Description
Every 6-12 months an older German bass comes to the shop that performs far outside expectations for it, based on the pedigree. This ca. 1920s German 3/4 carved back is one of those. Owned by the same California family for several decades, this instrument has proven itself to be a solid and colorful performer in orchestral settings. Now out of storage in Palm Strings, the bass has undergone some top-off saddle crack repairs, a couple of side cracks newly re-repaired, and gotten a new bridge and setup refinement from ace doublebass luthier, Jason Brown. The wood choices are quite good for an unlabeled shop bass. The mildly flame figured maple back and sides is mirrored in the neck wood. The tuning machines are typical for the period, save for the interesting thumb nuts at the string post ends. The nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle are all high quality ebony. The new bridge was made from a Despiau blank and high quality adjusters. The 10 mm steel rod endpin is older, but clean and free working. The oil varnish has lost some of its red color over time, leaving a greenish hue. Now strung with Pirastro Original Flexocore strings, the voice is solid and resonant down through the bottom notes. This bass is a strong candidate for a C extension.
Dimensions are:
Top length 42″ (106.7 cm), Upper bout width 19 3/4″ (49.2 cm), Middle bout width 14 1/2″ (36.8 cm), Lower bout width 25 1/2″ (64.8 cm), Rib depth at tail 7 5/8″ (19.4 cm), Rib depth at upper bout corner 7 1/2″ (19.1 cm), Rib depth at neck 6″ (15.2 cm), Length of back including button 44″ (11.8 cm), String length 41 3/4″ (106.0 cm).
This bass can serve as a soling orchestral bass with a brighter string, such as Flexocore Deluxe, or even as a fine traditional jazz bass, strung with Spirocore which or orchestra gauge strings. Choice of several well-fit covers.
