Soundpost crack and value

[PatrickCowan]

Hello all,

My bass has developed what appears to be the beginnings of a sound post crack. I've seen a local luthier about this who estimated this as an approximately $3000 repair bill and a couple months in the shop. He can't fit it into his schedule for right now and I intend to take it to another local luthier for a second opinion.

My question is, in a general sense, how will this affect the value of the bass? It's a German factory bass from either the 20's, 30's or turn of the 1900's, depending on which luthier I've asked. It's currently appraised at $13,000, although I would expect to get less in an actual sale. Once I spend the three grand, or whatever, to get it properly repaired, what kind of decrease in value am I looking at?

I've since purchased a second bass (thanks Arnold and Will ) and this bass is in a holding pattern (with top tension removed) until I get it fixed.