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Double Bass Reliable repair? --or-- Buying trouble?

eneye

eneye

Guest
Oct 29, 2011
60
9
SLO
#1
The photos attached are of an early 40's Epiphone B4 3/4 scale. A good, trustworthy friend of mine is selling it, giving me the first bid on it. I've spent at least 3 hours playing this instrument and it plays/sounds beautiful. I love it so far as how it feels/sounds/plays it's a perfect fit for me. That said, it does have damage and repair. She's clearly had some years. I don't care so much about the bass being 'pretty' but I do care about it being reliable and in reasonable playing shape. I'm not interested in spending $$$ only to spend $$ more.

There does appear to be some work on the neck joint but the most obvious scar is what appears to have been a cave-in or an excessive warp right where the bridge sits on the sound post (see pictures).

My friend has gone to ridiculous measures to show me up close inside and out (as you can see) but we both need expert eyes. So if you are or you know someone in the know, would you kindly link them? Thank you!!

You can see a wooden platform on the inner side and that the sound post now rests on a wooden platform and is actually about to slip off the edge of it!! (probably not good)

My question is: Can that sound post be tapped back into center? Is this repair visually acceptable or does it look like a hack job? If it's a hack job, what does this old girl need to be in tip top? Thirdly does anyone have a clue as to what this is worth on the street as is?

Much love and thanks in advance!
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#2
Yes, the soundpost (= 'tone bar') should be re-positioned, possibly to where the older marking is. Look at the back too, as well as the fit.

Looks like the top has once collapsed (in a fall onto the bridge??), and I leave it to the experts in this instrument to comment on the quality of the repair & local (SLO) value of the instrument. Depending on the price, your signature might be apt.

The strings you posted look like Presto Nylonwounds, but the silk colours don't match. Maybe Eurosonics have different colours, or they are something else altogether.
PS: or maybe your colour balance is off somewhere, the instrument also looks different in the other thread.
 
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#4
Ortsom said:
Yes, the soundpost (= 'tone bar') should be re-positioned, possibly to where the older marking is. Look at the back too, as well as the fit.

Looks like the top has once collapsed (in a fall onto the bridge??), and I leave it to the experts in this instrument to comment on the quality of the repair & local (SLO) value of the instrument. Depending on the price, your signature might be apt.

The strings you posted look like Presto Nylonwounds, but the silk colours don't match. Maybe Eurosonics have different colours, or they are something else altogether.
PS: or maybe your colour balance is off somewhere, the instrument also looks different in the other thread.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your thoughts! Yes, I agree, some type of collision happened. Tone Bar? I must have been half-asleep.... Edited...

It's the same bass, different set of photos, different light, different day. It most looks like the "further away" photo where you can actually see the bass in the "strings" thread. The current asking is under 3K USD but we're both trying to figure out if that's pie in the sky for what it will take to make sure this instrument is in it for the long haul. We're both friends and the goal is to be fair. I don't even know what the costs would be to get the sound post re-positioned properly so any advice from the people here is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
 
#7
Steve Swan said:
Am I really seeing a sound post positioned in the center of the top between the bridge feet? Is that the reason for the erupting volcano of wood pieces ready to burst out of the top like a replay of "Alien" ???
Click to expand...

I think so although it appears that a "platform" was added in order to disperse the pressure of the sound post over a greater surface area, you know, to keep the Alien in the chest cavity. Seeing the post that far off to the edge makes me uncomfortable. I'd love to know if there are any luthiers in the forum? Maybe I should repost in that section?
 
#10
Jeeeesus. I passed on a '38 American Standard with similar neck heel damage that had been repaired by my mentor and no kablammo destructo belly atrocities for a grand a few years ago.

This old girl is a car whose engine block cracked and was repaired with JB Weld and whose frame cracked and was welded. It might be worth $500 as a beater but 20 percent above market value is just silly.
 
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#12
BobKay said:
$3K? Wow comes to mind. I sold my '51 Kay M1B, in really good shape, i.e. no neck cracks, no crackers in top, ribs or back for $2.5K.
Click to expand...
Good to know and thanks! It's great to get case/points like this simply to understand the big picture. The guy who wants to sell it is very fair and he's just as interested to know what he has/what it's worth as I am.
 
#13
KUNGfuSHERIFF said:
Jeeeesus. I passed on a '38 American Standard with similar neck heel damage that had been repaired by my mentor and no kablammo destructo belly atrocities for a grand a few years ago.

This old girl is a car whose engine block cracked and was repaired with JB Weld and whose frame cracked and was welded. It might be worth $500 as a beater but 20 percent above market value is just silly.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your response! I can attest that the old girl does play/sound good but it's equally perspective building to receive comparisons such as yours where the real world and condition dictates a value. I personally like beaters but if the value isn't there, I agree it would be hard for me to justify. This is all great information so thank you again!
 

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