DB Help: How to value, how to sell?

[Coytee]

Hi,

I realize this might be the wrong forum but this specific thread isn't the attempt to sell so I figured I'd keep it out of the classifieds. I hope that's ok.

Situation: I've got a friend who's no longer with us. He was a professional musician, played the double bass (or maybe it was just standup? I don't know)

It's a Lemur Music, Laguna 2007, Sunrise Series based on the tag inside of it. I can't belive how hard it was to get in there to read the tag, finally, I grabbed my dang chain saw and cut the box open to get to it!!

Ok, I didn't

Anyways, the executor of his estate (his niece who's as clueless as I am) wants to sell not only his bass but he has a fretless bass (as in guitar type) that they want to sell and again, we know NOTHING about these things.

how does one get a "high, low, average" idea of what these might sell for on the used market?

Also, if it helps to know, it has a case with it. Interestingly, I didnt look to see if there was a bow and now, I'm kicking myself.

I'll see if I can attach a picture of the bass as well as the guitar. The guitar said "Bartolini" on the pickup part. I originally presumed that was the brand/manufacturer of the guitar but now I think I'm wrong in that logic.

I appreciate any thoughts you might have.

Richard

 

[Marcus Johnson]

That is the most precarious double bass balancing spot I've ever seen.

 

[Coytee]

That is the most precarious double bass balancing spot I've ever seen.

Like I said...I know nothing about these!!

I pulled it out of the carrying case, set it up, took about 3 pictures (front/back and one closer) and put it back into case on the floor.

Threat is now over

 

[Paul Warburton]

I'm gonna ask a serious question here. Do you know what a sound post is? Did you install it before you set the bass up? If you DIDN'T install the sound post...Immediately detune the bass to take pressure off the top or the bass may be seriously damaged.

 

[eh_train]

Hi,

Valuation is made much easier because it's a new bass, probably still available from Lemur. Whatever it originally cost, you might figure on a used price of 75% of the original price if it's in really good shape, or 50% (or less) if it's been damaged or worn out. Probably, it's in good shape if it's only 1 year old...

The electric looks "home made", but possibly a nice instrument. The ebony fingerboard would appeal to some, but many electric bassists only play fretted instruments. Bartolini is the name of the pickup manufacturer, and they're usually well regarded.

You can post instruments on both the double bass and electric bass side of the forums.
Good luck,

Paul (Eh_train)

 

[eh_train]

For what it's worth, I think Coytee means "I SET THE BASS UP on it's end", rather than "I SET THE BASS UP" (i.e., fitted the sound post, cut and fitted a bridge, planed the fingerboard, adjusted the nut, etc...). I suspect it was actually "set up" at Lemur...

My 2 cents,

Paul (Eh_train)

 

[Coytee]

I'm gonna ask a serious question here. Do you know what a sound post is? Did you install it before you set the bass up? If you DIDN'T install the sound post...Immediately detune the bass to take pressure off the top or the bass may be seriously damaged.

I have no clue what a sound post is. I'd speculate it might be the foot on the bottom? (clued in by the word 'post'?)

If not that, I'd speculate it's the little vertical piece that actually holds the strings up?

either way... It's not mine, I know nothing about it, I took it out of the case exactly as you see it in the picture and I put it back exactly as you see it.

I'd be interested to know if there is an unknown issue. One thing I'm not telling thusfar in this thread is the owner committed suicide. If he should have done something to the piece to protect it, I'd doubt he was worrying about that when he did his deed so any help would be good.

Unfortunately, I do not have access to his place and his niece (executrix) lives almost 3 hours out of town...bottom line... it's going to be sitting in its case like that for a while longer, no matter what the reality you enlighten me to, is.

I'd like to know though.

 

[Coytee]

For what it's worth, I think Coytee means "I SET THE BASS UP on it's end", rather than "I SET THE BASS UP" (i.e., fitted the sound post, cut and fitted a bridge, planed the fingerboard, adjusted the nut, etc...). I suspect it was actually "set up" at Lemur...

My 2 cents,

Paul (Eh_train)

You are correct, I set it up as in, stood it up on end for the pictures and that is all.

I hope that alleviates any concerns for it? It's a pretty piece and I'd hate something happen to it. Well, other than perhaps my chainsaw....

 

[Paul Warburton]

I have no clue what a sound post is. I'd speculate it might be the foot on the bottom? (clued in by the word 'post'?)

If not that, I'd speculate it's the little vertical piece that actually holds the strings up?

either way... It's not mine, I know nothing about it, I took it out of the case exactly as you see it in the picture and I put it back exactly as you see it.

I'd be interested to know if there is an unknown issue. One thing I'm not telling thusfar in this thread is the owner committed suicide. If he should have done something to the piece to protect it, I'd doubt he was worrying about that when he did his deed so any help would be good.

Unfortunately, I do not have access to his place and his niece (executrix) lives almost 3 hours out of town...bottom line... it's going to be sitting in its case like that for a while longer, no matter what the reality you enlighten me to, is.

I'd like to know though.

Man! You got enough material there for me to take this thread way into the distant future.....
Don't worry boys. I won't do it......
Well maybe, if certain things fall into place.

Things are starting to fall into place.....

