The Koussevitzky / Karr Bass -- Scientific Dating ****ysis

[Joel Larsson]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Imagine having a report on every old bass attached to it at the time of sale. What would that add to the price?

It seems like the price would actually have to be lowered, doesn't it?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Joel Larsson

It seems like the price would actually have to be lowered, doesn't it?

Lowered if it disproves the maker and date. But raised if all is correct and you have the added cost of dating it and proving it.

It can swing either way or not at all.

For instance, I have a Gilkes and a Hart made less than 20 years apart. Unless they can prove the dates and origin of a later date and different maker, proving it correct will not raise the price. Dis-proving anything can easily hurt.

On my Gamba, if we find the Bass is Gagliano and not a later English copy then the price would go up.

More than usual, Basses are proved to be as-is or later, hardly ever earlier.

Sometimes you see a dealer selling some Italian or French or English bass for a fantastic price. Then you find out it's NOT what the say it is and the price is actually High for what it really Is. Not such a good deal then huh?