few of the early Gibson/Epiphone (around # 300) and then the big white paper oval label was used towards the end of the Gibson production. So far, based on my research these are the only two versions of an interior label for the Gibson/Epi’s. This is why your label is so curious.

GibEpi569B407.jpg
 
#140
Hello Epiphone upright bass fans!

There are new updates to the Epiphone website if you are interested in the latest information. I have added more information about the cataloged basses which now exceed over 200 Epiphone basses. I have also added more actual Epiphone catalogs pictures in the margins. There is now documented information that Bill Monroe owned and loaned out a late model Gibson/Epiphone to bass players.

epiphone

There is a new page at the website called “Bass Tidbits” that has been inspired by discussion from Talk Bass.

bass tidbits

Enjoy the updates. I’ll keep digging away for new historical and important information about vintage American-made plywood basses. :hyper:
 

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