Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Simon
Ken,
The design on the back of your bass looks identical to mine (below).
- edges around f-holes are blackened, so you can't see ply or no ply
- it's a flatback
- label reads: "Made in Czecho Slovakia" and "Antonius Stradivarius copy"
- as the photo of the top shows, the grain is pretty wide
- neck is new; old one broke in shipping
- two long cracks on top, not aesthetically repaired but holding together
Would one assume correctly that this bass is also laminated?
Also, can you tell approx. the year or the decade it was made?
Thank you.
-richard
|
The "Czecho Slovakia" ma,e/country was formed after WWI, so after 1918/1919. So, it has to date after that. I think shortly after the war labels were written as "Czechoslovakia", one word, not two. So I would date this bass closer to the first war, maybe 1920-30's or so.
On the back design, it is not exactly the same but similar, as seen on many basses made on both sides of the German/Czech border. More then one shop used this design, usually a Bohemian Crest or Blume/Flower as I have been told by one person at the current Hofner company in Germany (northern Bavaria?) that originated from the border in Schoenbach.
On the laminated part, Plywood does not crack like that. Spruce does, so your Top is probably a carved Spruce top. On the back however, I think it could be plywood but you can look all around the edges and find at least one spot that shows the grain either crossing the edge or showing 2 of more lines making up the laminates for the back. Most plywood backs are round/molded but it would be cheaper to make it flat with an upper bend. The Ribs as the C-Bout joints can be examined in the same manner.
On the "Strad." part of the label, LOL. Strad. never made doubles basses but there were two bass gambas he made, smaller than a Cello and at lease one of them were modified with added wood into the Cello shape retaining its original flatback. You might as well have Hamburgers or Cheese steaks say 'copy of Strad. as he may have made those as well!