 

[Paul Warburton]

I'm gonna ask a serious question here. Do you know what a sound post is? Did you install it before you set the bass up? If you DIDN'T install the sound post...Immediately detune the bass to take pressure off the top or the bass may be seriously damaged.

SEE? I was tryin' to be serious.

 

[bassmodder]

That's a good looken bass! Both of em.

I am gonna go take mine for a "walk"

 

[drurb]

I have no clue what a sound post is.

Take a look here. The discussion is geared toward a violin but the principles are the same. By the way, the ebony hatpeg tuners on the Laguna were, to my knowledge, not standard. The owner likely paid extra for those.

 

[Brent Nussey]

Hi Richard.

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. The soundpost thing is probably alright. It's just a wooden post inside the instrument that acts as a fulcrum for the bridge (the part that holds the strings up) to pivot on. But it also supports the top, and stringing the bass up to tension without it in it's proper place could damage the bass severely. But from your story, I'd bet it's fine. Might take a peek to make sure the next time you check the bass out. Also, and maybe tell the niece this, before the next time you take the bass out of it's case, check for the bow. Often bows are put in an outside pocket of the case, and sometimes there's no reinforcement, so that if you remove the case with the bow in there, you could snap it like a twig.

For valuation, I think Paul (eh train)'s comments are on the money. Just to take it a step further, here's the bass: http://www.lemur-music.com/double_bass.asp?bass=9
and it's pricing: http://shop5.mailordercentral.com/l...AGUNA-Double-Bass-3_4-Size/productinfo/BA124/

About the electric, if it is a homemade instrument, or custom made but without a brand/known maker, you may have a hard time getting much for it. I'm not really qualified to value it, but I will tell you that a few years ago I had a fretless bass that was built from aftermarket parts by a friend of mine, it was really a top notch bass. Some years ago when I stopped playing electric bass, I tried to sell it, and no one would touch it, even though it was an obviously nice instrument. No dealers were interested and private buyers wouldn't come close to what I thought was a fair price. So when I found a young player who really liked it, I let him have it for next to nothing. Some years later I sometimes think I should have kept it, but when I think of how that kid loved the bass, I don't mind. All this is to say that if your friend built the bass or had it built, maybe it's better to let it go to a kid who will love it and play it, rather than to someone who will strip it for parts and toss the rest out. Just something to think about.

Best of luck.

 

[dchan]

^ I like your story about your old bass guitar, Brent. It kinda illustrates the difference between the DB side and the BG side - it explains why BG players who come around here ask which brand of DB is good rather than actually going out and playing as much as possible.

 

[Bass Barrister]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. I'm sure his sister appreciates the help in getting estate matters settled.

If the executrix is required to schedule this as estate property, the value should be established by a qualified expert. This means taking the bass to a luthier and obtaining an appraisal in writing. This will cost the estate about $100 - $150. For what it's worth, Lemur lists the Laguna model at $2,750.00 There's your starting point. Actual value depends on condition but this is not a rare high-end instrument that will appreciate significantly.

The same advice goes for the other bass. As mentioned though, it may be hard to value but a shop dealing with these kinds of instruments will be able to figure something out.

 

[Coytee]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. On the little bass (guitar), I think I saw a little plate on it. Maybe 3/4x2" or something... it had some numbers engraved into it, suggestive of a serial number.

I didn't see any name what so ever on it, other than the Bartolini which when I saw it, made me presume that was the manufacturer of the whole thing. Poking around the internet, I think I now realize the Bartolini is just the pickup part(s).

I don't think she has to do a formal listing of this stuff for his estate. Not sure, but don't think so. Just need to raise some cash so she can finish settling the estate (gotta pay Uncle Sam his cut :scowl

 

[Marcus Johnson]

There's been a fair amount of discussion of the "Sunrise" basses here. you could do a search on it in the archives. Lemur still sells a variety of them at different price levels, based on the construction and fittings.

That BG has me stumped, but I can't keep track of all the slabs on the market anymore.... you probably want to post a pic over in the slabs forum. Maybe another shot with the headstock pictured. Every time I've played a slab with Bartolini p'ups, I've enjoyed it.... I like 'em.

 

[Coytee]

That BG has me stumped, but I can't keep track of all the slabs on the market anymore.... you probably want to post a pic over in the slabs forum.

Gotta like some of the words we use... I presume the slab means the body of the guitar?

I've not looked yet and won't for while, (wife calling me to go dance with the vacume for a while )

BUT.. is the "slabs" forum called the slab forum or something other, so I'll know it's the right one?

 

[Marcus Johnson]

BUT.. is the "slabs" forum called the slab forum or something other, so I'll know it's the right one?

Sorry...bass guitar forum. They know a whole lot about bass guitars, it's astounding. Contrary to popular DB opinion, they're some really intelligent and funny mofos.

"Slabs" is shorthand for bass guitars over here. Pisses the slabbers off. I play slab AND double bass. They get pissed anyway. They get back at us by wandering in here, lost, or calling our instrument a "standup bass". Barf.

 

[Coytee]

They get back at us by wandering in here, lost, or calling our instrument a "standup bass". Barf.

uh oh...

Situation: I've got a friend who's no longer with us. He was a professional musician, played the double bass (or maybe it was just standup? I don't know)