Getting ready to restore

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Pete Reynolds

I'm getting ready to restore this bass. I would like an opinion about this instrument before I decide how much to do. I can't tell who made it. The only label is the "Made in Czechoslovakia" sticker. Can anyone tell the approximate age? I have owned it since 1958 or so. Played many jazz gigs over the years.

A "Made in Czechoslovakia" sticker means it was made after WWI and labeled for export. This bass already looks like it was refinished and not such a good job. The varnish on these 'factory/shop-type basses made for export' is usually of low quality. I am sure since the original varnish is gone another better attempt wont be such a bad idea if done to a high violin grade standard.