lowlandtrees Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 This is a friends bass. His dad left him the instrument. I have asked if I can see it but he seems a bit guarded and doesn’t seem to want to answer the obvious questions that I have asked...internal /external markings etc so I have let it go. I am interested to know a bit more about it. It looks like it needs some serious repairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted November 19, 2019 Share Posted November 19, 2019 It’s very pretty... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathode_Follower Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Looks like at least a few thousand in repairs to me. Unless you can establish the provenance of the instrument (looks like an English shape to me. Anyone..?) I wouldn't risk more than a few hundred buying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philparker Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Ouch! I don't like the look of those ribs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted November 20, 2019 Share Posted November 20, 2019 Looks like the bridge might be warped too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowlandtrees Posted November 21, 2019 Author Share Posted November 21, 2019 Don’t intend to buy. I think that my mate reckons that it has value. Don’t really want to be the person to break the news....but it looks interesting. His dad played it professionally in the 50s/60s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 15 hours ago, lowlandtrees said: Don’t intend to buy. I think that my mate reckons that it has value. Don’t really want to be the person to break the news....but it looks interesting. His dad played it professionally in the 50s/60s. Take it to a local professional. If it's a Hawkes bass then it could have significant value, even after you spend money on restoration. The chances are, if the guy was a professional, the bass could have some value but the only person who would know is a pro! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickA Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 You know, a few cracks in the table (if that is what the front is properly called) isn't an issue. The rest of the front looks rather nice and it has quality tuners too. Shame about the ribs, but a decent mender should put it right and a new bridge and maybe sound-post would be part of a normal first time setup. Probably worth a few £1000 .. so worth spending a few £100 on; expensive things double basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HumblePie Posted December 25, 2019 Share Posted December 25, 2019 It appears to be a quality Instrument, probably 100 years old, could be worth a restauration, the existing repairs seem rather crude though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilp Posted December 30, 2019 Share Posted December 30, 2019 There is a significant sum to be spent there - well into 4 figures, maybe even 5, depending on the condition of the bits we can't see (neck, back, rest of the ribs, blocks etc). It might have value, but equally it might be a Bohemian factory bass on an Italian model - not an English shape, not a Hawkes in my opinion. Risky purchase with no provenance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowlandtrees Posted December 31, 2019 Author Share Posted December 31, 2019 20 hours ago, neilp said: There is a significant sum to be spent there - well into 4 figures, maybe even 5, depending on the condition of the bits we can't see (neck, back, rest of the ribs, blocks etc). It might have value, but equally it might be a Bohemian factory bass on an Italian model - not an English shape, not a Hawkes in my opinion. Risky purchase with no provenance Yes.. I suspect this myself...I never had purchase interest (got an old Hawkes)...it looks like a quality instrument that has been severely treated. I think the family was hoping it was valuable....don’t really want to be the one to break the news but someone should Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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