Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg
Thanks, Ken. Hobbyshop, indeed!  |
We must also look at some facts here. German Shop basses were made in quantity because of demand and because they COULD make the basses in a shop or factory-type environment. This was not the case in England or Italy where the more expensive basses came from or at least are priced accordingly now.
The other factor is that Germany, England and France had a good local or easily obtainable wood supply as exhibited from what they made in those periods. Italy on the other hand imported their better woods and used what was available locally on some of the instruments and on many of the basses that look less than beautiful wood-wise. The tone however is another story as many of these ugly ducklings are the best instruments on the world.
Getting back to the 'Shop' Basses of Germany, these are made with good wood, figured and un-figured in the back and sides and top woods of even grained spruce on average. Many of them were made 'on the cheap' as far as graduations within themselves and bass bars that are either integral, or poorly sized. Having a bass made with good wood, you have half the problem solved. The other half however is more expensive. Take the bass apart and re-graduate the plates as well as re-build everything else and you will have in the end, Italian-like dimensions made from German wood.
I have seen this done and the results were amazing. Usually, a bass with a sound that's 2-4x its quality in pedigree value and in good repair order in as well the end.
So in closing, do not take for granted a German Shop bass. The way in which it was made and the results unaltered is 'Not' all it can be!