Quote:
Originally Posted by kurt ratering
so is it fair to say that not all cello style purflings are french, but most french inst. will have it? in reference to the pics ken posted, is the one with the extension the one from france? the purfling looks rounder than the other.
is it possible to narrow down its orgin (the bass in question) with the beech neck, or is that more of a "german school" thing?
sorry for the blizzard of questions and thanks for the insights, kurt
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The Ext. bass is German. The Cello button model is French and a fine pedigree. I have never seen that on a German Bass. Not all round purfling is French and not all French have round purfling. Purfling style does not constitute a school of making. That is where the common error is made. I don't believe all dealers know or don't know that but they seem to pin the French flag on anything remotely close.
In the case of the Ext. bass shown, the owner was so proud of his new 'French' Bass he bought from a famous NY shop but after 2 seconds of seeing a single partial Rib 'only' as he was taking off the cover, I let the ball drop and told him what I thought his bass really was. This by the way is a good friend of mine and it was recently sold by him to another friend of mine I introduced him to. The Bass is a nice bass, just not French. Being French would not make the bass one ounce better in sound or quality. Just maybe the dealer could ask a higher price..