Lion Head Bass ID

[Nelson Cascais]

Hi everybody,

I bought this bass 3 years ago to a german guy.
The set up was made by Bruno Destrez by the time he was in Lisbon, two years ago.
It´s the bass I´ve been playing and recording with since then.
I lend it to Buster Williams for a Festival gig here in Lisbon and he loved it. Actually he wanted to buy it but I decided not to sell it for now.
It sounds pretty good and I´m curious about its origin, age and value.
Can anyone give me a clue?

Thanks
Nelson

[Ken Smith]

The style of the bass is not old. Looks like modern Hungarian/Romanian. The Tapered Rib depth from bottom to Top is modern. You are probably older than the bass. This is what I can see. Varnish, cracks and oxidation can all be faked.

Those Chinese Gears are what you often see on these fakes. The outer surface of the Peg box is brand spankin' new. You are probably the first owner of this bass.

Looks like a nice model, attractive, good wood chosen and comfortable to play. How is it built internally can only be fully evaluated IF taken apart. A lot can be seen from looking inside but the gluing of the blocks, bass bar fit and neck set can only be known if taken apart and re-built.

I can't tell you the Value but a nice antiqued bass, well built with good sound and a Lion carving (not the most attractive I have seen) can be anywhere from under $10k to over $20k.

In 1976 I sold a beautiful bass like this in basic design, made in Germany or Czechoslovakia between 1920-1930, 3/4 violin model round back, high flamed maple, great condition and the best to my eye Lion I had ever seen. The bass looked better than it sounded. I sold it then to a student for $2600. My Gustave Bernardel c.1859 in near mint condition sold around that same time for $3800. My old Rivolta Italian bass then was appraised for $10k so that was near the top of a bass unless it was from one of the master Italians. Prices are way different now.

Your bass if internally made well would be almost a similar value to my Lion which was branded internally 'Hans Schirmer'. Having a name and a country helps.

Is there something stamped under the upper back button? Your picture is cut off. Can I see one of the upper back, a clear one?

[Arnold Schnitzer]

The maple and the stylized lion head look distinctly Chinese to my eye.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

The maple and the stylized lion head look distinctly Chinese to my eye.

Ok, I didn't even think that. I know it's a modern design by the Rib taper so the Chinese picking up the Gypsies, a copy of a copy.. I'll agree with that possibility. Ming period Arnold?