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Double Bass Need advice on this potential purchase

D

DannyNFLD

Aug 20, 2011
232
84
#1
I've been fiending for a double bass for years, but I live in a small island where very few pop up, and shipping to here would be substantial.

Just saw this one pop up. They don't know who made the bass. Any idea on what it is or if that's a fair price? Should I take the plunge?

What I know...

-'30s German Double Bass
-plywood
-3/4
-gamba style
-fully restored by local luthier
-strung with Helicores

$_59.jpg

$_59.jpg

$_59.jpg

$_59.jpg

$_59.jpg
 
#5
Looks laminate, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but should be less expensive than it would be in the same make/model/age/condition if it were not. I'm not the best at this, but I think that design on the button suggests Jusak.

If it's well setup, as advertised, it could be a good instrument for you. Values are tough and local market and supply and demand will dictate. "A small island" is not specific enough for us to do price comparisons for you, but ... I don't know ... between $2k and 4k? I realize that's a big range.
 
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#10
It looks a lot like a 50's Juzek ply I owned, which, I think came from the Lang workshop. Paid $1250, added a new bridge/fingerboard planing, setup, pickup. I sold it for about $1800 in a fit of housecleaning and consolidation, which was probably a mistake. It was a nice bass - a bit on the heavy side, but sounded great and played easily.
 
#12
I'm in Newfoundland, Canada. I scroll the used instrument classifieds almost daily and it's very rare to see a upright bass pop up. Last one was 2 years ago or so, and it was a beat up Stentor rockabilly one. The seller is asking $2000 Canadian. Apparently it's been fully restored by a local luthier. I'd love to have a cheap bass to mess around with but I don't want to spend 2k to have it fall apart or be somehow defective, and I don't know enough about double basses to know what to look for, unfortunately.
 
#13
Maybe find another upright player you trust to go with you to inspect the instrument? If you have never played the instrument, you really can't even give it an adequate test run and won't have anything to compare it to. For $2k, that sounds like a risky venture.
 
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#14
sean_on_bass said:
Maybe find another upright player you trust to go with you to inspect the instrument? If you have never played the instrument, you really can't even give it an adequate test run and won't have anything to compare it to. For $2k, that sounds like a risky venture.
Click to expand...

I wish I did know someone but unfortunately I don't, just fellow electric players like myself.
 
#16
You should most likely buy it, for the reasons below:

  • The top curvature seems intact
  • As Louis says, "pretty indestructible"
  • Nice purling, and spiffy design at the button
  • Ebony fingerboard (an old piece, probably much better than what you'd get on a new bass)
  • $2000 Canadian is $1500 USD (no, really!)

You should most likely buy it, for the reasons above.


Paul
 
#17
If it was "fully restored by local luthier" then I think it's a good buy, especially given your geography and supply problem. Simple solution to me is ask who the local luthier is and talk with him or her about the bass or arrange to get them a fresh look at it if it's been a while. You're at the lower end of a what a bass of reasonable quality should cost, so I wouldn't hold out for something cheaper if you're concerned about what you are getting.
 
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#18
robobass said:
...but something is seriously up with the fingerboard. Looks like a section under the E string near the nut has been broken off.
Click to expand...
I think that last photo didn't load properly or something when I saw it yesterday. Has it been changed? Now that section of the fingerboard looks in order, if a bit unfinished. I like that fat nut.
 
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#19
robobass said:
I think that last photo didn't load properly or something when I saw it yesterday. Has it been changed? Now that section of the fingerboard looks in order, if a bit unfinished. I like that fat nut.
Click to expand...

Ok perfect, I couldn't see what you were talking about. Glad to hear it's ok.

Will meet with seller on Saturday and will probably buy if it feels good
 
#20
Thanks for the advice all, I saw it on Saturday and I'm going to buy it tonight. Sounded great, at least to my ears. When the guy got it, it was in 3 pieces. Local luthier put it back together and restored it.
 

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