Double Bass How old is this double bass?

[djoertel]

I've recently come into possession of this Kay double bass. It's seen better days, but I was trying to find out when it might have been made. I haven't found anything based off what I saw stamped on the inside. Just wondering if anyone might have an idea.

 

[tsarter]

apropos to nothing, but I'm just sitting here thinking of the persons who assembled that instrument some random afternoon back in 1947, if they had any inkling in their imagination that the bass would still be intact and playable 77 years later. carry on.

I imagine they felt their work would be around for many years.

 

[djoertel]

Again, thank you for the help figuring out the year. I, nor anyone that I know plays. I was looking to sell it, but after finding this thread, I have a newfound respect for these and don't want to just get rid of it. Any suggestions?

 

[tsarter]

Where are you located?

 

[djoertel]

Where are you located?

Southeaster WI

 

[Steven Ayres]

Again, thank you for the help figuring out the year. I, nor anyone that I know plays. I was looking to sell it, but after finding this thread, I have a newfound respect for these and don't want to just get rid of it. Any suggestions?

Location matters. Many basses are sold online (Ebay, Reverb, Craigslist), but finding the right buyer can be challenging outside the larger cities. If you have access to a full-service bass shop, they may be able to help you sell it with less hassle than doing it yourself.

 

[fdeck]

We have a nice bass shop in Madison:

Double Bass Workshop - Double Bass Workshop

Serving Madison, Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest.

doublebassworkshop.com

 

[Ed S]

Again, thank you for the help figuring out the year. I, nor anyone that I know plays. I was looking to sell it, but after finding this thread, I have a newfound respect for these and don't want to just get rid of it. Any suggestions?

I don't quite understand. What do you mean by, "don't want to just get rid of it."? Does that mean you don't want to sell it?

Depending on exactly where you are in SE WI, either the shop in Madison or one of the several on the N side of Chicago would be worth a trip for a valuation and potential consignment.

You say you just came into possession of it. Was it from a friend/family member? If you don't intend on playing it, an upright is a big old conversation piece - taking up a lot of space in most living spaces. Might honor whoever you got it from by getting it to someone who will play it, rather than just stand it in the corner.

 

[djoertel]

I don't quite understand. What do you mean by, "don't want to just get rid of it."? Does that mean you don't want to sell it?

Depending on exactly where you are in SE WI, either the shop in Madison or one of the several on the N side of Chicago would be worth a trip for a valuation and potential consignment.

You say you just came into possession of it. Was it from a friend/family member? If you don't intend on playing it, an upright is a big old conversation piece - taking up a lot of space in most living spaces. Might honor whoever you got it from by getting it to someone who will play it, rather than just stand it in the corner.

It was family friend's that he got from his father, but stopped playing when he was younger. He asked me if I could help him sell it (he's not technologically inclined). And I just mean that, after finding this forum and reading some other posts, I had an entirely new appreciation for this instrument and would like to see it go to a place that appreciates & respects it and its history. I live in the Milwaukee area.