Double Bass Poly finish on W German factory basses

[Jeff Farley]

What years did German bass factories begin using poly finishes on solid wood basses? I'm looking at a West German bass (so pre 1990) that apparently has never been played much. It has a very thick and shiny finish including on the back of the neck. It looks to me a lot like the finishes that were used for Martin and Fender guitars starting in the late 60's and early 70's.

 

[jmpiwonka]

Nice spirit and oil varnishes can look similar to your picture.

It doesn’t look bad to me.

 

[LouisF]

If you had a few more pictures it would help. No label? Possible options,

https://www.thedoublebassroom.com/product/c-a-gotz-1982-hand-carved-swellback-west-german-7-8th-bass/#iLightbox[product-gallery]/9

But it was the East German shops that had most of the poly spray (like Musima). It could have been refinished. Just guessing. More pics would help.

 

[Jeff Farley]

If you had a few more pictures it would help. No label? Possible options,

https://www.thedoublebassroom.com/product/c-a-gotz-1982-hand-carved-swellback-west-german-7-8th-bass/#iLightbox[product-gallery]/9

But it was the East German shops that had most of the poly spray (like Musima). It could have been refinished. Just guessing. More pics would help.

 

[Jeff Farley]

Unfortunately the other pictures dont' show just how glossy the finish is. It looks nothing the Gotz bass you posted. The finish is very thick and it's particularly noticable on the back of the neck which is also finished in the same thick gloss finish. It also looks like a brand new bass even though it must be at least 35 years old.

 

[jmpiwonka]

The carving on the top at the f hole looks nice too.

Can you post some non-closeup photos so we can see the whole bass?
Front back side etc.

 

[LouisF]

I had a community orchestra rehearsal tonight . Two of the old players had 19870s/80s German "shop" bass (Gotz/Pfretschner/Wilfer/Roth-type). The varnish is fairly thick and "amberish". You sure there's no label?

 

[Bitters]

I think this is @Andrew Furlong 's bass for sale, he may be able to give additional insight, but I think it was a Hofner.

 

[LouisF]

Hofner sounds right in the "(Gotz/Pfretschner/Wilfer/Roth-type)" category.

 

[Don Kasper]

I've assembled and finished a few BG necks with Marine Varnish (GLOSSY) on the neck, which is very "grippy" to the touch.
I solved this by using #1500 grit sandpaper (3M automotive) and WET Sanding (with H20), which does a nice job of making it much smoother to the touch.
I also use #1500 sandpaper on the (unfinished?) neck of my Juzek, which was noticed IMMEDIATELY by Lisa Gass at LA Bassworks (a few years ago) who asked how I got the neck that smooth. (I gave her my secret for FREE).
Don't be scared - #1500 sandpaper does not REMOVE material, it only polishes and smooths the surface.
It is beautiful stuff.
No Charge for this info!
Thx.

 

[turf3]

Ewwww, that thick overly glossy finish. Totally not a fan. I think I'd be going after it with some 0000 steel wool.

 

[Jeff Farley]

If you had a few more pictures it would help. No label? Possible options,

https://www.thedoublebassroom.com/product/c-a-gotz-1982-hand-carved-swellback-west-german-7-8th-bass/#iLightbox[product-gallery]/9

But it was the East German shops that had most of the poly spray (like Musima). It could have been refinished. Just guessing. More pics would help.

 

[Jeff Farley]

Here's another closeup shot of the finish that shows how thick and glossy it is. It really looks like a sprayed on finish that is now common on lower priced instruments.

 

[jmpiwonka]

Not sure that looks extremely thick.
How smooth the grain is under the finish can also be affected by how smooth the wood scraped before finishing.

The edges look nice. The wood looks nice in the ribs…in the weirdly framed that have been given to us.

Do you have a full shot of the front back and sides?

 

[Jeff Farley]

I had a community orchestra rehearsal tonight . Two of the old players had 19870s/80s German "shop" bass (Gotz/Pfretschner/Wilfer/Roth-type). The varnish is fairly thick and "amberish". You sure there's no label?

No there doesn't seem to be a label for the brand name. If the basses in your orchestra had that kind of varnish that makes sense as I think the bass I'm looking at is probably from that era and has hardly been played.

 

[Jeff Farley]

I think this is @Andrew Furlong 's bass for sale, he may be able to give additional insight, but I think it was a Hofner.

Yes this is Andrew's bass but he doesn't have much information about the history or age of the bass. He apparently bought it from an estate sale and not from the original owner.

 

[Jeff Farley]

Ewwww, that thick overly glossy finish. Totally not a fan. I think I'd be going after it with some 0000 steel wool.

That would be the first thing I would do to the bass if I bought it.

 

[Jeff Farley]

Not sure that looks extremely thick.
How smooth the grain is under the finish can also be affected by how smooth the wood scraped before finishing.

The edges look nice. The wood looks nice in the ribs…in the weirdly framed that have been given to us.

Do you have a full shot of the front back and sides?

The glossy thick quality of the finish does't show up in the photos of the entire front and back of the bass. I was very surprised at how different the finish looks in person compared to the photos.

 

[LouisF]

If it's anything like the 2 basses in the community orchestra you will be fine. Both players do jazz puzzles etc as well as orchestra arco.

 

[LouisF]

Jazz pizz. Not puzzles!