Bass ID (repost from French section)

[Jeff Schwartz]

I think this is the appropriate location for this question.

I wrote in the French section of "This Old Bass:" "French? German?
Here are some photos of my bass: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32223245@N00/

It was called French school when I bought it from World of Strings but later described as German when they appraised it. No label or other markings that we could see inside. They guess 100-150 years old. It has been refinished. Slightly smaller than average 3/4 (I don't have the measurements handy - will add 'em later). Eb neck. I'm very happy with the sound and feel.

Anyway, I thought I'd see what the collective here can add to my knowledge of this particular instrument..."

Ken determined this was definitely not a French or French school bass but likely German or Czech. See http://smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?p=947#post947 for his full comments. So, I am reposting here.

The measurements (from the appraisal by Jon Peterson) are:
upper bout: 63.1cm
center bout: 37.3cm
lower bout: 105.8cm
mensur: 104.1

I can also add that the top is spruce, the back and ribs are maple, and the neck is sycamore.

Thanks for your input!

[Ken Smith]

While it is easy to measure with a metric tape measure the problem we see is that most people in USA don't know what those numbers mean. One time I asked a dealer in the US why he used metric #s on his website and his reply with a chuckle was that it made him look more sophisticated. I see dealers in Europe even using inches knowing that the 'Yank's' are watching so why use metric here where most have not a single clue what those #s mean?

To help out and correct this to the way I would have written it are the common language #s;

The measurements (from the appraisal by Jon Peterson) are:
upper bout: 24.85" (63.1cm)
center bout: 14.7" (37.3cm)
lower bout: 41.65" (105.8cm)
mensur: 41" (104.1)

The 'inch' measurements I used were rounded by dividing the CMs by 2.54 and using the decimal sustem for the conversion. I didn't watch the guy measure it so I don't know the exact roundings he may have used so I am just estimating here. Actually, if I was measuring it here in USA I would use 1/2", 1/4" and 1/8" #s as fractions of the inch for easier understanding as that's the common language used here in the States.

Here is an example from my website;
Storioni Cornerless Double Bass
Upper Bout: 19 7/8"
Center Bout: 16 3/8"
Bottom Bout: 27"
Rib Depth: 7 3/4" tapering to 5 3/4" at the Neck
Belly Length: 44 5/8"
String Length: 44 1/2" (currently set to 44 1/4")
----------------------------------------------------------------

These are measurements that the average person here can relate to. Europeans usually know both inches and metric as well. Actually, when some these older Basses were made centuries ago, the 'inch' system was still in place. The average size for a Violin back today is measured at 14" mostly and sometimes as 357mm. 360mm is long but most don't know it means 14 1/8th" which scares some fiddle buyers away being an 1/8" longer.

String length and mensur means the same thing but why go foreign and confuse half the readers? While using metric and European terms may make you look smarter to some, I don't think it's very good for business here at home. After all, why write in foreign when most or all of your business is actually domestic? I think that makes that 'smart' guy look a bit dumb actually.