Otto Rubner, Markneukirchen c.1930 (SOLD)
 

After careful research, we conclude that this bass is the work of Otto Rubner c.1930 (b.1885-d.1963, son, pupil and successor to Joseph Rubner b.1864-d.1927).

Having seen several Rubner and Meyer basses pictured and some in person, the tuners in the reverse order is the first thing that came to mind for Meyer. Then the purfling around the top but not the back was another clue pointing Rubner and not Meyer. Meyer basses made later have the upper top shaped more squarely by the neck block but the earliest ones go around like the French Cello model Double Basses. In separate messages back and forth with the current Bass Master in both the Meyer and Rubner shops (Ackert), we have concluded that this IS a Rubner and not a Meyer. 'Ackert sent me pictures of two old Rubner basses he has that have the same narrow outer linings measuring only 7-8mm wide. A feature not seen on Meyer or other makers from Saxony.

About 30 years ago, this bass was restored and the back button was replaced with a graft from a neck break. The Luthier restoring the bass also over varnished the bass to the current and beautifully applied deep wine-red color. Regardless, the bass is in great shape and hasn't been opened since that restoration.

The sound is fairly deep, rich and powerful sounding. Having played beside is in the hands of the previous owner for about a decade, I can attest to its sound. When it was restored decades ago, the neck was set way too shallow (possibly the original over-stand), making it difficult to play in thumb position without some back strain.

Recent new neck grafted, Fingerboard, Bridge, End-pin unit and new chromatic C-Extension. (new pictures below)

(SOLD)

Measurements:
String Length; 41 1/2" (with new graft)
Top/Back Length; 44" top, 44 1/2" back
Upper Bout; 19 1/2"
Middle Bout; 14 1/4"
Lower Bout; 26"
Ribs; 7 3/4" (8 1/4" w/T&B), 6 1/8" at Neck (6 5/8" w/T&B)
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Top; spruce
Back and Ribs; highly flamed maple.
Neck/Scroll; figured maple with neck graft

a few more details..
 

The outer linings are smaller the normal size usually seen on German basses, allowing the ribs to move more.

The F-holes are the earlier Rubner and A.Meyer style, both neighboring Saxon makers at the time.

The import sticker is all that is inside but there is some torn paper near it where the makers label probably once was.

Also, here's a pic from a few years ago in concert, the Rubner is the second row, outside, just behind me with my Italian..

Nee neck graft, fb, bridge, C-Extension
 

After nearly 100 years, this bass finally has a proper neck set along with all the other set-up needs to modern playing. String length is now 41 1/2".

The Otto Rubner Manufacturing Era
 

Otto Rubner made basses over a span of several decades, primarily from the 1920s until his passing in 1963.

• The Family Origins: The Rubner workshop was established in 1885 in Markneukirchen, Germany—a globally recognized historic hub for string instrument production—by Otto's father, Josef Rubner (1864–1927).
• The Pre-War Golden Age: Otto Rubner (1885–1963) honed his craft building instruments alongside his father and eventually took over operations following Josef's death. The fully carved double basses produced by Otto before World War II are particularly celebrated by musicians today for their exceptional craftsmanship and the use of premium, highly resonant tonewoods.
• The Post-War Shift: After WWII, under the East German regime, independent instrument makers faced heavy regulations, and the Rubner workshop was eventually absorbed into the state-owned MUSIMA cooperative. While instruments bearing the Otto Rubner label continued to be manufactured into the 1960s, post-war material shortages made the earlier pre-war builds much more prized.