Ideas?
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.
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