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Double Bass My First Carved Bass

TPugh

TPugh

Apr 8, 2006
173
23
Jackson, TN
#1
How about a change of pace? I recently aquired this old solid bass from a session player in Nashville. It's my first venture into the realm of carved basses and I'm pretty excited about it.

It is an unlabled flatback believed to be of German (or some European) origin made around the late 1800's. The person from whom I got it had recently had some pretty significant work done on it by Dustin Williams' people in Nashville including a new bridge, new end pin, and several cracks repaired and stabilized. There are a few things that (much) longer term I may need to look into having done, but for now, I got really lucky enough to come across an old carved bass that has been brought to a new life that I will hopefully be able to enjoy for a while without any major issues.

I'm attaching photos and I'll be the first to admit, this bass isn't going to win any beauty contests any time soon. But, I'll gladly accept its' imperfections considering the deal I got and most importantly, how it sounds.

Any other thoughts of the bass' age and origin? Thanks in advance and Happy Easter.

Thomas

PS: Please excuse the poor photo qualities. I NEED a camera, I got a bass. :)


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#9
I think it's a great looking bass. Gobs O personality....and prolly gobs O sound. Yep, German or czech shop bass. (German more than likely as your guy said). Karl Hermann shop basses had that similar purfling loop on the back.
Looks like somebody added a few screws to sure up the tuning machine plates. Good idea.
Good move.
 
#10
Beautiful bass! It reminds me of an instrument I saw Dennis Crouch playing. I see more "hand made" than "shop" bass qualities when I look at the photos, but I'm not an expert. Yeah, lovely, and you scored! Thanks for sharing.:)
 
#13
Jason Sypher said:
Nice looking bass. Doesn't look shop to me. The ff holes are quite angled and the nicks are quite pronounced which gives it a more bohemian look. They're also way out to the edge which, combined with the asymmetrical shape could mean the whole thing was cut down from a larger instrument.
Click to expand...

Actually, at first look, it reminded me of your Yankee in terms of the F hole positioning, Jason. If you thumb nail the scroll shot you'll see the treble side machine plate peeking out at the top. These plates were put on the bass in later years, IMO.
I've seen more than one Hermann bass with this similar pattern though.
And, of course, old shop basses were carved. Or, "hand made".
 
#14
Thanks for the comments and thoughts everybody. Regarding the sloping contrast, I didn't notice it at first. The previous owner brought it to my attention. It's more pronounced at certain angles as you can tell. Thanks again!

Thomas
 
#19
Nice ..... Good For You T :D ..... Have Fun with it.

Didn't you have a special "Gobs of Cowboy Finish" Jackson Tennessee Kay at one-time :D ?? I liked that bass but couldn't buy it when it went-up for sale. Where did that bass ever end-up anyhow?? Not that it really matters now ...... Kays suck :p .
 

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