Mathias Neuner bass, worth it?

[Frank Larouche]

Thanks mr. Smith!

I would love to have scroll pic too! The round back and the general look was bugging me too. From what I gathered, instrument labeled mathias Neuner where probably shop instrument so I doubt that a shop would have took the time to carved a round back.

Anyway the owner have the original receipt from his father that dated from 1952. 12k seems a bit high for a generic german shop bass from the early-mid 20th century.

francis

[Ken Smith]

Ok, there are 5 makers of that exact name, I, II, III, IV and V. Your label by date is probably from M.N. V., the label, NOT the bass. I have pictures in 2 books of that exact label but different dates on each. One by M.N. II and one from M.N. V. That means that the same label copies were used for 4 generations of the 5.

How easy is it to put a label in that doesn't belong? Well, with probably 1'000s of them printed on sheets, VERY easy.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

The way the upper bouts meet the c-bouts is different than most "shop" basses one encounters; it's extra-curvy there. The overall shape seems inspired by the French solo basses. As far as the date, it's really hard to tell via pictures, but I agree with Ken that it looks over-varnished or re-varnished.

[Frank Larouche]

Thanks Arnold and ken for the thoughts

The price is a little bit higher than my budget (5-7k, maybe a bit more), I will check it out and maybe talk a bit with the owner if the sound is good.

Arnold I agree with you, I have seen a couple of Juzek type shop bass and earlyer german blockless shop bass and the overall shape of this one is different.

What do you think of the price, does it seem fair for a possibly overvarnished bass of uncertain origin^

If I had a little bit more saving, I would definitely go to New York to visit your shop! You are two of my double bass hero for sure!

francis

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Frank Larouche

Thanks Arnold and ken for the thoughts

The price is a little bit higher than my budget (5-7k, maybe a bit more), I will check it out and maybe talk a bit with the owner if the sound is good.

Arnold I agree with you, I have seen a couple of Juzek type shop bass and earlyer german blockless shop bass and the overall shape of this one is different.

What do you think of the price, does it seem fair for a possibly overvarnished bass of uncertain origin^

If I had a little bit more saving, I would definitely go to New York to visit your shop! You are two of my double bass hero for sure!

francis

On the price considering what it is probably not, I think you can do better. Arnold has a nice old Czech bass there that is like an early Juzek but a flat back c.1920s that sounds good and is all original except for the gears and is way under that price. Traveling might save you money in the long run. Being stuck in one area allows dealers to jack it up without competition. Competition is a good thing and helps to keep it more honest I think.

[Stefano Senni]

to me it's a French bass, early 1900...

[Frank Larouche]

So I tried this bass this afternoon and the bass sound very very good even if it's been 15 years or so since nobody plays it. The strings were too high to play easily but the sound was fantastic. I played maybe a dozen of bass since I start to search and this is the best one of them all easily! Pizz the sound is really big and full of volume, even in all the register and with the bow it is something to say the least. The arco tone is the best one I have ever had. The bass is in good shape, the weird cracks are only scratches in the finish.

It is weird that Mr. Senni sees it as a french bass because the tuner are are french style like the Vuillaume school and the jacquet-gand on this site. It is old for sure and the appraiser tought so too (Forget in Montreal).

The finish is not that shiny in person, the pictures were misleading. The owner had the bass appreased and repaired for 4k in 2003 from a very good luthier in montreal so it seem a real bargain at that price.

Did I mention it sound fantastic!!

Do you think it not reasonnable for someone to take a loan for a instrument knowing that I'm a student for now but that i finish my degree in december?