Double Bass Roth Questions

[Scotthayer]

I just bought a 3/4 Roth laminate and am a bit curious about it's history (but not curious enough to pay the company for this info). The label says Roth Bass, made in USA, catalogue number G-668 and serial number 74-34. Were these actually made in the US? The Roth website says something about "supplying" basses to the US. Any ideas as to what year it was built? The player I bought it from guesses it's about 50 years old.

If anyone can shed any light here I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks alot.

Scot Thayer
Saskatoon
Canada

 

[drurb]

I just bought a 3/4 Roth laminate and am a bit curious about it's history (but not curious enough to pay the company for this info). The label says Roth Bass, made in USA, catalogue number G-668 and serial number 74-34. Were these actually made in the US? The Roth website says something about "supplying" basses to the US. Any ideas as to what year it was built? The player I bought it from guesses it's about 50 years old.

If anyone can shed any light here I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks alot.

Scot Thayer
Saskatoon
Canada

Have you tried to ask the company? I doubt they'd charge you for the info. Gee, did they say they would?

 

[Nagrom]

Here's a bit of info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Heinrich_Roth

 

[Scotthayer]

drurb - yes, according to the Roth website they do charge a fee for providing information like this (60 euros seems to be the minimum charge).

Nagrom, thanks for the link. Interesting stuff.

 

[robert_stuart]

I just bought a 3/4 Roth laminate and am a bit curious about it's history (but not curious enough to pay the company for this info). The label says Roth Bass, made in USA, catalogue number G-668 and serial number 74-34. Were these actually made in the US? The Roth website says something about "supplying" basses to the US. Any ideas as to what year it was built? The player I bought it from guesses it's about 50 years old.

If anyone can shed any light here I'd sure appreciate it. Thanks alot.

Scot Thayer
Saskatoon
Canada

Do you still have the bass? I just bought a G668 from a pawn shop.

 

[Scotthayer]

Do you still have the bass? I just bought a G668 from a pawn shop.

Congratulations on your new to you Roth. Yes, I still have mine.

 

[robert_stuart]

Were you ever able to find out much about these basses? And does yours resemble mine?

NBD: Roth ( / Engelhardt?)

 

[Scotthayer]

Were you ever able to find out much about these basses? And does yours resemble mine?

NBD: Roth ( / Engelhardt?)

No, I never did find any more info. Here’s some pics of mine.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Ernst Heinrich Roth ran a violin shop in Germany which reorganized after WWII and is still run by his family. His son Heinrich Roth started a business in the US called Scherl & Roth that sold a wide range of instruments for the student market, the top of the line being German instruments from the shop bearing his father's name. Ernst Heinrich Roth double basses came in three grades, the lowest being a hybrid with laminated sides a carved top. This laminated bass was probably made in a US factory and sold under the Roth name. It may be fine instrument, but it's connected to the German shop in name only.

- Steve

 

[Scotthayer]

Wow, very interesting and enlightening. Thanks Steve!

 

[robert_stuart]

I can't wait to bring it in to Ross Double Bass and have him give me the side-eye — yet another inexpensive bass I'll want fixed up. I'm intrigued by it, as an American made inexpensive bass. It looks like Scherl & Roth are now simply one of many Germanic sounding relabeled Chinese bass importers.