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Double Bass Found in the Attic

carlopetro

carlopetro

Oct 21, 2007
37
0
Regina, Saskatchewan
#1
Today I was contacted because an old bass was found in a friend of a friend’s attic and the owner wanted to know if this instrument could be brought back to life.


More photos:
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The story behind the instrument is that the owner worked as a lighting tech for the venue of our local symphony. (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) and some time in the 80's he was to throw it out in the trash along with other items in the Orchestras storage space. The owner asked if he could have it as at the time it was a functioning instrument. He then put it in his garage attic for storage. Well 30 some years go by and while cleaning out the attic because he is now moving from the house he finds the bass.

The instrument was left with the tension on and no protection from the elements. Here on the prairies the summers are hot and dry with winters that are brutally cold and even dryer. As you can see from the photos the bass basically disintegrated.

I told the owner that I would place it on the forum to see if anyone had any ideas if this instrument was worth putting back together.

The bass seems very small to me the length of the body is around 44" and the width of the lower bout is around 25". There are no id markings or labels on it.

That’s about it, any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
 

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#3
Well....if I found it, I'd be pretty excited, but.....

It can be brought back to life, at a considerable amount of time invested. It would be cost prohibited unless done by a luthier (or learning luthier) for their own benefit.

You basically just found a rusted out, completely derelict old VW bus and that glimmer in your eye wants to bring it back to the summer of love...Do your homework, ask a lot of questions, get yourself a copy of Chuck Traeger's bass repair book, and find a good mentor to help you through the long, long, long project or put it on ebay as a parts rig...

j.
 
#4
carlopetro said:
Today I was contacted because an old bass was found in a friend of a friend’s attic and the owner wanted to know if this instrument could be brought back to life.


More photos:
Invalid Link Removed


The story behind the instrument is that the owner worked as a lighting tech for the venue of our local symphony. (Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada) and some time in the 80's he was to throw it out in the trash along with other items in the Orchestras storage space. The owner asked if he could have it as at the time it was a functioning instrument. He then put it in his garage attic for storage. Well 30 some years go by and while cleaning out the attic because he is now moving from the house he finds the bass.

The instrument was left with the tension on and no protection from the elements. Here on the prairies the summers are hot and dry with winters that are brutally cold and even dryer. As you can see from the photos the bass basically disintegrated.

I told the owner that I would place it on the forum to see if anyone had any ideas if this instrument was worth putting back together.

The bass seems very small to me the length of the body is around 44" and the width of the lower bout is around 25". There are no id markings or labels on it.

That’s about it, any thoughts?

Thanks in advance,
Click to expand...

Looks like the usual wear and tear, not too bad :)

The first thing that caught my eye was the tuners - they seem to be in a good shape. Whatever you do, save those, at the minimum.

It would be really cool to restore it (more like build a new bass), but the person would really have to be into basses.

What's up with the top braces, perpendicular to the bass bar?

George
 
#6
You may be entering a world of pocket/purse pain. .... Just for curiosity sake I'd start light sanding the top to see what's solid and what comes thru. If that's OK I'd continue sanding then fitting to see what can be salvaged. While inquiring locally for a good repair guy. Might have to truck it to Saskatoon..... The worst would be to spend sanding time and learn something along the way.
 
#11
I would give it a try ( restoring it). There is something about a dog that's rescued from the animal shelter... always seems to be so grateful.
I do a lot of this kind of work because it's a great learning experience for myself. You won't make any money but if you approach it like a hobby ( just for the love of the challenge) it could be fun.

I'm not sure I have the quote accurate but " make no small plans they don't have the stuff to stir men's souls" Well I think this bass qualifies as a big plan.
 
#12
If you don't want it, put it on Ebay. Someone will want to breath life into it, or use it for a prop. My old neighbor would put wrecked, worn, and weathered items like that on display in his flower shop. Then he'd hang stuff for sale on it. Made for a cool display.
 
#13
Bassmickeyd said:
...While inquiring locally for a good repair guy. Might have to truck it to Saskatoon...
Click to expand...

Steve McLellan is the local repair guy. In addition to repairing stringed instruments, he plays bass in the local symphony. My wild guess is that he doesn't have time to waste on this.

Prairie winters are not only hard on instruments, they're also hard on vehicles (and me too).
 
#15
Hang onto it for the next time someone from the EBG side posts, "does any have an old bass that I could get started on for under $600? I'm pretty good with legos and things, so it doesn't have to be in good shape, I could fix it up and adjust the truss rod and stuff..."
 
#16
TroyK said:
Hang onto it for the next time someone from the EBG side posts, "does any have an old bass that I could get started on for under $600? I'm pretty good with legos and things, so it doesn't have to be in good shape, I could fix it up and adjust the truss rod and stuff..."
Click to expand...

I've got everything I need. Epoxy, super glue, a disc sander an old dresser, wipe-on polyurethane - and a backsaw. Furthermore, I made a cutting board in wood shop once that held together for almost two years. How hard can it be?
 

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