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What manner of beast is this?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Volker Kirstein, Jun 16, 2019.

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  1. Jun 16, 2019 #1
    Volker Kirstein

    Volker Kirstein Blippy the Wonder Slug

    Jun 16, 2019
    Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
    I found this instrument in the local want ads, with a "best offer" price tag. Needless to say, I fell in love. But before I start making serious inquiries, I'd like to know a little more about the instrument than "I don't know. It's old. I inherited it from my grampa."

    I've spent about a week looking. All I've been able to determine is that it's not an Epiphone, Eko, or Warwick. It might be from the 60s. It may be a one-of custom hand-built job. It may or may not be DDR/Soviet Bloc.

    Does anyone here recognise it? What would you offer?

    BASS W3.jpg IMG_20190616_122552.jpg BASS W1.jpg BASS W4.jpg BASS W5.jpg BASS W3.jpg IMG_20190616_122552.jpg BASS W1.jpg BASS W4.jpg BASS W5.jpg
     
    embellisher, getbent, instrumentalist and 25 others like this.
  2. Jun 16, 2019 #2
    gebass6

    gebass6 We're not all trying to play the same music. Supporting Member

    May 3, 2009
    Hiding in the comet's tail
    Buy first.Ask questions later!
    Or I will!
     
    ZedLepp, EddiePlaysBass, iriegnome and 15 others like this.
  3. Jun 16, 2019 #3
    wagdog

    wagdog

    Mar 20, 2000
    Der Waffle Haus
    Not that old based on design features. I’m guessing Canadian luthier on acid trip.
     
    Qlanq, Microbass, the harp unstrung and 48 others like this.
  4. Jun 16, 2019 #4
    charlie monroe

    charlie monroe Gold Supporting Member

    Feb 14, 2011
    Buffalo, NY
    Is that a lamp finial on the headstock?

    Canadian origin seems likely.
     
    Jim Carr and EatS1stBassist like this.
  5. Jun 16, 2019 #5
    Volker Kirstein

    Volker Kirstein Blippy the Wonder Slug

    Jun 16, 2019
    Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
    As far as Canadian origin goes... I'm in Frankfurt, Germany. The owner is in Eastern Germany, formerly DDR. The Maple Leaf is also a popular woodwork theme in eastern Europe. IMO Hungary (or such) is more likely.

    However, Canada always did have better relations with the Soviet Bloc than USA, so I suppose Canadian origin is theoretically possible.
     
    the harp unstrung, Jim Carr, kodiakblair and 3 others like this.
  6. Jun 16, 2019 #6
    petrus61

    petrus61

    Dec 18, 2011
    Hudson Valley, New York
    It’s Mothman’s crackhead brother.
     
    Wfrance3, EddiePlaysBass, the harp unstrung and 22 others like this.
  7. Jun 16, 2019 #7
    buldog5151bass

    buldog5151bass Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.

    Oct 22, 2003
    Connecticut
    Custom case and stamped bridge makes it unlikely to be a one-off. Try it out, and make a low offer if you like it. Bring examples of other CL sales of unknown basses.
     
    Jeff Elkins likes this.
  8. Jun 16, 2019 #8
    Matt Liebenau

    Matt Liebenau

    Jul 7, 2013
    Ogden, Utah
    My thought is one off custom also. Possibly using parts salvaged from eastern bloc instruments. I’d definitely take a look at it but I’m drawn to oddball instruments. Although, that body shape seems like I have seen it before but I don’t recall where.
     
    dutchwife and jd56hawk like this.
  9. Jun 16, 2019 #9
    gebass6

    gebass6 We're not all trying to play the same music. Supporting Member

    May 3, 2009
    Hiding in the comet's tail
    This was the bass owned by Kaiser Willhelm ll.
    It was given to him by Bernhard Von Bulow in 1900.
     
    the harp unstrung, mikewalker, barrenelly and 11 others like this.
  10. Jun 16, 2019 #10
    pie_man_25

    pie_man_25

    Jun 28, 2007
    Kingston, ON, Canada
    I took a course to get a gun license, it was taught by a guy who coached team Canada during the cold war, he said the best diplomatic tool he found with the Russian team was Canadian club whiskey.

    At any rate, she's a beauty of a bass :) I hope she gives you years of good service
     
  11. Jun 16, 2019 #11
    Bent77

    Bent77

    Mar 6, 2013
    Desert, Colorado
    Looks like it should come with a resin bow and a case of maple syrup
     
    the harp unstrung, mikewalker, csp and 9 others like this.
  12. Jun 16, 2019 #12
    bassliner50

    bassliner50

    Mar 20, 2012
    Long Island New York
    A beast that is more ostentatious than practical.
     
    the harp unstrung, zontar and kobass like this.
  13. Jun 16, 2019 #13
    wraub

    wraub

    Apr 9, 2004
    ennui, az
    Assuming it's mechanically sound and plays well, I would only offer as much as I had. Or slightly more.
     
    zontar, bigswifty1, davidprice and 2 others like this.
  14. Jun 16, 2019 #14
    Yango

    Yango Inactive

    Apr 14, 2008
    That’s one strange animal. You should buy it (I would). You’ll probably never see another one like it in your lifetime!

    Let us know how it plays, and sounds.
     
    djaxup, EatS1stBassist and dutchwife like this.
  15. Jun 16, 2019 #15
    Bent77

    Bent77

    Mar 6, 2013
    Desert, Colorado
    Maybe it’s a Canadian Epiphone. They did weird stuff like this with Pontiacs back in the day

    Never knew this existed. I kinda want it now that I’ve seen it
     
  16. Jun 16, 2019 #16
    Slinger

    Slinger

    Aug 16, 2015
    The Garden Of England
    The first question I'd ask (looking at that picture that features a part of someone's hand) is how long is it, from head to tail?

    [​IMG]
     
    instrumentalist, nnnnnn and Haroldo like this.
  17. Jun 16, 2019 #17
    cnltb

    cnltb

    May 28, 2005
    an early Marleaux.
     
    dutchwife likes this.
  18. Jun 16, 2019 #18
    Cheez

    Cheez Supporting Member

    Apr 13, 2009
    I’m lost. The two pics of the back look like two different instruments.
     
    JKos, Rip Van Dan and Ellery like this.
  19. Jun 16, 2019 #19
    TNCreature

    TNCreature Jinkies! Supporting Member

    Jan 25, 2010
    Philadelphia Burbs
    It's hideously beautiful. I can't imagine it playing well or sounding good, but I would still want it for it's unique qualities and rarity. Just buy it! I would think it is more rare than valuable.
     
    the harp unstrung, TH63, bassplyr5150 and 6 others like this.
  20. Jun 16, 2019 #20
    Volker Kirstein

    Volker Kirstein Blippy the Wonder Slug

    Jun 16, 2019
    Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
    There's a pad that screws on the back.
     
    Clark W likes this.
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