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Double Bass identifying this bass

#21
obviously!but i still have a hard time finding out about where and when this bass was crafted.somebody must know
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What's the point, it's needs a belt around the maple fingerboard to play right.

If you want to know who made it ask the guy you bought it from or take it to a luthier. You can't post a couple of images of a beat-up doghouse and expect any more info that you've already gotten. Normally basses have labels inside that tell who made them, if yours doesn’t your probably out of luck.
 
#23
Some basses you probably can't track down. Like you, I would love to know more about my bass. The Label says "Anton Schuster, Germany, hand made" I was told it was made in 1962, but as we know, in 1962 there was no just "Germany." However, some other bases with the same name have a second label saying "American sector" in them. The English label says it was made for export and maybe the label was put on over here. My bass has all the earmarks of being an inexpensive factory laminate bass. The fret board and tail peice are ebonized pearwood or something like that. About all I can find is a few other people with Schuster basses also looking for more information.

You are probably in the same boat. Look in Europe for other basses with a size and finish like yours. Watch for a repeat of those f holes. That should help you date the instrument. Know for sure if the top is carved or plywood. That will be important if an expensive repair is needed. Keep looking and asking older bass players and luthers who might be aware of what was being marketed 40 to 60 years ago. In the mean time, if it speaks to you, enjoy your bass, strap and all.
 
#29
"Fretboard" Oops! the FINGERBOARD, we mean. Guess you can tell who has mostly fretted instruments. I don't know why a fingerboard bends up, but I'd like to hear so I can prevent it.

As for plywood or carved, if the top is chipping in layers, the answer if obvious. Otherwise, take a close look at the edges. On plywood you can sometimes see the layers, depending on the finish. On a carved, you will see the grain coming around the top just as you would with a solid piece of wood.
 
#30
All fingerboards bend up on the playing surface to some degree. The curve is planed in.
The non-playing side should be perfectly straight.
Putting a strap around the bass is just dumb. It isn't going to correct anything and will probably choke the life out of the tone.

You guys should read every word of this: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43376
 
#32
it may be a dumb thing to do soundwise,but it certainly allows the strings to come a lot lower without buzzing.thank you though,for pointing out that it could kill tone.i haven´t thought of that,but it seems logical.the tone is also better(in my opinion that is)with a little higher action,but it seems i have to wait until the fingers get stronger.
 
#34
This bass looks just like one of my Russian basses, same f-holes, same strange ratio between upper/lower bout, non-ebony fingerboard. It's got a carved top and back and is quite well built. Bought it in '95 from a friend who after the fall of the Iron Curtain emptied out the warehouse of a Russian musical instrument factory. The bass even came with a 'passport', stating it was built in '85. My own NOS bass... Sorry I can't read the label in the bass, my Russian language skills are non-existing. Oh yes, I paid 'bout 300 Euro's for it!
 
#35
neslofalo said:
it may be a dumb thing to do soundwise,but it certainly allows the strings to come a lot lower without buzzing.thank you though,for pointing out that it could kill tone.i haven´t thought of that,but it seems logical.the tone is also better(in my opinion that is)with a little higher action,but it seems i have to wait until the fingers get stronger.
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Here's my advice. clink is quite correct that putting a strap around a bass with rags underneath is almost certain to choke the vibrations that would generate nice tone. Gosh, that seems self evident given that a DB is a resonating wood cavity. Decide whether you are going to keep the bass. If so, then get it fixed the right way quickly. If not, sell it quickly.
 
#37
Carl Johnson said:
Or you can just leave the strap, paint it olive drab with red stars all over it. Piss off all the old people in the village. But what ever you do don't remove the shure mic from the bridge, nice touch.
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...or replace the strap with this universal stabilizing material:

Link Removed


;)
 
#39
clink said:
Don't knock the tape. I've seen it used on more than one bass to keep open seams on a lower bout from buzzing.
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I love duct tape! I wouldn't have it on my bass. Would you? :)

The universal solutions:
If you have something that is not supposed to move and does, use duct tape.
If you have something that is supposed to move and doesn't, use WD40.
 

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