Mathias Neuner bass, worth it?

[Frank Larouche]

Hello everyone and hello Ken,

This bass appear today in the kijiji ads in my town and from the pics I'm not sure what it is, in the description he say it's the original label by Mathias Neuner, but it's roundback and from what I've checked so far bass from this maker tend to be flatback but I may be mistaken. I look like a german shop bass too I think. anyway what can you tell from the pics and do you think it's worth 12 k. I will try it of course in the future!

http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-acheter-...AdIdZ235629920

Thanks

Francis

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Frank Larouche

Hello everyone and hello Ken,

This bass appear today in the kijiji ads in my town and from the pics I'm not sure what it is, in the description he say it's the original label by Mathias Neuner, but it's roundback and from what I've checked so far bass from this maker tend to be flatback but I may be mistaken. I look like a german shop bass too I think. anyway what can you tell from the pics and do you think it's worth 12 k. I will try it of course in the future!

http://montreal.kijiji.ca/c-acheter-...AdIdZ235629920

Thanks

Francis

The label might be real but it looks way older than that bass. I wish you had better pics of the scroll (all sides), top and back. The varnish and condition of the wood under it looks mid-late 20th century to me. Is the varnish original? I have seen very few if any round back basses from Mittenwald before 1900 but it is possible. The price however is very cheap for a 'real' Neuner bass. I will look up his dates later on. The Neuners were a big family of makers for about two centuries.

[Frank Larouche]

Thanks mr. Smith!

I would love to have scroll pic too! The round back and the general look was bugging me too. From what I gathered, instrument labeled mathias Neuner where probably shop instrument so I doubt that a shop would have took the time to carved a round back.

Anyway the owner have the original receipt from his father that dated from 1952. 12k seems a bit high for a generic german shop bass from the early-mid 20th century.

francis

[Ken Smith]

Ok, there are 5 makers of that exact name, I, II, III, IV and V. Your label by date is probably from M.N. V., the label, NOT the bass. I have pictures in 2 books of that exact label but different dates on each. One by M.N. II and one from M.N. V. That means that the same label copies were used for 4 generations of the 5.

How easy is it to put a label in that doesn't belong? Well, with probably 1'000s of them printed on sheets, VERY easy.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

The way the upper bouts meet the c-bouts is different than most "shop" basses one encounters; it's extra-curvy there. The overall shape seems inspired by the French solo basses. As far as the date, it's really hard to tell via pictures, but I agree with Ken that it looks over-varnished or re-varnished.

[Frank Larouche]

Thanks Arnold and ken for the thoughts

The price is a little bit higher than my budget (5-7k, maybe a bit more), I will check it out and maybe talk a bit with the owner if the sound is good.

Arnold I agree with you, I have seen a couple of Juzek type shop bass and earlyer german blockless shop bass and the overall shape of this one is different.

What do you think of the price, does it seem fair for a possibly overvarnished bass of uncertain origin^

If I had a little bit more saving, I would definitely go to New York to visit your shop! You are two of my double bass hero for sure!

francis