Double Bass Old bass?

[Andy Mopley]

Hi there

I have been looking at a DB recently, on e-bay, described as an "old" bass. Would you say that the wooden tuning pegs are a representation of the age of the bass, OR they could have been retrofitted for show / for sale / as a scam? The item is at least 10 hours drive from me, so kind of not easy to get to.
I am conscious of the fact that there is no substitute for playing the instrument yourself.

Thanks all

 

[Sam Dingle]

you can buy those for about $300 and put them on any bass you want. So no that is not the only indication its an old bass. Is this your first bass? If so my suggestion is to get a quality plywood for around $2000 or less and learn how to play.

If you're looking to upgrade I think the best option is to play the bass. Spend a good amount of time. Depending on your budget (thinking it may be between $3000-$10,000) you can get a lifer.

As an example on how the year doesn't really matter, I enjoy my 1957 fully carved bass over my teachers 1920 fully carved bass. The feel of the neck on mine works for my hands, it has a different character to the sound etc. I'd skip over the bass in the picture and maybe look in the classifieds section to see if there are any basses near you.

 

[Andy Mopley]

Thansk bskts 247- the first part of your answer is what I was really after. I suspected as much. Thanks again.

 

[Steven Ayres]

Hatpegs with side plates are kind of unusual. Looks like the plate screws aren't exactly elegant. But you can have young tuners on an old bass, of course.

 

[Drgonzonm]

Hatpegs with side plates are kind of unusual. Looks like the plate screws aren't exactly elegant. But you can have young tuners on an old bass, of course.

ask for a picture of the binding. Look at transision points. If it's painted then imo it's lower quality.
If you travel be willing to step away.

 

[SAlcott]

ask for a picture of the binding. Look at transision points. If it's painted then imo it's lower quality.
If you travel be willing to step away.

It's not "binding". It's purfling.

Ask for more pictures, well-lit, showing the body front and back, both sides, a shot of the edge of the top showing laminated or carved, and a closeup of the purfling.

 

[Andy Mopley]

Another view...

 

[Drgonzonm]

It's not "binding". It's purfling.

Ask for more pictures, well-lit, showing the body front and back, both sides, a shot of the edge of the top showing laminated or carved, and a closeup of the purfling.

I bow to your superior knowledge.

 

[Sam Sherry]

I'll take a wild stab: Refinished Czech ply

Based on:
. Top curves look laminated
. Finish is "too clean to be true"
. Old tuners
. Scroll generally
. Pure guesswork

But I could easily be wrong. It won't be the first time today.

 

[eh_train]

I'll take a wild stab: Refinished Czech ply
. Top curves look laminated
. Finish is "too clean to be true"

Agreed. I've seen quite a number of older, just okay Czech ply basses with nice hatpeg tuners. Sometimes they're the best part of the bass. I'd look carefully at the pegbox where the fuggly screws are holding the tuning plates. It could mean there was a repair underneath those nice tuners.