Bohemian Bass

[Ken Smith]

I think that Bohemia refers to the area near Prague in central Czech and not near the German border. This Bass of your is clearly a Germanic Bass regardless of which side of the border it was made on. Bohemian Basses have a different look that the German Shop Basses which this one has the look of. Shoenbach was the area that bordered these two countries. Markneukirchen was another area close by where these were made as well as Bebenroth. Mittenwald also made some as well.

Clear signs are the outer linings, the basic shape, the spirit varnish and the tuners. All signs of early 20th century shop basses from the German/Czech region. These basses have been imported into USA for at least the last 80 years and carry various labels in them or none at all.

For more on this, see this section; http://www.smithbassforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17

This is what old Bohemian basses look like by the way as far as what I have learned;





These Basses all have a handmade look rather than a factory 'one-size-fits-all' that we see more often.