Double Bass is this plywood?

[dogdays]

good morning all
i'm transitioning from fretless electric and eub to upright. i looked at an upright yesterday that was represented (and priced) as fully carved.
since i'm an upright newbie and had no one along to advise me i took some photos of edges that look to me like they might be laminated sheets and black-painted f holes. as i understand it, this points to plywood. hiowever, when i give it a knuckle rap it knocked and rang rather than thudded. it is also okay arco and has decent sustain. the pizzicato sound has decent sustain and depth. i'm confused. any comments and advice would be great;y appreciated. i've attached some photos of the edges where where the top and the back join the bout. also of the dark painted f holes.

 

[Ed S]

I'm sure not seeing an obvious grain suggesting non-ply. And that dark stripe looks quite odd.

For future reference, I find the easiest place to see grain is on the upper shoulders near the heel. Essentially what you would be looking down at when playing.

Eager to hear what the pros have to say.

 

[Turnaround]

Sure looks like plywood to me.

 

[Sam Sherry]

Plywood top and back, no question.

I don't have to leap to the conclusion that the seller is actively dishonest -- lots of people don't know the lingo.
Y'know, "It's not liquid wood so it must be solid wood!"

 

[dogdays]

thanks a lot.
i actually still really like the sound and playability so i'm going to make a make a quite-a-lot-less offer.
just needs to be good enough to learn on.

 

[Ed S]

What kind of music are you playing? Ply would likely be fine for country, bluegrass, etc. Likely not what you'd want for classical and many higher level applications. Of course, one guy in my community orch section plays a Kay, and sounds much better than me. I'm starting to wonder if the issue isn't entirely the bass?

Willing to give any general idea about location and asking price? No label inside? Better pics would give better info: heel; scroll; bridge; tailpiece/endpin...

 

[Turnaround]

There are some distinct advantages to a plywood bass over a carved one. They are generally stronger and less susceptible to damage from a bump. But most of all, they are far less prone to damage from low humidity conditions. Or high ones.

Interestingly, plywood basses are more often referred to as laminates. Sounds better, I guess.

 

[dogdays]

What kind of music are you playing? Ply would likely be fine for country, bluegrass, etc. Likely not what you'd want for classical and many higher level applications. Of course, one guy in my community orch section plays a Kay, and sounds much better than me. I'm starting to wonder if the issue isn't entirely the bass?

Willing to give any general idea about location and asking price? No label inside? Better pics would give better info: heel; scroll; bridge; tailpiece/endpin...

There are some distinct advantages to a plywood bass over a carved one. They are generally stronger and less susceptible to damage from a bump. But most of all, they are far less prone to damage from low humidity conditions. Or high ones.

Interestingly, plywood basses are more often referred to as laminates. Sounds better, I guess.

yeah I was thinking that too. less worry and all I really need at this point is a thumper. just a little annoying that I was told it was fully carved. and this was at a local string Instrument shop.

 

[dogdays]

What kind of music are you playing? Ply would likely be fine for country, bluegrass, etc. Likely not what you'd want for classical and many higher level applications. Of course, one guy in my community orch section plays a Kay, and sounds much better than me. I'm starting to wonder if the issue isn't entirely the bass?

Willing to give any general idea about location and asking price? No label inside? Better pics would give better info: heel; scroll; bridge; tailpiece/endpin...

right now I can make do with a thumper, it doesn't have to sing. I'm in the Cleveland area, asking 3k. I could grab a few more photos later on today if necessary.

 

[dogdays]

right now I can make do with a thumper, it doesn't have to sing. I'm in the Cleveland area, asking 3k. I could grab a few more photos later on today if necessary.

What kind of music are you playing? Ply would likely be fine for country, bluegrass, etc. Likely not what you'd want for classical and many higher level applications. Of course, one guy in my community orch section plays a Kay, and sounds much better than me. I'm starting to wonder if the issue isn't entirely the bass?

Willing to give any general idea about location and asking price? No label inside? Better pics would give better info: heel; scroll; bridge; tailpiece/endpin...

it's a new Cleveland,patterned after the old reliable American Standard.they make carved hybrid and play basses.

 

[dogdays]

ply basses

 

[Clyde Stats]

If it is indeed a New Standard Cleveland bass in good condition, $3K would be a great price even if it is laminate. I have a New Standard Cleveland hybrid, and it is my “forever” bass. Depending on the type of music you play and how far you go with it, this might be your “forever” bass.

 

[Ed S]

Yeah - the NS Clevelands are serious instruments. But since they already seem to have misinformed you that it was carved, I'd expect SOME documentation that it is, in fact, a NC.

 

[eh_train]

... I was told it was fully carved. and this was at a local string Instrument shop.

A string shop told you it was carved!? They really should know better. Either that, or they really should be more honest!

 

[LHbassist]

It looks like a plywood top for sure. Sharper photos, and some of other areas of the instrument would help a bit. Plywood basses are great for doing many things. Students, traveling, and amplifying. Also, if you simply do not want to bother keeping it in a perfectly controlled home environment.. they're pretty low maintenance.

 

[dogdays]

yeah, that's what I thought too.

A string shop told you it was carved!? They really should know better. Either that, or they really should be more honest!

 

[stretch80]

...and a good plywood bass can be just what you want. Mine plays and sounds great for the (almost all amplified) jazz and americana gigs I do, better than some friends carved basses. And in this cold dry winter, I've been glad not to worry too much.

 

[kevmoga]

Like a couple of others said, the laminate New Cleveland is highly thought of, almost an insult to call it “plywood”. And while I understand your disappointment that it was misrepresented as a carved bass, believe me, at 3k it is not priced like a carved bass.

 

[dogdays]

really appreciate all the helpful comments. so I get the idea. it's a nice low maintenance giggable bass that could work long term. in a way I hate to give that shop any $, but if I can come away with a good bass for a reasonable price then I have it and they're out of my life forever. certainly won't have anything positive to say about them if any musician friends ask me. thanks again, you guys rock!