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Double Bass Need help - American Standard / King used bass

N

nebuer16

Jan 24, 2011
4
0
#1
Hi folks, I found an American Standard / King on CL for $400. Here is the description:

"Used 3/4 Size American Standard/King Upright Bass. Instrument is cosmetically challenged but playable. The neck has a crack which has been repaired. Sold AS IS for $400.00"

I'm not a bass construction expert, or really that knowledgable. I've been playing for 4+ years and am a good player but thats where my bass knowledge ends :help:

I've gotten zinged before buying a Kay for $600, so want to make sure if I buy this thing that it is going to be worth it. I would love some advice for what I should look for to see if this thing is worth it or not. Heres some specific questions I have, but any other thoughts that don't directly answer these would be greatly appreciated.

- Whats the best way to tell if the neck is skewed, at a bad angle, etc after it was repaired?
- neck was repaired with epoxy. Thoughts?
- How to find cracks, or other structural issues?
- I'm sure this thing will need a general tune up. Any tips on seeing if this is a decent bass without having good sound-post adjustment, string height, strings, etc?
- Any specific issues or things to look at for these basses in general? The owner doesn't know the year.
- Is it worth it?
 
#3
M Ramsey said:
Uploaded pictures will be a monumental help, in getting folks opinions here. Hard to say without them.

If you can, try to upload large, clear pic files.
Click to expand...

Really wish I could, the craigslist ad has really small pictures and you can't make out any detail. I'll call the seller and see if he can email some blown up pictures.

None the less, any help would be greatly appreciated! If I go out there and its questionable I'll shoot some photos and post them up.
 
#4
nebuer16 said:
- Whats the best way to tell if the neck is skewed, at a bad angle, etc after it was repaired?
- neck was repaired with epoxy. Thoughts?
- How to find cracks, or other structural issues?
- I'm sure this thing will need a general tune up. Any tips on seeing if this is a decent bass without having good sound-post adjustment, string height, strings, etc?
- Any specific issues or things to look at for these basses in general? The owner doesn't know the year.
- Is it worth it?
Click to expand...

Look at the bass straight on and see if the bottom of the fingerboard is equidistant between the f holes. If not, it is skewed. If the bridge is shorter, under 6 inches, it has an old school neck angle, which is fine if it doesn't bother you in terms of playability. The overstand will probably be short if this is the case, <1".

Look carefully for cracks, being a ply, it may not have any. Look to see if the laminations are separating anywhere. Look for a bulge in the back where the soundpost meets it. Tap all around the top and back by the ribs. If you hear a "clack" instead of a thud, there's an open seam. No biggy.

Check the bridge to see if it's warped. Check the fingerboard to see if there's any meat left on it and if there is an appropriate amount of scoop for your style of playing. New fingerboards are costly. If it's thin with too much scoop for you, you may need to replace it.

Play it and listen. Does it have a good sound you get excited about as is? Even checking on open strings will tell you something. If not, probably pass. If it does, take it to a luthier for a complete check up before you buy, if possible.

The cracked neck is one thing that would bother me...
 
#5
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Here is teh CL listing with pics. I Agree- if the neck was epoxied, that could be a problem- and an indication of how other repairs were completed.

Go to see it and take an experienced player or luthier with you to get a real assesment of it's wear and tear.
 
#6
>> - neck was repaired with epoxy...​
That in itself would make me very leery, first because if the repair ever fails it will be next to impossible to clean out the old glue, and second because it strongly suggests that whoever did the repair work was not particularly competent or knowledgeable.
 
#9
I recently bought a really good sounding American Standard and the cheap replacement german neck had a badly repaired heel crack. I'm going to ditch the bad replacement neck and get a nice old 7/8 german neck put in there. It should be a wonderful festival bass ready for hot, dry summer play by the time it's done in late spring.

Rebuilding the block area and modifying an existing original or replacement neck for proper projection, overstand, and a more friendly string length can make these old girls really fun to play and fine sounding plywood basses. If the body is in good shape, $400 is a good price. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.
 
#12
I drove there today to check it out. The bass has been through a lot, but general construction appears to be overall fine, of course except for the crack in the neck. The repair job was sloppy but its holds fine, and seems to be at the correct position. Strings, bridge, and endpin will all need to be replaced. Bridge and soundpost were in horrible adjustment, and strings were probably 20 years old, so it was hard to get a really good read but overall felt like a killer deal.

Wish I didn't post this up, it sold last night to somebody in... Oregon!!! I would have bought it for sure but they already accepted the payment. Guess I'll have to keep it a secret next time.
 
#13
nebuer16 said:
Guess I'll have to keep it a secret next time.
Click to expand...

Drag! I guess you can file that in the "ones that got away" category. After being away from bass for many years, I am just blown out that these guys are commanding the prices they are (that's not to say they aren't worth it, as I mention here). My first bass was pretty much identical to the one you saw, though it was in better shape, which is why I called about it (nostalgia). While it would have been a killer deal, the bass would have needed a lot of work.

Re: someone else getting the bass before you, well... that happens. Years ago I was into restoring Hammond organs. Man, when somebody had a line on a little old lady with a B3/C3/A100 she was looking to sell from her house, people got real secretive! You can't be sure posting here tipped off the buyer. Oh, and if you didn't think to do it, leave your name with the seller in case the Oregon deal falls through. That happens.
 
#14
Stev187 said:
Drag! I guess you can file that in the "ones that got away" category. After being away from bass for many years, I am just blown out that these guys are commanding the prices they are (that's not to say they aren't worth it, as I mention here). My first bass was pretty much identical to the one you saw, though it was in better shape, which is why I called about it (nostalgia). While it would have been a killer deal, the bass would have needed a lot of work.

Re: someone else getting the bass before you, well... that happens. Years ago I was into restoring Hammond organs. Man, when somebody had a line on a little old lady with a B3/C3/A100 she was looking to sell from her house, people got real secretive! You can't be sure posting here tipped off the buyer. Oh, and if you didn't think to do it, leave your name with the seller in case the Oregon deal falls through. That happens.
Click to expand...

That's how I ended up with my restoration bass. The original buyer failed to pay, and I got it for under $300.

I think it's a good idea. The buyer might balk at the shipping costs, which are usually around $200.
 
#15
He might, but don't hold your breath. Since the buyer is most likely a west coast dealer with an ear for coin, I'd doubt it. He'll restore it on the cheap, make it back in rentals, then profit with the eventual re sale. It's not a negative, it's just business.

Let it go, there will be a much better deal coming your way!
 

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