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Double Bass Should I even get it fixed?

B

Bass for Beef

Aug 11, 2005
103
3
39
Nebraska
www.myspace.com
#1
Hey heres a bass that an older gentleman is giving to me because he can no longer play as well as it's in disrepair. It has fought many battles. He said when he tried repairing it there was a repair tag from germany some time in the early 1900's. My main question though is should I try to get it fixed. I know its probably impossible but any luthiers have a value to the repairs they could estimate (I undertstand that it's almost impossible without really being there...but maybe form the pics.)
Also how much does it cost to take the top off and put it back in most cases(est)?

Just click view all images and then view as slide show
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9McuWTRs-e&notag=1]
 
#2
Around here (TX) you're looking at a minimum $600 to take off and properly replace a top. But that's the least of your worries here.

Hard to believe that's not the worse I've seen. But it's real damn close. The rule is that anything that has been broke can be fixed. Unless it's a correcting a bad repair, then it costs more.

To the crux of your question: Figuring how much a modern European carved bass will cost you versus the costs of the restoration of yonder bass, I'd consel against it.

Unless of course you have either great attachment or unlimited funds.
 
#3
Sorry Beef, but I don't think so......the banana shape as seen in the side view indicates that it has proven structurally inadequate in resisting the pull of the strings.
I don't think that the result would justify the expenditure, whether of time or money. Put it on the wall and play another bass.

The tuners are kind of cool though, and probably worth keeping.

Jake
 
#6
Bass for Beef said:
Hey heres a bass that an older gentleman is giving to me because he can no longer play as well as it's in disrepair. It has fought many battles. He said when he tried repairing it there was a repair tag from germany some time in the early 1900's. My main question though is should I try to get it fixed. I know its probably impossible but any luthiers have a value to the repairs they could estimate (I undertstand that it's almost impossible without really being there...but maybe form the pics.)
Also how much does it cost to take the top off and put it back in most cases(est)?

Just click view all images and then view as slide show
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=9McuWTRs-e&notag=1]
Click to expand...

Looks like it's in need of an extensive repair/overhall. Any clue as o wha the bass is? ANy lable? It looks pretty old and carved. May be worth it if it has some quality Mojo, but around here it would be expensive to do it right.

BG
 
#7
That looks like a factory blockless-wonder. The upper ribs are let into the side of the neck, and repairing/replacing the neck involves building a new spruce body block, then setting a new neck. $$$ Soundpost patch, rib repairs, new fingerboard (just a general idea from these few photos).$$$$ The repair costs could easily exceed the value of the bass... can you get this instrument visually inspected by a bass luthier?
 
#8
Since I was already in the process of buying a differnt upright I was thinking of trying my hand at some repair work. Though it might not be so successfull it's worth a shot to just mess around with...i mean it's free. I heard it prior to the door running into the top. Even with its shoty prior repairs it sounded very warm and deep
 
#10
I recently rebuilt a German 1920's or so Carved bass - In about the same condition if not worse. I bought it from my old school for $50 about 5 years ago and invested about $1,500 - $2,000 in parts, tools, and countless hours (6 months of 40+ hrs/wk - in the hallway of my tiny apt) I recently took it to John Michael Smith Luthier in MN and he quoted it (depending on me finishing it properly, the thing holding together after final setup, and it sounding to its full potential - which it easily might not) for $4,000 to $6,000. Maybe he was just being nice knowing this was my baby, but the project for me was a truly spiritual experiance. Don't be afraid of what people say. Take it and embrace it - if not to hold onto it for a couple of years when you find the energy, $$, and time to rebuild it yourself if possible. Remember - Take your time and ask lots of questions. The mimf form is a grat start and everyone here is super awsome!!! This might easily turn into a family hereloom for you... If not let me know if your interested in selling it!

Good luck!
 

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