Any ideas what this bass might be (worth)?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Sam Finlay

Ken, you should come and see the Mittenwald bass that Mike and Sprocket are finishing up now. It will been completely restored here and has had a long career in orchestras. From what I can tell, it will be a cannon.Sam Finlay,DGSI

Sam, thanks for stopping by. In a subject like this I don't see how any informative post can be 'long'.

It is funny that I happen to have a bass nearly identical in style and make to the one posted above. Unfortunately, mine was mis-repaired in another shop years ago and also appraised and sold as a French Bass.

Now that you are here, please tell me you agree that no confirmed French bass ever has outer linings. Only 'French-like' shape or 'around' purfling.

When ever someone shows me a bass with outer linings and tells me he has a French bass, I immediately feel he was mis-led and possibly overcharged.

Regardless of the outline and purfling style (not the actual purfling used), doesn't the outer linings make it 100% obvious that it's NOT French?

Your thoughts please on that..

Also, on that Mittenwalder you have, I just want to see pictures of them. I have one of my own and it doesn't always get along with my English and Italian basses in the same rack.. lol

By the way, my Mitten-bass actually looks to be an English Tarr-ish outline. However, I think it's just a bass they made on that style and not to be shipped off to England. The Varnish under the repairs seems old German to me. What do you think about it?

As always, I would be more than happy to come by and see the basses that come into your shop from time to time but getting out for even Lunch seems to be difficult these days. I made it down once a couple of years ago so I am sure it will happen again. For me, it's actually easier going up to Arnold's and avoiding the city traffic. Coming out of the tunnel is one thing but driving around the block to go back could take an hour. Last time I was in NY, it took me an hour and a half to get from the Williamsburg bridge to the Tunnel. Then the same time to get home from there. 100 miles to Pa. in the same time as 1/one mile from bridge to tunnel. Oh, and free parking here. Bring the basses here and we can have lunch.