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Double Bass Mea Culpa! Just looking for information...

C

ClubtoPub

Feb 28, 2020
14
8
#1
So...I am trying to find out if a bass my pal inherited is worth a 15 hour drive, rental vehicle, and overnight hotel stay (about $1000.00 total)...NOT NOT NOT trying to sell it!!! I posted in the wrong area and asked "what's it worth?" which I now know is a no-no. If it isn't worth at least that amount, it will become a piece of decor...

It was made (or purchased) in the 1970's, is a Matias Thomas 3/4 with a DeArmond pickup. No case, no cracks.
Screenshot_2020-03-01 ayessa rourke att net - AT T Yahoo Mail(1).png
Screenshot_2020-03-01 ayessa rourke att net - AT T Yahoo Mail.png
 
#5
There is probably a label inside the instrument that identifies the model. Get the model and Google it to find out what it is. If it is a current model you will be able to get the current retail price.

I found this page that offers Model 100 for ~$3,500, Model 30 for ~$1,800, and Model 20 for ~$1,370 (These are basically student level basses)

Search Results | Best Selection Of Musical Instruments And Music Accessories - Guaranteed Lowest Prices At Cascio Interstate Music


Depending upon where the bass is, you might be able to get it shipped for less than $1,000. Another option would be to have someone sell the bass on the owner's behalf.
 
#6
Wasnex said:
There is probably a label inside the instrument that identifies the model. Get the model and Google it to find out what it is. If it is a current model you will be able to get the current retail price.

I found this page that offers Model 100 for ~$3,500, Model 30 for ~$1,800, and Model 20 for ~$1,370 (These are basically student level basses)

Search Results | Best Selection Of Musical Instruments And Music Accessories - Guaranteed Lowest Prices At Cascio Interstate Music


Depending upon where the bass is, you might be able to get it shipped for less than $1,000. Another option would be to have someone sell the bass on the owner's behalf.
Click to expand...


No model number...the bass has been sitting in a house for over 30 years...the player once worked in Sinatra's orchestra...but with a different bass, I'm assuming, since this one seems to be a student model.
I looked into shipping...FedEx no longer ships these instruments and I couldn't find a freight carrier, so driving from Boston to NC seems the only option...really don't want to sell it if I can get it into the hands of my bass player for our jazz combo! My friend is giving it to me!

By the way...thank you to everyone on this forum for your input...appreciate ya!
 
#7
Based off the picture, it looks like it'd be worth checking it out.

I had a bass shipped from String Emporium in Arizona to Texas using Southwest airlines cargo. They have a facility in Boston and two in NC: Raleigh and Charlotte, not sure if those are anywhere close to where the bass is. Also if it's close to Greensboro, the Bass Violin shop may be able to help with the logistics of shipping.
 
#8
Hard to tell from your pics, but it's probably a plywood bass, meaning a modest value. If you had a solid carved top it might double the worth of the instrument. You can tell by looking at the edge of the top (Either plys are visible or solid grain, wrapping around the top, are visible).

If it's not worth it to make the trip, what about some sort of ride-share arrangement?
 
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#10
Dr. Love said:
I had a bass shipped from String Emporium in Arizona to Texas using Southwest airlines cargo. They have a facility in Boston and two in NC
Click to expand...

I've talked to Steve at the SE recently. He told me you have to be a 'known shipper' to use Southwest cargo, which isn't really viable for a one off situation like this. Unfortunately it sounds like his hands are tied when it comes to shipping other people's instruments too. Even vintage basses that he now owns. Apparently the TSA has tightened up on their restrictions about this kind of stuff and he can only ship new instruments that have come from the manufacturer direct to him.
 
#11
15 hours one-way or round trip? Looks worth it to me if it's the Romanian variety, though from the small picture the bridge looks quite crooked, which indicates to me that it probably hasn't seen a setup in a long time. Expect to spend at least several hundred bucks on luthier services and strings once you have the bass if you want it to be playable and encouraging.
 
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#12
unbrokenchain said:
15 hours one-way or round trip? Looks worth it to me if it's the Romanian variety, though from the small picture the bridge looks quite crooked, which indicates to me that it probably hasn't seen a setup in a long time. Expect to spend at least several hundred bucks on luthier services and strings once you have the bass if you want it to be playable and encouraging.
Click to expand...

15 hours one way with hotel room and rental vehicle...

Yes, it's been neglected.
 
#13
bassmanbrent said:
I've talked to Steve at the SE recently. He told me you have to be a 'known shipper' to use Southwest cargo, which isn't really viable for a one off situation like this. Unfortunately it sounds like his hands are tied when it comes to shipping other people's instruments too. Even vintage basses that he now owns. Apparently the TSA has tightened up on their restrictions about this kind of stuff and he can only ship new instruments that have come from the manufacturer direct to him.
Click to expand...

It's a real pickle!
 
#14
eh_train said:
Hard to tell from your pics, but it's probably a plywood bass, meaning a modest value. If you had a solid carved top it might double the worth of the instrument. You can tell by looking at the edge of the top (Either plys are visible or solid grain, wrapping around the top, are visible).

If it's not worth it to make the trip, what about some sort of ride-share arrangement?
Click to expand...

Thank you for that info...yes, it is most likely a plywood variety.
 
#19
ClubtoPub said:
No model number...the bass has been sitting in a house for over 30 years...the player once worked in Sinatra's orchestra...but with a different bass, I'm assuming, since this one seems to be a student model.
I looked into shipping...FedEx no longer ships these instruments and I couldn't find a freight carrier, so driving from Boston to NC seems the only option...really don't want to sell it if I can get it into the hands of my bass player for our jazz combo! My friend is giving it to me!

By the way...thank you to everyone on this forum for your input...appreciate ya!
Click to expand...
Might the bass be anywhere near Asheville, NC? James Condino may be able to assess and ship it for you.
 
#20
Keyser Soze said:
Try Roadie.com, kind of Uber for packages/cargo. I shipped an upright bass from one major Southeastern city to another for less than $200, a big amp for around $100.

I just entered "Charlotte" and "Boston" and "fits in an SUV" in Roadie.com's online form and it generated a quote of $373.
Click to expand...

Thank you for this info!
unbrokenchain said:
Where's the bass located? Maybe a short chain of TBers could get the bass to you?
Click to expand...
Steve Swan said:
Mathias Thoma is a distributor trade name. I have sold 1970s Mathias Thoma basses that were anywhere between a humble plywood model and a nice all-solid woods German shop bass. Itm could be anything in between. Happy Hunting !!
Click to expand...

Very interesting...I need to do more homework on it..
 

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