To Cut, or Not to Cut? (TB Save)

[Ken Smith]

Member Question; I vote to preserve all that is original or altered on any bass that comes in your possession. I know it is tempting to make it playable to your specs but this is history and too much of it is already gone. I say don't cut it, re-bend it. Some day the bass world will thank you.

So what are you saying then?

Being it is a Mystery Bass to all that have seen it, please help me out with the History on it if you know something.

I am trying to make it playable again. I don't know anyone who would use it as it was. It was laying in a basement for most of the 20th century because it was unplayable. It fell apart, ribs peeling off the blocks, coal dust filling the cracks... etc..

No one I know will or can play a Bass this size in a modern Orchestra with a 46" Top (up to the neck only, 47" to the tip) and upper bouts almost 22" with high shoulders and a 44" string length. these measurements ARE the reason why it was not played much in the last 100 years. I plan on changing that.