" Name That Bass " aka "This OLD Bass"

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Ok, my idea(s) is(are) a little more playful, maybe you'll think frivolous.

I'm picturing "The British Big Boy Gamba". Or how about this one, "The Bountiful Big Ben Gamba"?

Oh, I'm on a roll. "The Beautiful, Big Bouty Gamba".

It's getting painful now, I think.

i think "big ben" would be adequate

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Anselm Hauke

i think "big ben" would be adequate

Big Ben? Really?.. lol..

oooooook..

[David Powell]

+1 for Big Ben!

Glad to hear everything is coming together so well with this bass. Years ago when I joined (eh, that other forum), it was to discuss this actual restoration with you, Ken. How time flys..

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by David Powell

+1 for Big Ben!

Glad to hear everything is coming together so well with this bass. Years ago when I joined (eh, that other forum), it was to discuss this actual restoration with you, Ken. How time flys..

The new/old Fawcett English Gears are just being fit as we speak. I also made in the shop here a book matched pair of Macassar Ebony Neck caps to fit the modified cut Block and sent them to NY. The work is slow but the Bass is looking beautiful so far.

[Ken Smith]

Nearing the Finish line, Biase called me yesterday for some depth measurements of the Neck at the 1st Position and at the 'D' by the Heel. I walked over to the Martini with 2 small rulers. I used one as a straight edge against the Back of the Neck and measured with the other. I also checked it with Dial Calipers deducting the String and Nut height as best I could. I came up with 24-25mm deep tapering to 28-30mm. I checked another Bass that had Grafted Neck by Arnold and it was just under those numbers. When the Martini first came over I had Biase put a new Fingerboard on it. The Neck overall turned out too thick as the original Neck had never been trimmed down so I did it myself. Later on while fitting the C-Extension Arnold just cleaned up the Heel and Pegbox underside with some matching Varnish as I only had some stain on it I mixed up. When it was determined that the Martini actually needed a Graft to replace the overly soft Italian Oppio Neck, I asked Arnold to copy the Martini Neck as exact as possible because I was used to it and it was my favorite playing Bass. He did as I had asked.

After giving the Neck depth numbers to Biase I called Arnold to ask what his numbers are normally. I had only the Pollmann in the shop to compare it to. That Bass was done earlier in the year but I wasn't sure about his standard shop measurements. Turns out that his numbers are about 2-4 mm less from top to bottom. Still, I gave the numbers that were on the Martini. Then, I went and measured the Martini again and they were as given the day before to Biase.

A few weeks earlier I gave Biase width measurements of both the Nut and Heel of the Neck using the Martini as well. Hopefully the 'Mystery Monster' will be as 'playable friendly' as the Martini when it's all done.

Right now, I am hoping for a Christmas present.. A BIG one.. lol

[Craig Regan]

You should consider naming it the "Biase Bass" for all the work he has done!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Craig Regan

You should consider naming it the "Biase Bass" for all the work he has done!

Well, he was the one chosen for this Bass but remember, I have had other Basses brought back to life by Arnold and never named one after him. Jed even has one of my Basses now as well for a full restoration and also one with Nick Lloyd.

The Mystery Bass is the first project I started when I started back playing and the one that has taken so long. This is mainly due to Biase's work time on it. He didn't really want the job or had the time for it but I convinced him to do it as I didn't know anyone else at the time.

Maybe the longer waiting time between steps has helped in the stability, maybe. He mentioned that he glued some of the Rib cracks over and over as they re-cracked as he straightened them out. The Ribs were wavy across the width and warped aya from the Blocks when I got the Bass. Now it looks pretty much flat across them. The Bass lays on either side on the floor nice and flat, even. Like re-bending wood. It takes time till the wood takes. In a case like this, his goal was to get everything back to where it used to be without forcing anything.

The varnish touch up looks beautiful as well. The Bass looks pretty good on the website from before the restoration but it looks way way better now. The Patina is a sight to see in person. I hope the new pictures I take when I update the webpage looks as good on-line as it does in person.