Another possible (french?) purchase

[Frank Larouche]

Hello all,

Here is a bass that the seller say is french and from late 19th century. He also says that the neck (and probably the scroll) is not the original one. What do you think? Does it seem possible to your trained eyes? It is right in my budget and I have been looking for a long time.

Thanks in advance for your insight

Francis

[Frank Larouche]

http://s1164.photobucket.com/albums/...ncis_Larouche/

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Frank Larouche

http://s1164.photobucket.com/albums/...ncis_Larouche/

The scroll is in keeping with the bass. Late 19th to early 20th century is likely the period. The bass looks totally Germanic in style. The angled flatback is NOT a French trait at all. I think it can be German, Czech, Austrian or Hungarian but nothing French at all.

Maybe ask him why he thinks it's French like what part of the bass makes him think that other than the color.
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Ok, looking at the front and side of the Scroll now I think this is Hungarian, same period of time, 80-120 years old or so, maybe less but not more.

Hungarian. That is my opinion after looking at all the pics, not German, Czech or Austrian and not close to French in any way.

[Frank Larouche]

Ok, this is a bit what I tought, I had never seen a two-piece flatback on a french bass. Do you think that it is all hand made by the same guy, or that it is a shop bass? I know it's hard to tell with only pics. If the bass is hungarian what is a pallpark in therm of price? 5 to 10k or it can fetch a higher price? 10-20 k?

The seller think part of it is french because there is a french label inside with the name of Paul Blanchard. It's surely fake.

Do you think the whole bass could be a new bass antiqued?

Thanks a lot for the answers!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Frank Larouche

Ok, this is a bit what I tought, I had never seen a two-piece flatback on a french bass. Do you think that it is all hand made by the same guy, or that it is a shop bass? I know it's hard to tell with only pics. If the bass is hungarian what is a pallpark in therm of price? 5 to 10k or it can fetch a higher price? 10-20 k?

The seller think part of it is french because there is a french label inside with the name of Paul Blanchard. It's surely fake.

Do you think the whole bass could be a new bass antiqued?

Thanks a lot for the answers!

The front of the scroll has very sharp lines so it can be new and antiqued. I would have to inspect the bass personally to give any more opinions from what I have so far but it does look Hungarian, old or new.

[Frank Larouche]

Thanks for your insight!!!

If I try it I will definitively bring it to a luthier to be sure. Ultimately the sound will be an important factor too.