What is my bass

[David Blane]

Hi can you tell me anything about my bass, when I bought it I was told it was about a hundred years old and was French, or possibly German

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by David Blane

Hi can you tell me anything about my bass, when I bought it I was told it was about a hundred years old and was French, or possibly German

I have seen these gears on modern Hungarian fakes. This bass looks brand new with no age or life experience shown. I think it is new Hungarian. Where was it purchased?

Same gears as on this Bass?

[David Blane]

Hi Ken

The bass was bought from the violin shop in Glasgow a couple of years ago. The dealer said it had probably been refinished. The bass has solid top and back and probably sides. There is a significant amount of shrinkage that has caused the sides (at the bottom of the bass) to be level with the edge of the back. I dont have a decent photo at the moment but you can just make it out on the one that I have attached. Would this happen if the bass was modern?

Cheers

Dave

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by David Blane

Hi Ken

The bass was bought from the violin shop in Glasgow a couple of years ago. The dealer said it had probably been refinished. The bass has solid top and back and probably sides. There is a significant amount of shrinkage that has caused the sides (at the bottom of the bass) to be level with the edge of the back. I dont have a decent photo at the moment but you can just make it out on the one that I have attached. Would this happen if the bass was modern?

Cheers

Dave

It could be in the antiquing, they do this as well. They can 'cook' the wood to make it look like that. In real, a bass would split a few times on the ribs or top when it shrinks. This was pre-shrunk like they make Jeans.

What are the Ribs measurements on the bottom block, lower corner, upper corner and middle upper bout. Measure ONLY the Rib wood, not the top or back.

[David Blane]

Hi Ken
The shrinkage does cause the back to separate from the ribs and I have to glue it down every so often. I will have to get it fixed eventualiy
The Rib Depth (if I am measuring in the right places) bottom block 8" lower corner 8 1/4" upper corner 7 7/8" upper bout where neck joins body

Cheers

Dave

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by David Blane

Hi Ken
The shrinkage does cause the back to separate from the ribs and I have to glue it down every so often. I will have to get it fixed eventualiy
The Rib Depth (if I am measuring in the right places) bottom block 8" lower corner 8 1/4" upper corner 7 7/8" upper bout where neck joins body

Cheers

Dave

If you mean seasonal movement then I don't call this shrinkage. Shrinkage is something that is permanent like the plates at the lower bouts no longer overhanging the ribs so you have to shorten the ribs at the block. THAT is what I call shrinkage. Still, the bass looks new and well antiqued. Not French but possibly Hungarian. That treatment in the upper back is found on newer basses from China, Romania and Hungary.

Something like this but without the purfling frills.