1930s Alcoa Aluminium Double Bass - *SOLD* £3500 Bristol

[Burns-bass]

So, the day has come… I’m selling my 1930s Alcoa Aluminium Double Bass.

 

The bass is from the 1930s and was built in the States. Fewer than 500 were made and only a handful survive. Rare in the States, this is possibly the only one in the UK. (Apparently not - see below!)

 

I bought it last year and have loved owning it. The bass was set up by Thomas & George Martin with a new adjustable bridge. It was restrung and further fettled by Martin Penning. This has been worked on by the UK’s leading luthiers and it’s in wonderful playing condition.

 

Currently set-up with D’addario strings.
 

Size-wise it’s a *big* 3/4. Dimensions are listed below. It fits in a 3/4 bass case.
 

The measurement from the nut to the bridge is 108cm - so firmly in 4/4 territory here. It’s not laser accurate but it’s not a typical 3/4 by any means of the imagination.

 

Body length is 112cm, bottom bout about 68.5 (width) and top 53 width.

 

Sound wise it’s an odd thing. There’s a metallic thump to it and it amplifies amazingly well (especially if you use a magnetic pickup). A piezo can lead to feedback.

 

There are dents, marks and more on this bass. It’s 97 years old. 

 

The bass is structurally sound, stunningly set up and is unique. I’m selling because the gigs I have demand a wood bass and the Czech Ease does what I need it to.

 

This is for sale at £3500 which reflects the purchase price, work and new strings. It will come with a used 3/4 bag. The pickup will be removed (or can be purchased with negotiation). 

I am interested in trades. A smaller 3/4 (wood, obviously) would be of interest.

 

This is pickup only. No couriers, postage, pickup by a man with a van etc. It’s simply too valuable and downright cool to risk being damaged. 
 

Edited July 30 by Burns-bass

[Beedster]

Beautiful, a unique and quite extraordinary instrument. These sell for stupid money in the US, hard to put a ‘normal’ price on UK sales given they come up for sale around once every five years here. They also have unique tone, perfect for bluegrass and country but surprisingly good in jazz (great for rockabilly of course).
 

Frankly I think Lawrie’s underpriced this, but he’s like that 👍

[Beedster]

And if it’s still around in early September I’ll be coming down to try it out Lawrie 👍

[Burns-bass]

39 minutes ago, Beedster said:

Beautiful, a unique and quite extraordinary instrument. These sell for stupid money in the US, hard to put a ‘normal’ price on UK sales given they come up for sale around once every five years here. They also have unique tone, perfect for bluegrass and country but surprisingly good in jazz (great for rockabilly of course).
 

Frankly I think Lawrie’s underpriced this, but he’s like that 👍

Cheers Chris. They’re remarkable things and I hope someone loves it as much as I did.

 

 

[tayste_2000]

@Happy Jack 🤷‍♂️

[Happy Jack]

6 minutes ago, tayste_2000 said:

@Happy Jack 🤷‍♂️

 

Do you think I'm made of aluminium, Steve? 

[Happy Jack]

@Burns-bass, is there any point asking how much this beast weighs?

[Beedster]

9 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

 

Do you think I'm made of aluminium, Steve? 

There have been rumours Jack 🙂

[Burns-bass]

7 minutes ago, Happy Jack said:

@Burns-bass, is there any point asking how much this beast weighs?

I’m pretty sure I could get a semi-accurate measurement tomorrow. Leave it with me!

[TheRev]

Ooof....

[slap_it_hard]

Just so you know, there are a couple in the UK I know of & I believe an accurate number is more like 586.

 

These are of course very seldomly seen.

Good luck with the sale.

[Burns-bass]

9 minutes ago, slap_it_hard said:

Just so you know, there are a couple in the UK I know of & I believe an accurate number is more like 586.

 

These are of course very seldomly seen.

Good luck with the sale.

Fair enough. Where did you get the information on number? I’ve obviously read up where I can but I’m sure a new owner would be interested.

 

There is a faint number inside and I’ll picture it tomorrow when I get a chance.

[Happy Jack]

25 minutes ago, Burns-bass said:

I’m pretty sure I could get a semi-accurate measurement tomorrow. Leave it with me!

 

By way of context, and using the ever-popular kitchen scales method of precision measurement, my 3/4 AliKat weighs about 33lbs and my 4/4 ply Zeller weighs about 25lbs.

 

 

[slap_it_hard]

9 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

Fair enough. Where did you get the information on number? I’ve obviously read up where I can but I’m sure a new owner would be interested.

 

There is a faint number inside and I’ll picture it tomorrow when I get a chance.

I've done a reasonable amount of research about Alcoas over the years.

Don't be fooled by any number you find stamped  near the pegboard either.

[Burns-bass]

45 minutes ago, slap_it_hard said:

I've done a reasonable amount of research about Alcoas over the years.

Don't be fooled by any number you find stamped  near the pegboard either.

No, I’ve heard that. It’s the internal number that matters. Will get that today (and weigh it!)