Some questions about a bass

[Fernando González]

Hello,
I have a bass labeled.....


I think Jean Cavalli isn´t the maker but the dealer. I suposse thie dealer entrust instruments to a maker probably not so distant.
This is the bass...





Do you think it´s German or French? Probably the neck isn´t original.
It has also a lengh string of 108 cm. (nearly 43"). I´d like to shorten to 42 or less. Here in Spain people doesn´t like so long. Any ideas for making this change? May be a extended nut was enough or even move the bridge. Any advise from the masters, please?

Thank you

[Ken Smith]

Please show the Back, the sides/ribs and more angles of the scroll. Straight on plain shots please, no artistic angles please.

From the pics you show I can't tell much at all. I can't see the wood!

[Fernando González]

Sorry!
The wood is almost plain excluding the back.

[Ken Smith]

Close up of the body/front FFs and all angles of the Scroll, 4 sides please..

[Fernando González]

No problem!!!

[Fernando González]

And now I must go to sleep.....It´s a very serious advise of my wife....
Tomorrow I´ll read your replies.

Regards,
Fernando.

[Ken Smith]

Well.. Lausanne huh? That's in Switzerland near France and slightly north west of Turin, Italy.

Do you know for sure if the Varnish on the body is original or has the Bass been refinished or over varnished?

If I had to guess I would say the Varnish looks French but the Bass could be Swiss. The Bass looks more German than French to me. Maybe there was a shop in Switzerland making these or, it may have come in the white from Germany.

The wood of the Scroll looks to be Beechwood. That usually spells German but it's no guarantee.

Play safe and call it a Swiss Shop-Bass. Can't go wrong with that.

Cavalli by the way is an Italian name and Jean is of French origin. Mixed parents or a made up trade name? Your guess is as good as mine. I can't find anything with that name listed, sorry.