simwells Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 Just picked up this bass, and as I know basically nothing about them thought I would ask on here if anyone could tell me any more about it other than being made in Czechoslovakia (as it was at the time!) and fairly old. Also as you can see the neck/fingerboard seems to be currently set at an odd angle and so I presume will need resetting, any suggestions on a rough cost of getting this done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted January 18, 2012 Author Share Posted January 18, 2012 Just realised the picture doesn't exactly show the neck alignment well! Can take more if it helps but viewed straight on the E string is no longer over the fretboard at the end of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 (edited) looks like the entire neck is coming away from the body to me, so might need to be taken apart and re glued... I hate to scare you but the last time my bass was opened (back table off) to repair a shrink crack, which was luckily an insurance job, it cost £550 (that was in the 90's) I don't think a neck re set would cost you that but it's a lot of hours to take it apart re glue the neck put it back together... Edited January 18, 2012 by jakenewmanbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted January 18, 2012 Share Posted January 18, 2012 I would take it to Kai Dase http://kaidaseviolins.com/ He's a great luthier and the nearest Double bass expert to you. You won't get an accurate estimate by pictures alone. I agree with Jake that it will be expensive. It needs a lot of work, but the price will depend on how you go about the repairs (do you remove the top etc) I think it will cost a fair amount. Bear in mind that apart from the repair work you will need it set up, new strings, possible new bridge, nut, soundpost etc.... It looks plywood to me. Could be a nice bass. Good luck getting it sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 Is that Kai that worked for Turner violins? He was a nice guy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fonzoooroo Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 It's just an "hours at the bench" job... Cost depends on how easily the neck comes out, (which tends to depend on the glue used by the well meaning DIYer) If you were incredibly lucky, it could be out/back in in an hour. (+overnight drying... you're only looking at £50) That's best case scenario though - realistically, expect another couple of hours work! To repair the button properly, the back needs to come off - Personally, I wouldn't worry about that on one of these... As long as the joint fits properly, it'll be fine. Once the neck's set, you may either need the bridge re-cut, raised and re-cut, or replaced. Is that crack in the chin of the scroll still open too, or is it repaired? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 [quote name='Mr Bassman' timestamp='1326935588' post='1504126'] Is that Kai that worked for Turner violins? He was a nice guy! [/quote] Yeh he's set up on his own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simwells Posted January 19, 2012 Author Share Posted January 19, 2012 [quote name='fonzoooroo' timestamp='1326959355' post='1504170'] It's just an "hours at the bench" job... Cost depends on how easily the neck comes out, (which tends to depend on the glue used by the well meaning DIYer) If you were incredibly lucky, it could be out/back in in an hour. (+overnight drying... you're only looking at £50) That's best case scenario though - realistically, expect another couple of hours work! To repair the button properly, the back needs to come off - Personally, I wouldn't worry about that on one of these... As long as the joint fits properly, it'll be fine. Once the neck's set, you may either need the bridge re-cut, raised and re-cut, or replaced. Is that crack in the chin of the scroll still open too, or is it repaired? [/quote] Thanks, looks like I'll have to take it and see what they estimate then, the scroll crack I thought had been repaired but on closer inspection sadly I think not but there is virtually no movement in it currently at least, still another thing to repair though! Any suggestions on value of this once repaired? So I know if it's even worth undertaking when I get a quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassvid75 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 i could be wrong but it looks like it have been painted years ago. the best thing its definitely take it to a luthier,meanwhile perhaps you should take few more pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassvid75 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 nice bass by the way,congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakenewmanbass Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 [quote name='simwells' timestamp='1326963273' post='1504221'] Thanks, looks like I'll have to take it and see what they estimate then, the scroll crack I thought had been repaired but on closer inspection sadly I think not but there is virtually no movement in it currently at least, still another thing to repair though! Any suggestions on value of this once repaired? So I know if it's even worth undertaking when I get a quote. [/quote] I couldn't say from the pics but I would imagine any decent luthier should be able to give you an idea of the value. If you got it cheap or free and it cost a few hundred to repair/set up then you have done ok in my view assuming it sounds ok. I have played a couple of chzech basses and some of them sound great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisd24 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 I was bidding on this myself,assuming its the same bass? (it came from Market Harborough?) I did some research and it looked to be a juzek Chzech built laminate bass,not sure if that info is of any use i just thought i would pass it on....no hard feelings for beating me in the auction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassvid75 Posted January 19, 2012 Share Posted January 19, 2012 [quote name='chrisd24' timestamp='1326977676' post='1504565'] I was bidding on this myself,assuming its the same bass? (it came from Market Harborough?) I did some research and it looked to be a juzek Chzech built laminate bass,not sure if that info is of any use i just thought i would pass it on....no hard feelings for beating me in the auction [/quote] me too,i recieve fotos on request. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockabillybob1 Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 i have had one of these in perfect condition sounded warm and full but even done up you wouldnt get more than 5 to 600 pounds so bear that in mind with repair costs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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