Identifying a bass as carved or laminate

[Ted Burik]

Thanks, Martin-this is very helpful. I'm going to follow your advice and ask my shop bass expert to show me how he identified my potential purchase as a fully carved instrument. For what it's worth-the bass I'm looking to purchase is a 1977 3/4 E. Wilfer, labeled "West Germany" and "model 54." My bass shop is asking $7500. The bass appears to have only minor dings and a couple of small repaired cracks. In speaking with my bass shop expert, I was able to discern maple grain on the back edge so I'm pretty confident the bass is fully carved. My shop bass expert also confirmed that the bass is carved (I definitely trust him). The bass is a "heavy" bass, evidently made with more more wood than other "lighter" basses. My bass shop expert says this is what contributes to the more focused, growly, mid-range tone of the instrument-very percussive and forward sounding. This definitely suits my playing style. Any thoughts on the current asking price for the instrument?