Double Bass Very old instrument found on craigslist

[jmpiwonka]

she said the early ones were made in germany. yeah. so.
you've proven more than once your reading comprehension isn't stellar. why do you keep arguing this?

don't you see the remnants of the purfling on the back of the bass in the OP, it's very similar to the kings in the links posted in this thread.

 

[Bass]

...Ken Smith either set up a fake facebook page and found some teenage friends, or stole the identity of this facebook user.

Wow, Ken really made a tremendous effort in order to execute revenge upon TalkBass faithful. Man alive, I wish I had access to facebook so I could see some of those photos.

Hey, when did King start making the basses in USA instead of Germany? There's a '36 King on e-bay, apparently #96, too bad the finish is destroyed. I'd prefer something a little more "clean".

This thread is delightful.

 

[drurb]

she said the early ones were made in germany. yeah. so.
you've proven more than once your reading comprehension isn't stellar. why do you keep arguing this?

don't you see the remnants of the purfling on the back of the bass in the OP, it's very similar to the kings in the links posted in this thread.

Yup, just see post #41.

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

hmmm people dont like me.... ha....

I like you. I think you're a funny kid, and full of piss and vinegar (your folks can explain that one).

 

[Brandon Tuomiko]

I didnt notice that you guys here posted my facebook link. You can ad me as a friend if you have one... I created that like a year ago, and I have never been on it since. Not once.

 

[Paul Warburton]

WOW!
One comment from THE MAN, and lookit the change.
Sentences, capital letters in the correct places, punctuation....
Arnold, you never fail to amaze me.

Oops, Brandon. You did misspell add.

 

[Brandon Tuomiko]

Sprechen Sie mit mir? Danke Sehr.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Molly Kay, I just love your devotion and respect for these old ply's. There have been many beautiful recordings (and performances) made with these beautiful workhorses. Your knowledge greatly enhances Talkbass.

 

[Cody Sisk]

This thread... wow the audacity of some, blows my mind..

Just by all the reading I have done here at TB I would kill for the chance to sit down and pick Paul and Arnold's brains..

 

[Brandon Tuomiko]

So back on topic.

Can we have some pictures of the tuners so we all can get a better Idea of this bass?

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Im taking a trip KC strings and some place in Michigan, and I will stop by their stores, and play their basses. Maybe then I can come to conclusion to what I should get!

If/when you do get down here, please let me know and I'd be happy to meet you there to give an opinion. No sweat either way, but I want you to be happy.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I didnt notice that you guys here posted my facebook link. You can ad me as a friend if you have one... I created that like a year ago, and I have never been on it since. Not once.

Then why in the *&## would we bother? Some friend you are

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I would kill for the chance to sit down and pick Paul and Arnold's brains..

Perhaps with some fava beans and a nice Chianti?

 

[Don Higdon]

Perhaps with some fava beans and a nice Chianti?

Marcus Johnson, ladies and gentlemen, at the top of his game.

He does foster odd menu choices and abstruse references, but I will stay silent as a lamb.

 

[Uncletoad]

Marcus Johnson, ladies and gentlemen, at the top of his game.

He does foster odd menu choices and abstruse references, but I will stay silent as a lamb.

Damn that's good. I need a fart joke just about now...

 

[dvmweb]

OK;

My wife and i were going out to dinner the other night.

She wanted her favorite old windbreaker as it was cold out.

When I walked in the room she said, "Oh, there you are!"

Walt MI/USA

 

[Brandon Tuomiko]

If/when you do get down here, please let me know and I'd be happy to meet you there to give an opinion. No sweat either way, but I want you to be happy.

I sure can try! It will not be ether will be during spring break, which is around April 10th to the 18th or so. Or then, in the summer.

 

[tingj]

Thanks for all the interesting replies. I will take a look at the King basses someone posted a link to.

Here is all I know about the instrument:
1) the top is carved, not laminated. See the attached photo.
2) the back is also carved and appears to be made of two pieces joined in the midline
3) there is a label on the inside that reads "DON RUSSO, The APTO Company", which seems to be a defunct violin shop.
4) The neck is cracked in the heel.
5) The neck and scroll appear to be original.
6) It was owned by a jazz bass player in southern or central jersey, who died and left it to his nephew, who sold it for a couple of hundred dollars to an electric bass player in staten island, who sold it to me this week.

Arnold, it was I that spoke to you on the phone this evening about the bass with the cracked neck. What a funny coincidence. This was the instrument I was talking about. I've heard excellent things about your work, so I am sad that you are too busy to be able to take this project on. After I spoke to you, I made an appointment to bring the bass to Gage's tomorrow afternoon to get an estimate on the neck work.

Any opinions on whether the neck can be repaired and reset, or needs to be replaced? How about a shim under the fingerboard?

Thank you.

 

[tingj]

Here are more pics of the neck and back.

 

[tingj]

I looked at the links to the King basses, and aside from the violin shape, this instrument does not resemble the king basses. For one thing, most of the king basses appear to have laminated tops.

In any event, I am taking this bass to Gage's tomorrow and am very curious to hear what the luthier has to say after seeing it in person. I will mention to him that the consensus opinion on this forum is that this is a King instrument.

Cheers.