Double Bass Trying to identify this c1920s double bass

[BPM Strings]

I would say your bass is from the Voigtland region on Germany, of which Marknuekirchen is one of the main cities. I could be wrong, I'm no expert on the subject. The black line around the edge is painted on purfling. Normally purfling is inlaid, but on yours it was painted as a cost saving measure.

 

[Mark_T]

That’s interesting. So it’s painted ‘faux purfling’ on both plates. The top is carved. The back is flat and has a very smooth surface, with a differently angled flat section towards the neck.

Many flatbacks have that canted back section too, including mine. I assume the painted purfling is also a cost saving feature. I am not sure bow effective purfling is at stopping cracks but if the top isn’t suffering from extensive cracking now then it should be fine if you take care of it.

 

[ctrlzjones]

I am not sure bow effective purfling is at stopping cracks

Very much, at least with mine.