What is my bass

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by David Blane

Hi Ken

The bass was bought from the violin shop in Glasgow a couple of years ago. The dealer said it had probably been refinished. The bass has solid top and back and probably sides. There is a significant amount of shrinkage that has caused the sides (at the bottom of the bass) to be level with the edge of the back. I dont have a decent photo at the moment but you can just make it out on the one that I have attached. Would this happen if the bass was modern?

Cheers

Dave

It could be in the antiquing, they do this as well. They can 'cook' the wood to make it look like that. In real, a bass would split a few times on the ribs or top when it shrinks. This was pre-shrunk like they make Jeans.

What are the Ribs measurements on the bottom block, lower corner, upper corner and middle upper bout. Measure ONLY the Rib wood, not the top or back.