The scroll is angled forward. So much so that the nut would have to be in the shape of a triangle. I don't know if it has been grafted yet (but from the looks of the wood on the neck and scroll I am currently under the assumption that it hasn't been grafted), I'll be able to answer that upon inspecting the bass in person.
Since we don't have better pictures yet, I think there are really only a couple of important things to discuss.
1. The neck has a very interesting shape. I have only located one other bass with the same general attributes of the neck shape
http://www.worldofbasses.de/Instrume...cca/rocca.html
The distinguishing characteristics that I found similar are the shape of the neck around the button, almost like that of a classical guitar, where the block doesn't taper towards the back. The shape of the neck is also very pointed like that of a 23' Lohr Gibson F-5, very different from any classical shape that I am familiar with. The final similarity is the upward swoop towards the scroll which I have only seen in the Italian school.
2. There is also a possibility that this bass has been cut down. The FFs are very long in proportion to the body. The upper bout is currently 18"+ the lower 22"+, the rib depth 7.5" and LOB is 38"+(these are approximate because I didn't take them). The only writing I was notified of is the name Eldrige 1893 OH. From my limited vantage point, this either means that this is the maker or the luthier/cabinetmaker that repaired the instrument(by repair I am referring to the addition of a 4th tuning gear). I have only found 2 references to a luthier under the name Eldridge(with an extra d)in the U.S. around the turn of the century, thus my reference to cabinetmaker. That being said, I think it is safe to say the bass is at least 100yrs old and was modified to be a 4 string around the turn of the century. I know the pics are bad but what about the tuning gears, it looks to me as though the 3 tuning plates that match might be original.
3. Slab cut top. Ironically, the bass that I mentioned earlier as having a similar neck shape had a partner from the same area
http://www.worldofbasses.de/Instrume.../rastelli.html
This bass looks nothing like the bass I posted but it does have a slab cut top. Does this bass have Italian characteristics? Putting 2 and 2 together: this bass is crude in construction, has extra turns in the scroll along with unique carving, neck shape is very unique and looks to be original, slab cut top, long upright FFs attached at the top and bottom, it is definately a Confederate Bass
.