"Salvadore De Durro" / B&J New York

[Steve Robinson]

Thanks so much, Ken, for all that great info! Yes, I don't imagine that the bass would have been made right after WWI--that's why I said the earliest it could have been made is in 1918, but probably later in the 20s. That said, I imagine the "Made in Czechoslovakia" label was put in by B&J in NYC, right? The label is in English after all. It's such a tiny piece of paper (and separate from the B&J label) that I had never seen it until this month! The guy who did my restoration was so sure it was from about 1911. I thought it was turning 100 this year until I found that damn label!

Thanks also for the info on purfling and shape. One thing I notice is the basses you show have the wider bouts that I have seen on other German/Czech factory basses. Mine is slimmer and always reminded me of the shape of the J. B. Gabrielli 1790 on page 94-95 of the Elgar book (I still have an old photocopy of that from the MSU library).



Not exactly the same geometry, but more similar. The Gabrielli is slimmer than mine by about an inch across all dimensions and the lower bout is much more round at the bottom. For posterity and the future utility of this post, here are my approx. measurements:

Upper Bout: 19 1/2"
Center Bout: 15"
Bottom Bout: 25 1/2"
Rib Depth: 8 1/4" (6 7/8" at Neck)
Belly Length: 43 1/2
String Length: 41" (bridge is high--should probably be 41 1/2")

So again, thanks a million! I hope uploading info about my bass adds to the collective info on this Czech bass thread. If anyone reading this now or in the future has had contact with a similar instrument, please post something here. Thanks!

Steve

P.S. I'm not sure if the tuning machines are of any help in dating/describing these basses, but mine are identical in every way to these (the photo, however, is from another bass).

[Ken Smith]

The Made In' was required for export in the language of the Country it was going to. USA was a huge consumer so they had the spelling figured out in advance!

The Tuners look good for between the wars as does the bass. Many 19th century Orchestra basses made in Germany have much wider lower bouts. Your bass is the later smaller design across the bottom.

It looks like a nice bass so enjoy it as you have in the past.

[Ken Smith]

That place B & J was at 113-115 University Place. I lived for 17 years on 13th and University pl.. This place is between 12th and 13th street. It was right across the street from where Stromboli's pizza is now. It's less than 100 feet door to door from my old apartment building. Go figure.. lol

[Steve Robinson]

Thanks again, Ken! Yes, B&J were at that location as early as 1904; here's a clip I found from the Music Trade Review from that year announcing their "third complete catalogue to the trade." Elderly Instruments in Lansing, where I worked as a college student, has a reprint of the B&J 1915-1916 catalog for $12. Might be cool to have.

I love the bass and was just joking about the age. I don't care how old it is--it's perfect for me and I love it. To round out the discussion, here are some current mugshots of the front, back, and sides.

[Ken Smith]

Also, one more difference between French and German of a similar model is the upper bout back bend. A French bass will bend from the corner block to the neck gradually. A German bass will bend steeply half way up with an angle cut, flat or round back. If it's not bent and has outer linings, it's German. I have seen so many Hawkes basses claiming to be French because the dealer over charged and called it French that were 100% typical German work and nothing at all like a French bass. Just nice grade German work so they sell it as French. Fraud in my book. Buyer beware!

So outer linings and/or angle bent back = German as opposed to French. Italian and English basses might have some of this too but they are usually obvious as not being German or French, usually.

Elderly Instruments in Lansing, where I worked as a college student, has a reprint of the B&J 1915-1916 catalog for $12. Might be cool to have.

Oh, I should have this? I think you should as you have the bass, no?.. .. Hey, if one shows up in the mail as a gift, I will give it a good home!

[Steve Robinson]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Oh, I should have this? I think you should as you have the bass, no?.. .. Hey, if one shows up in the mail as a gift, I will give it a good home!

Yeah, I meant me, but since you mention it... watch your mail.

Thanks again for all the info.

Steve

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Steve Robinson

Yeah, I meant me, but since you mention it... watch your mail.

Thanks again for all the info.

Steve