Help IDing a bass

[Alex Ripstein]

hello. I'm trying to figure out what this bass is that i just got. It is an old 3 string, and thats about all i know about it.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/AxelRipper/front.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/AxelRipper/headstockfront.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/AxelRipper/back.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/AxelRipper/neck.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b306/AxelRipper/neckback.jpg

Does anyone have any idea what it is or what it would be worth restored? It is quite worn and has a few cracks in it, but im interested in fixing it.

Thank you all much!

[David Powell]

Check out the thread on the German school basses section of this forum (This Old Bass), the Roebuck bass, etc.:

http://www.smithbassforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

[Ken Smith]

I read thru this over on TB last night. Most of what you were told is correct.

This was a low cost factory Bass from about 100 years ago and probably made for the English or French market as they were the only ones I know of still stuck on the 3-string idea. Italy was mixed then and Germany was 4 or 5-string.

If a Bass was made for only 3-strings then the Bassbar must be changed as well IF it even has one. The Bar may even be a 'lump of wood' left in from the Top a.k.a. 'integral bass bar'.

The Neck looks good and that is important. This being a 3/4 Bass, it would be good for a student or jazz player fully restored. Cost to restore this Bass must also include all other fittings like Fingerboard, tail piece, endpin, bridge, tuners and strings. Internally it needs all new cross bars, a Bassbar, all cracks repaired and a neck block. The neck might be re-usable into a block as I suspect this to be blockless.

With that said, I can't see you spending less than 5-8k in a respectable shop to make this into a real Bass and not a 'discussion piece' to stand in the corner.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

You should post some measurements. Many of those "blockless wonders" were made in half-size. And half-size basses have considerably less value than 3/4's or 7/8's.

[Ken Smith]

You should post some measurements. Many of those "blockless wonders" were made in half-size. And half-size basses have considerably less value than 3/4's or 7/8's.

I just took measurements, and the lengths of the body are:
length:42.5 in
width of top: 20.5 in
width of bottom: 25 in

Arnold, this was on TB the other day (7/15).

[Alex Ripstein]

Those are the lengths that i took... thank you ken for posting them.

many people on talkbass have suggested that i sell it or turn it into a 4 string. I do not intend to do either. the quirkyness of it being a 3 stringer is enough for me. I will probably jsut fill some of the cracks (my family has a history of woodworking, thats how it got to this condition... It was in pieces and this is how its held up for the 40+ years since it was fixed... i'd say its not too bad)

[Arnold Schnitzer]

I will probably jsut fill some of the cracks.

Fill the cracks? Uh oh...:eek:

[Alex Ripstein]

Fill the cracks? Uh oh...:eek:


sorry to make everyone who saw that cringe... i meant fix

[Ken Smith]

sorry to make everyone who saw that cringe... i meant fix

Fixing Basses and Violins is a specialized 'art' not to be confused with furniture, carpentry or home building. Make sure you learn all the proper methods before starting on this project or at the least, learn what 'not' to do. Reversing bad or improper work can be costly 'if' it can be corrected.

Amateur repairs will not increase a Bass's value. It may get you something playable but just understand this is for your enjoyment and not for business.

There is some science behind the internal repairs as well as the difference between a bassbar for a 3 or 4 string Bass. Materials, Glue, tools techniques, do's and don'ts all apply here in the most cautious and serious manner.

[Alex Ripstein]

sorry... but i'm not an expert or hardly a novice even... it this a 3/4 or 1/2 size? im trying to get some strings for it

[Ken Smith]

sorry... but i'm not an expert or hardly a novice even... it this a 3/4 or 1/2 size? im trying to get some strings for it

As I mentioned above in an earlier post, this is a 3/4 size bass.