My first DB. I would like to know more...

[Ken Smith]

Hard to tell from the pictures if this is laminated or not. Only a close look at the edges thru the varnish can tell. Hi-res pics of the edges that I can blow up will help. The bass is Germanic in make and can be 50-80 years old.

The Scribble on the upper back is probably not original and this bass has had some serious repairs. Only a personal close inspection can valuate the repairs.

The back on the outside looks to be one piece, no center seam so the pics of the inside you showed on FB with the cleats might be fore the inner-laminate or, just for show, hence, laminated back.

I don't know what you paid but as I said, this is a heavily repaired bass from what I see. Repairs and corrections to repairs can be expensive. Returning a bass to its original condition if possible is usually much more than the old repairs as you have to un-do and re-do. 2-3x the cost. Missing old varnish can not be re-grown and this takes away from its value as well.


In the future, consult a bass Luthier before buying anything. It would be worth even to pay him for his advise, yea or nay.