Advice: John Frazier, Bristol Double Bass?

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Looks like the maker copied a French bass, as Ken alluded to above. However the neck joint is not French. The scroll is commercial German, also as Ken said. The upper bout looks very long and you should measure the stop length. It may be difficult to set this bass up with a reasonable string length.

[Ken Smith]

I see several worm holes in that Scroll/Pegbox.



Check that Bass VERY carefully. Worms can make 'toast' out of wood. I have seen it. Very hungry little critters.

[Stefano Senni]

Hi everybody. I remember I too asked for the photos of this bass a few years back. I know what is the dealer you are talking about in the Uk. I still have the photos in my archives so here they are : the string length is extremely long (don't remember exactly how much). It seems to me that the high cello shoulders and the long s.lenght mean not a good investment at all !

[johnfowles]

Can anyone recommend a very reputable seller in the UK then? I really feel like i've been had?

[johnfowles]

I was considering a French, Mirecourt c1890, flat back with corners. I'll try and get hold of a pile of pictures and see what you think. The body size was just right. And playing the flatback seemed somewhat more comfortable than a carved back (the balance was just better on my knee).

Any comment on basses from that era and location?