Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Weems
Once again thanks for this info. I will restore this as a church bass and not try to make it into a cello. As mentioned a few posts ago it has a repair label in it from 1922 J Renwick Metheny. Also found a large hand written note on the back listing all the repairs he did to it all of which will have to be undone. Pretty horrific stuff. He was into old instrument stuff so I suspect that is where the 1670 hand written date came from. I don't like to criticize someone who is not here and over such a long time but man what a mess. I have posted some pics of the inside so you will see what I will have to deal with. As for my level I have been repairing and making violins and guitars for 29years god I can' believe how fast time goes. since the back has been cut of ie out of the grove in the back what I would like to do is to fully line the instrument add corner blocks and heel graft the neck so it can be converted to a typical neck joint with new neck block. As I have moved into restoration work I only restore Instruments that belong to me all the while be cognizant of prosperity. With forum like this Upton bass and others the restoration work I have done has come out quite well.
Thanking you again
Mike Weems
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I don't know what others you watch but look at some old basses on my site that have archived photos of the repairs. You need blocks where you don't have as well as linings. You need to cut all the old wood from the neck heel and see if it can be used or make a neck graft and get the length and heel done right. Those repairs by todays standards and even back then are quite horrible. Gut the instrument and do it all right.
My Prescott bass has signs of the ribs inserted into the back at least and maybe the top. The upper and lower bouts were cut down but I suspect it was blockless just like this cello.
Post restoration;
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/prescott/
Pre-restoration and restoration pics;
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/double...t-preview.html