Herold Jaeger: My Double Bass...

[Jason Mendelson]

I purchased this bass in Miami Florida from Paris Banchetti (http://www.parisbanchettiguitars.com/) in 1996. It was previouly owned by Lucas Drew from University of Miami (who I studied with along with Don Kaufman at UM while I was in High School)...

It was restored (mainly re-finish) and the low C was added at my request...

Has a beautiful huge sound that cuts through... I mainly use it for Jazz... In a small combo I would rarely mic it, depending on the venue...



I believe it is early 1800's... It had been repaired in 1942 in Pittsburg?

Flash:


No Flash:




One of the things I have been told is unique about this bass is the scroll how it does an extra half a spiral...

[Jason Mendelson]

[Ken Smith]

I believe Harold Jaeger is a 'brand' name of imported Basses coming into USA in the early 20th century which is about 100 years later than your estimate. I believe Bob Branstetter knows a bit about these and will chime in. I know that one of the west coast Orchestras ordered several 5-string models as one of the owners visited my Shop about a year ago. These are high quality German Shop Basses most likely post WWI. I could be wrong about the date by some but not by much.

There are several Jaegers listed in the Henley book but none named Harold. This happens with the Pfretzschner brand Basses as well using C.F. as the maker. Your Bass having a label with English writing is a clear sign this was an export product.

Still, like the other old shop Basses I have played, I am sure this sounds great. The condition is also good for it's age as well. Even though the Bass looks like it may have been re-finished at some point, it doesn't have the wear and tear or distress that a 200 year old Bass would have.

[Jason Mendelson]

I wish I knew more about it and would love to learn more!

And I just relised I mis-titled the thread...

Im not 100% sure on the age... I was told 1800's... Someone else told me it was Early... I could very well be wrong...

[Ken Smith]

I remember this name came up awhile ago on TB so I went and took a peek. The dates I found there of these Basses were 1933, 1938 and 1941. Some believe they could be Czech made as well. In the shop Bass biz, contractors bought where they could as did the Juzeks and the importers of the Morelli brand to mention a few.


This thread has been moved to 'Shop Basses' to be in its proper company.

[Bob Branstetter]

I don't have my reference books here to verify it, but I'm pretty sure that Harold Jaeger was one of the house brands of the Rudolph Wurlitzer Co. I've had several of this brand in my shop over the years. As I remember, the flatbacks were very ordinary, but the carved backs were well made and sounded good.

[Ken Smith]

By the way, if you ever replace those old Gears, call me! I have a set of those Gears on my Cornerless Bass and one of the handles is bent. Wouldn't mind having a set as back-ups. The date of the Gears on my Bass seems to be the date of its 3-string to 4-string conversion whenever that was..