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Double Bass Feedback on this bass

#4
John Sprague said:
It looks like a steal, with all the fixins he's including.
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That's the problem. Glen Fong sent me a PM and told me that the photo of the back of the bass was taken in his backyard in 2010, when he was selling it, and that from what he can tell, the photo of the top is not that bass. I asked for more photos to figure out if this is true or not. I'd hate if this is a scam. It's a killer deal.
 
#5
Being craigslist, suspicion should be the default. With that said, if it is a scam, how exactly might that work? It's not like you're going to take delivery through the mail and open the box to find bricks and sawdust instead of a DVD player.
 
#11
while i agree that trusting craigslist is always less-than-wise;

the way that ad is worded doesn't smell scam-ish to me. the used price is pretty fair i think.

you can always go see the bass.... if its not what it appears to be, just dont take it. depending on how far it is, and how bad you want the bass, it may or may not be worth it for you.
 
#12
I have decided that it is a scam of some sorts. After Glen Fong told me that the photo of the back was of a Wan he sold four years ago and that the history of the bass the poster wrote about did not match his, I asked for more photos of the bass and I have not heard back since. He also said the bass was in San Diego as of now. I'm kind of bummed. If I liked it, I would've taken it. Oh well.
 
#13
I need to revive this forum for some more input on a bass I found on eBay that I'm hoping is real. It's a Johan Rauner either from the 1950s or 60s that the seller wants for $3500 (I would much rather play it and if it clicks with me rather than buy it sight unseen for a cheaper price if the auction doesn't go nuts IMO). I'm going to send this to my teacher and get his feedback as well, but the more the merrier! From the pics, I think it looks in pretty good shape, but I may be wrong. Thanks for any input!
http://m.ebay.com/itm/251501069300?nav=SEARCH
 
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#15
It's probably a Wilfer, Rauner is a brand name for west coast import basses, I think. Do a search on the forum. I have a Juzek labeled bass that looks very much like the couple of Rauner's I've seen pics of. If it is what is described, it could be a very good buy. Buying sight unseen and not luthier evaluated is very risky though, and I wouldn't go there myself. Best to go to LA and meet the owner at a bass shop for evaluation. Good luck!
 
#16
Sometimes we have people asking this question from South Dakota or Cyprus or someplace where they really don't have a lot of options. In So. Cal, you're resplendent with bass shops and local players selling instruments. I wouldn't buy anything off of eBay if I were you. If it's on ebay and a local sale, contact the seller and ask if you can come play it. He might cancel the auction and sell it to you or ask you to bid on it, but at least you will have seen it. EDIT: I looked past the photos and read his offer to "come see it and play it". Go check it out. Offer your teacher a lesson fee to go with you if you want extra confidence.


Just my $ .02.
 
#17
jazzcat_13 said:
I need to revive this forum for some more input on a bass I found on eBay that I'm hoping is real. It's a Johan Rauner either from the 1950s or 60s that the seller wants for $3500 (I would much rather play it and if it clicks with me rather than buy it sight unseen for a cheaper price if the auction doesn't go nuts IMO). I'm going to send this to my teacher and get his feedback as well, but the more the merrier! From the pics, I think it looks in pretty good shape, but I may be wrong. Thanks for any input!
http://m.ebay.com/itm/251501069300?nav=SEARCH
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That's a decent price for a good bass - *if* it doesn't have any issues.

Its a #169 ie. gamba shaped bass and the pickup is an Underwood, not a Fishman.

I can't imagine that it sounds its best with that ugly, crippled bridge, and the sound post is WAY off...

As Eric said, its a Wilfer - not top of the line but they knew what they were doing back then.

As Troy said, take your teacher and go and play it. If its healthy, make him an offer. If it has issues, subtract the cost of the issues from the asking price (new bridge with adjusters, sound post adjustment, loose bass bar, maybe fingerboard work?) and make him an offer.

I've seen a few Rauner labelled basses and they've all been nice. I have a Rauner #171 (Violin corners) and it sounds great! ;)

Good luck.
 
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#19
Jake deVilliers said:
That's a decent price for a good bass - *if* it doesn't have any issues.

Its a #169 ie. gamba shaped bass and the pickup is an Underwood, not a Fishman.

I can't imagine that it sounds its best with that ugly, crippled bridge, and the sound post is WAY off...

As Eric said, its a Wilfer - not top of the line but they knew what they were doing back then.

As Troy said, take your teacher and go and play it. If its healthy, make him an offer. If it has issues, subtract the cost of the issues from the asking price (new bridge with adjusters, sound post adjustment, loose bass bar, maybe fingerboard work?) and make him an offer.



Good luck.
Click to expand...


From what you saw Jake, how much do you think repairs may cost?
 

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