Please Help Identify Two Basses

[Keith Jevons]

Hi,
can anyone please help with identifying, dating and valuing (G.B. £'s) these two basses which have no makers labels.

the red bass is quite large
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39732012@N03/sets/72157620249351817/

the old bass had extensive repairs to cracks by George Stoppani in 1989
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39732012@N03/sets/72157620249385619/

I could add dimensions if this helps.

cheers
Keith

[Arnold Schnitzer]

The red bass looks to be one of the "grand" model French basses, possibly a Claudot or Jacquet/Gand. The other one is a German flatback. From the pics, they both look late 19th century. But you can only tell so much from pics...

[Ken Smith]

The red bass looks to be one of the "grand" model French basses, possibly a Claudot or Jacquet/Gand. The other one is a German flatback. From the pics, they both look late 19th century. But you can only tell so much from pics...

I agree generally with Arnold on this. The Red/French bass can also be a T.L Lamy as there are quite a few over in the UK. Take it into a UK shop. Their prices are different than across the pond. Anyway, a late 19th century Mirecourt bass.

The other Bass is a turn of the century Shoenbach/Luby Bass from the German/Czech border area or Markneukirchen area. Some type of commercial Germanic style bass which I date to the early 20th century myself.

They both look nice. What are the measurements of each? Use the measurement areas I use for posting the #s. What are the conditions as far as what you know, what you can or can't see and their repair history each as well as what still might need repairing. Not that I can give you a blind price but I can try and tell you if you are done restoring them to their best possible condition or not, to a degree.

[Sked James]

keith , the French double bass is very nice indeed , can you please tell me the string playing length .
I agree, it looks like a Mirecourt bass from approx. 1870 -1900.
I have sent you a private message regarding some information.

[Keith Jevons]

Thanks for the comments so far guys
Here are the dimensions

the red bass
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39732012@N03/sets/72157620249351817/
L.o.b. 45"
Upper 21 1/2"
Centre 14 3/4"
Lower 27 3/8"
Upper rib 8 1/4"
Lower rib 8 5/8"
Stop 42 5/8"

the German bass
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39732012@N03/sets/72157620249385619/
L.o.b. 43"
Upper 20 3/8"
Centre 14 1/8"
Lower 25 7/8"
Upper rib 8 1/2"
Lower rib 8 5/8"
Stop 41 1/4"

[Ken Smith]

Some quite hefty rib depth on that German/Bohemian style bass for its size. You are measuring inside the Top and Back I presume or including the plates?

So basically, one is a French 7/8 size or maybe intended as a full size 4/4 model and the other a Germanic 3/4 sized bass. Nice family you have there..;)

[Keith Jevons]

Some quite hefty rib depth on that German/Bohemian style bass for its size. You are measuring inside the Top and Back I presume or including the plates?


The measurements include the plates on both basses.
I'll bear that in mind for future reference.

Thanks again Ken.

[Ken Smith]

The measurements include the plates on both basses.
I'll bear that in mind for future reference.

Thanks again Ken.

Yes, when measuring Ribs, you measure the wood of the Ribs only and not the top and back. If making a case then you need all of the girth but in measuring, it's that actual wood parts individually.