Bohemian Bass

[Eric Hochberg]

Thanks, Charlie. The "Abalone" dots are really just stick-on labels that I cut for temporary use as I get used to the Eb neck (after 34 years of D neck!). They work fine and look ok from a distance so I probably won't install permanent markers. When they get worn, I just replace them.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Thanks, Charlie. The "Abalone" dots are really just stick-on labels that I cut for temporary use as I get used to the Eb neck (after 34 years of D neck!). They work fine and look ok from a distance so I probably won't install permanent markers. When they get worn, I just replace them.

Where do you get these stick on dots. I need some for this new monster I am playing.

[Eric Hochberg]

I used a hole puncher on some labels to create the dots. Coincidently, the labels I used came in a mailing from the AFM and are photos of various instruments. So far, I've been using the darker colored areas for the markers. By the way, Ken, your new bass looks amazing.

[Charlie Hack]

Here's my new (old) bass. @100-120 years old, German, unknown maker. I first played it at David Gage's shop back around Thanksgiving. I spent an afternoon there playing everything, and this is the bass that ended up fitting me best. It's got a thick, warm sound and is even all the way to the very top. Its sound in the thumb positions is very clear and focused, but still warm. It's strung up with Obligatos. This is a do-it-all bass, perfect because I play a lot of Jazz and Solo and some Orchestral music. When it got to my house and I took it out of its case and started to play, I had a total lightbulb moment-- it just clicked immediately-- 'that's my sound'. It's exactly what I had been looking for. Now it needs a name...suggestions?

Charlie

P.S. apologies for the small pictures-- the utility wouldn't let me upload the big pictures because they were too large.

[Mike Smith]

Originally Posted by Charlie Hack

P.S. apologies for the small pictures-- the utility wouldn't let me upload the big pictures because they were too large.

I've addressed this problem by allowing the use of larger sized images in terms of height/width and also how much space it requires on disk. Can find out more about this in the new thread I created on adding images

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Charlie Hack

Now it needs a name...suggestions?

I named mine after the previous owner, Harold! I think our basses are cousins.

[Ken Smith]

I think that Bohemia refers to the area near Prague in central Czech and not near the German border. This Bass of your is clearly a Germanic Bass regardless of which side of the border it was made on. Bohemian Basses have a different look that the German Shop Basses which this one has the look of. Shoenbach was the area that bordered these two countries. Markneukirchen was another area close by where these were made as well as Bebenroth. Mittenwald also made some as well.

Clear signs are the outer linings, the basic shape, the spirit varnish and the tuners. All signs of early 20th century shop basses from the German/Czech region. These basses have been imported into USA for at least the last 80 years and carry various labels in them or none at all.

For more on this, see this section; http://www.smithbassforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17

This is what old Bohemian basses look like by the way as far as what I have learned;





These Basses all have a handmade look rather than a factory 'one-size-fits-all' that we see more often.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I think that Bohemia refers to the area near Prague in central Czech and not near the German border. This Bass of your is clearly a Germanic Bass regardless of which side of the border it was made on. Bohemian Basses have a different look that the German Shop Basses which this one has the look of.

So, the terms Bohemian, German, French, etc. really are used to define style, and not necessarily the actual location of manufacture? If my bass actually was made in Bohemia, as the label asserts, then it would be more accurately described as a German shop style bass made in Bohemia. Maybe Wilfer or another German maker had a shop in Bohemia.