Double Bass Help ID’ing and valuing inherited DB

[creacycles]

Hi all,
I inherited some instruments and gear from my stepfather including an old flat back DB I know very little about. Theres a label inside that you can barely make out the beginning and end of the words “Antonius Stradivarius” and underneath that “Made”. From the limited info I was able to find this means its probably a German creation of who knows what era. I also seem to remember him saying back in the day that it is German. Any info from those more knowledgable would be much appreciated including any valuations. It seems like it might need some love. Not sure if the bridge is supposed to be bent like that… As much as it pains me to do so I will be selling the DB as I only play electric and he left me a few of those that I will keep.
There will most likely be future posts from me asking about other gear and instruments of his.
Thanks!

 

[Eric Hochberg]

It would be better if you took straight on pics of the front, back and sides of the bass.
The angles aren't too helpful. But, it looks like an older Euro shop bass that needs a new bridge,
at the very least. Take it to a good luthier and get an in person appraisal.

Look at some classifieds here and the way the basses are presented along with measurements.

 

[creacycles]

It would be better if you took straight on pics of the front, back and sides of the bass.
The angles aren't too helpful. But, it looks like an older Euro shop bass that needs a new bridge,
at the very least. Take it to a good luthier and get an in person appraisal.

Look at some classifieds here and the way the basses are presented along with measurements.

I will post some more pics tomorrow. Does anyone know any good shops/people to take it to in the Sacramento, CA area?

 

[Ed S]

No, the bridge is not supposed to be bent like that.

The bass has seen its share of wear. The heel/neck joint looks rough. Even if it is solid, it is ugly enough cosmetically that it will discourage some potential buyers/reduce the price. And looks like some seams will need to be re-glued. Possibly some cracks as well. Top looks carved. Are the sides and backs as well?

Not sure about Sacramento, but (by rep) Steve Swan near San Fran is as good as they come.

You'll need to get 2 appraisals - as is, and after how much in repairs.

Not at all my area of expertise, but I'd say you SHOULD be able to get that into the range of a $6k or more bass. Completely ignorant spitballing, but I'd guess $1-2k in repairs to get to that point. I wonder if you could find anyone to give you much more than $3k in its current state...

The other issue is, are you willing to wait for it to sit on consignment, or do you want a quick sale? I could see the benefit to selling it quickly as-is to someone who can make the repairs and take the profit. IMO, that would be a win/win for both you and the luthier/seller.

This is all just my complete WAG. I'm sure more knowledgeable folk will be along shortly...

 

[Mark_T]

No, the bridge is not supposed to be bent like that.

The bass has seen its share of wear. The heel/neck joint looks rough. Even if it is solid, it is ugly enough cosmetically that it will discourage some potential buyers/reduce the price. And looks like some seams will need to be re-glued. Possibly some cracks as well. Top looks carved. Are the sides and backs as well?

Not sure about Sacramento, but (by rep) Steve Swan near San Fran is as good as they come.

You'll need to get 2 appraisals - as is, and after how much in repairs.

Not at all my area of expertise, but I'd say you SHOULD be able to get that into the range of a $6k or more bass. Completely ignorant spitballing, but I'd guess $1-2k in repairs to get to that point. I wonder if you could find anyone to give you much more than $3k in its current state...

The other issue is, are you willing to wait for it to sit on consignment, or do you want a quick sale? I could see the benefit to selling it quickly as-is to someone who can make the repairs and take the profit. IMO, that would be a win/win for both you and the luthier/seller.

This is all just my complete WAG. I'm sure more knowledgeable folk will be along shortly...

Look at photos 8 and 14. The side view in 8 and the chip in 14 sort of says plywood to me, but it's hard to tell from a photo.

 

[eh_train]

It's an old German or Czech flatback bass, in really poor condition.

As mentioned, it desperately needs a new bridge. What you have on it is a 'potato chip' that used to be a bridge.

Among the things that take away from this basses value:

1) It has been stripped and refinished. The new finish looks like urethane. It might be shellac, which is slightly better than urethane, but not by much.
2) The back is plywood, so it's a hybrid bass. There are plenty of chips, some have obviously been filled with wood putty, some just covered over with the re-finish.
3) The neck has been re-attached in a sketchy manner. It could be useable, or it could break under the (substantial) tension required.
4) There is, or was, a large top crack in the lower bass side. This is near the bass bar, and one of the worst places to have a bass crack. It looks closed, but no telling how the repair was done unless it's properly inspected. The repair could be anything from "I poured some glue in" to "I took off the top, fixed the crack, and replaced the bass bar". The latter repair is much better than the former!

I don't see a 6k bass in here, at all. What I see is a bass that has been badly mistreated. It could make a good project for a beginning luthier (where the hours and hours of work don't matter), or it could possibly be played as is (with the understanding that it could bring a world of problems with it....).

That's what I see, anyway...

 

[mdcbass]

Is the name “Antonius Stradivarius” associated with basses?

 

[Mark_T]

Is the name “Antonius Stradivarius” associated with basses?

Yes but only by people after the fact trying to cash in on his name

 

[Ed S]

Look at photos 8 and 14. The side view in 8 and the chip in 14 sort of says plywood to me, but it's hard to tell from a photo.

I stand corrected. The top in pic 16 looked carved tome and, in my ignorance, I assumed fully carved. The back edges do look like the beat-to-poopie plys I'm more familiar with.

A lot of people consider mid 20th century European basses a sweet spot. I am unfamiliar with them. I'd lower my top end estimate by 1/3 to $4k. Unfortunately, the repairs would remain about the same, reducing the current state sale even more.

 

[bassmanbrent]

Is the name “Antonius Stradivarius” associated with basses?

That's not a real person as far as I know. The violin maker's name was Antonio Stradivari and he was not know to have made any basses. The label could be associated with an actual shop, but that information is probably lost to time...

 

[Contrabenjista]

Stradivari's latin name was Antonius Stradivariu, and his makers label was Antonius Stradivarius. (Obviously no relation to the many string instruments made centuries after his death.)

 

[Michael Glynn]

Does anyone know any good shops/people to take it to in the Sacramento, CA area?

Jeff Sahs has a good reputation.

 

[fdeck]

Is the name “Antonius Stradivarius” associated with basses?

He never made a bass. But there was a period of many years, when lots of cheaper violin-family instruments were labelled "copy of stradivarius" or even just "stradivarius." It was so widespread that it's kind of an inside joke. It also results in the occasional discovery of one in someone's attic, and great disappointment upon appraisal.

With that said, I wouldn't hold it as a negative. Beyond a certain age, each bass is judged on its own merits unless it's a true pedigree instrument.