Fretless 5 Curbow

I've been offered a luthite Curbow for $350. It is the burl finish with an ebanol fretboard. It appears to have some warp to the body as the action is a bit higher than I like and the saddles are bottomed out.

It was strung with rounds and is marked up, but I think it may buff out. There is a small chunk out of the back of the neck on the B string side about the size of a mouse bite near the 20th fret. The serial number is 7 digit beginning with a 9.

It looks pretty dirty - no case - dust build up is pretty thick and some corrosion on the bridge, but the screws all seem free. Body seems undamaged and "clean" under the dust.

Is this a decent price?

 

Some general pics of the bass.

Does this look like a 99 or a 09?

I'll try and get particular shots of the trouble spots. I'm interested in this bass, but not at this price - especially without a case.

 

Height of G string @ 14th fret. Body warp?

Factory spec is 5/64" to 3/32". I might be able to counter some of this by working on the relief. I doubt it has ever been adjusted and did look excessive.
I'm not about to crank on a bass I don't own which may or may not be up to adjusting.




Bridge shot - nice and clean huh




Lift off? I can push the bridge back down with the palm of my hand.



No screw for B string - observe corrosion on bridge


More of same on knobs - Bass knob and slap switch are both loose



Damage on neck. It doesn't look like the usual compression type of damage, more like a gouge.



Roundwound wear.




I've looked at the range of prices these have gone for in the last few years. It has ranged from a steal @ $25 to $3XX something. I'm not going to pay his asking price, it isn't worth it to me. This looks like a very nice deal for the buyer, but I do not think he'd go for this sort of price, and his is without a case too. Any thoughts on a fair - not insulting - offer for this bass?

 

Would you buy it at $350?

 

true

 

The sound was OK on it. Good B string, but the thing was almost impossible to play in tune. I picked up the bass in 98 - upright, and electric in 2009, but before that and concurrent with that I was a professional violinist. I can play an instrument without frets in tune if it is at all possible. This one is very hard to get there with.

 

OK this has me in rescue mode now. I'd like to get it for what it's worth and see if I can make it into a player, but the question is what is it worth on the open market. To the seller it is a $400 bass that he will let me have for $350 - this week. To me it is a $100 bass I'd take a chance on rehabbing.

Is my number in the ballpark of reality or is his vision of reality less deluded than mine?

Anyone care to share their unbiased opinion based on my presentation of the facts as I see them?