Double Bass the Pfretzschner, Lewis & Son 3/4

[ungearhead]

Hi all. I found this bass in an upcoming estate sale on fb for $1250. The label says the Pfretzschner made in Germany for Lewis & son, No. 228, 3/4, serial 79955. From the pictures, it looks vintage and in pretty good shape. Curious if anyone can provide an approximate age, any information, opinions, etc. Not much info on google. I'm not in the market for another DB, but ya know... Thanks for looking!
Greg

 

[Sam Sherry]

The "Pfretschner" name has been attached to German (and IMR Bohemian) basses imported into the US for over a hundred years.
That bass is nowhere near that old.
According to [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]Lewis & Son was bought by Conn-Selmer in 1995 and is now part of the Steinway Musical conglomerate.

Based on the lack of recurve the top looks laminated.
Based on the lack of recurve and the look of the wood near the label the back looks laminated.

The pics make it look like the wings line up in the f-holes, i.e. not showing top deformation.
Pics make it look like the bridge fits and isn't obviously warped. They make it look like the nut was fitted. If that's accurate, the bass got a setup at one point.
Pics make it look like there's a Romburg bevel -- the board is flat, not rounded, under the E string. My vague impression is that import basses tapered off* the use of the Romburg bevel around the turn of this century. (*Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

All that points in the direction of a sound plywood bass, possibly with a setup, possibly with an ebony board, plausibly 20-35 years old.
If somebody's looking for a starter or a beater that's a nice launching pad. And I hear that cash talks at estate sales.

But that's all guesswork. You can see the instrument; I can only peer over the internet at a few pics.
All the best with your quest!

 

[ungearhead]

The "Pfretschner" name has been attached to German (and IMR Bohemian) basses imported into the US for over a hundred years.
That bass is nowhere near that old.
According to [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]Lewis & Son was bought by Conn-Selmer in 1995 and is now part of the Steinway Musical conglomerate.

Based on the lack of recurve the top looks laminated.
Based on the lack of recurve and the look of the wood near the label the back looks laminated.

The pics make it look like the wings line up in the f-holes, i.e. not showing top deformation.
Pics make it look like the bridge fits and isn't obviously warped. They make it look like the nut was fitted. If that's accurate, the bass got a setup at one point.
Pics make it look like there's a Romburg bevel -- the board is flat, not rounded, under the E string. My vague impression is that import basses tapered off* the use of the Romburg bevel around the turn of this century. (*Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

All that points in the direction of a sound plywood bass, possibly with a setup, possibly with an ebony board, plausibly 20-35 years old.
If somebody's looking for a starter or a beater that's a nice launching pad. And I hear that cash talks at estate sales.

But that's all guesswork. You can see the instrument; I can only peer over the internet at a few pics.
All the best with your quest!

Thanks, Sam. That's a heck of a reply. Much appreciated!
I didn't get it. I already have a student beater, a gift from my parents, so no need even though this one is much nicer than mine.

 

[eh_train]

Late to the party, I realize.

Sam has it 100% right. The only thing I'd add is re the age.

It's clearly a sprayed on finish, something that crept in as a cost saving measure during the 70s ("I've got one word for you - plastics").