steviedee Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 (edited) Just bought two double basses and a cello for next to nothing at a local market the guy wanted rid of them Selmer 1/2: Czech made everything intact but has a crack in the body. Boosey And Hawkes 3/4 : has a foreign sticker in it violin bloke I know, reckons it's Czech, cracked as well and needs everything tuning pegs etc Musima Cello: East German in great nick beginners instrument needs all the bits. Anybody got an idea how much it would cost to fix a crack in the body of a bass, in all honestly they were so cheap it would have to be really pricey for it not to be worthwhile.. The Selmer is really lovely actually looks hand made. What a day! Thats my bass back from the luthier I have to say the guy was brilliant and he has done a fantastic job here is a pic Over the moon! Edited September 22, 2008 by steviedee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahambrown1986 Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 thats amazing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joél Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Lucky man! Can I be cheeky and ask how much you forked out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviedee Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 I got the lot for £75, the cracks in the two DBs will cost I think but I reckon they'll be worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Oh man, Ive been looking for a double bass, (ANY) double bass for cheap like that...you are a lucky lucky guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeonMig Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Wow 75 is a steal. Shouldn't cost TOO much to fix a crack... show us a picture and we'll give you a better guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviedee Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 I'll take some pics when I nip home at lunch I reckon the 3/4 might be more worrying than the smaller one even though it has one almighty crack it's nowhere near the soundposts. But I reckon the 3/4 has cracks in more critical places Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviedee Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 Hi folks here are the pics of the cracks so any advice or idea of costs would be much appreciated. Selmer pretty nasty looking crack The B+H doesn't look as bad but reckon it might be in more serious position Any help would be appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeonMig Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Ouch. But okay, definately fixable (I've seen worse that's been fixed) but since I'm not too familiar with UK rates I'll not hazard a guess and risk confusion. Suffice to say, the total cost of the repairs+actually buying the thing would be way, way lower than a new bass of inferior quality! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviedee Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 Cheers mate that's what I was hoping to hear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Cracking find those. See if you can find a luthier/repairman up near you. There will be somebody in either Glasgow or Edinburgh that can sort the repairs and they will be able to give you a good estimate of the basses and their construction. e.g. carved or laminate, ebony fingerboard and tail piece etc... You planning on getting into the wonderful world of double bass? Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviedee Posted August 18, 2008 Author Share Posted August 18, 2008 [quote]You planning on getting into the wonderful world of double bass?[/quote] Yeah I've been looking at forums emailing people and pricing various basses so it was total luck that I stumbled on these guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 Nice lot! great price. Could be expensive to repair though! To repair a crack in the top, the top has to come off! I have a mid 19th cent German flatback that had cracks repaired some years ago at a cost of over £800 according to its previous owner. This book [u]http://www.henrystrobel.com/booklist.htm#bass[/u] is worth a read, but it costs nearly as much as your bargain trio! That lower bout crack needs a proffessional repair, don't bodge it! Please try and preserve these old instruments. cheers Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviedee Posted August 19, 2008 Author Share Posted August 19, 2008 Off to see a Luthier today keep you posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeonMig Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 800 to repair an antique instrument, so probably a lot less to repair something non-antique (if those were antiques the guy would've auctioned them off, trust me). Still all in all, a great bargin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caoimhin Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I know most luthiers in Europe charge €1000 to take the top off a bass regardless of its age/worth etc. Stevie, you could try Paul Hyland in Anniesland College on the Great Western Road - he's the main tutor there in the violin/guitar making course. If he won't do it himself I'm sure he'll recommend some one else who will. He might even have a student willing to tackle it as a repair project which would save you a lot of money if you have the patience... Best of luck with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caoimhin Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 Sorry just saw your post that your going to go see some one today - let us know how you got on! (By the way, just noticed you need a bridge for the 3/4. When I was thinking of changing out mine I was quoted around €250 for a fitting alone - but sure tell us what you've been quoted) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crookysax Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 What market in Glasgow did you get that great deal from?? Please dont say the barra's, cos im down that side of the toon all the time!! Good buy! Well done! Chris! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviedee Posted August 19, 2008 Author Share Posted August 19, 2008 [quote]Stevie, you could try Paul Hyland in Anniesland College on the Great Western Road - he's the main tutor there in the violin/guitar making course. If he won't do it himself I'm sure he'll recommend some one else who will. He might even have a student willing to tackle it as a repair project which would save you a lot of money if you have the patience...[/quote] Cheers that's a really great idea my neighbor works at Anniesland I'll try them. The guys I saw wouldn't give me a price but thought it would be expensive, I've spoke to another bloke though and he seemed pretty reasonable and has a good rep. [quote]What market in Glasgow did you get that great deal from?? Please dont say the barra's, cos im down that side of the toon all the time!![/quote] It was the Barras sorry mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crookysax Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 [quote name='steviedee' post='265507' date='Aug 19 2008, 02:00 PM']Cheers that's a really great idea my neighbor works at Anniesland I'll try them. The guys I saw wouldn't give me a price but thought it would be expensive, I've spoke to another bloke though and he seemed pretty reasonable and has a good rep. It was the Barras sorry mate![/quote] Damm! LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fox Posted August 19, 2008 Share Posted August 19, 2008 I'm probably going to get my ass kicked for saying this but I like the look of a well beaten up bass... None of this aged "Jaco copy" stuff (with the age pre worn at the workshop), but real history in dem dings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overwater#1 Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Two very attractive basses them.. For £75.. jees!?! I always love that Italian? style body of the one on the right, those curves are stunning! Surely you can't fit three in the house?? Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeonMig Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Battle scars show that a bass has been used. I don't mind them too much as long as they're not too unsightly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 [quote name='Caoimhin' post='265350' date='Aug 19 2008, 12:00 PM']Sorry just saw your post that your going to go see some one today - let us know how you got on! (By the way, just noticed you need a bridge for the 3/4. When I was thinking of changing out mine I was quoted around €250 for a fitting alone - but sure tell us what you've been quoted)[/quote] Blimey, it's pricey over there. The chap at Chappel Allerton Strings did mine for way less. Hopefully stevie can find someone to do the work for him relatively cheaply. He may even be able to pay in stages or something to help with the cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviedee Posted August 20, 2008 Author Share Posted August 20, 2008 There has been a lot of very helpful people in touch so its been great and I reckon I'll get some help with the set up I'm a wee bit worried about the cracks. The only people have seen are good but pricey and I just got the impression they weren't really too interested in the repair business so I have some other contacts. A friend of mine suggested I go to a guitar luthier the guy is a great craftsman but I don't know if he would do it or if he could do it but I'll find out. Another luthier I spoke seemed to be very reasonable told me you didn't always need to take the top off you can glue the bass but there is always a chance the cracks will reopen, you know considering the bass cost around £25 its a risk I might take, this guys sounded spot on but was really busy and you know I fancy a wee shot on the bass you know how it is So I'm scouting about still very positive you know its a bit of a project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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