Mr Bassman Posted June 13, 2009 Share Posted June 13, 2009 I've an old flat back believed to be about 130 -150 years old there's no makers label or date visible. I'm thinking of selling or trading but not sure of it's real value. It's well worn but very playable. There is a repairers label (George Stoppani) dated 1989. According to the previous owner the work cost several hundred pounds [url="http://www.stoppani.co.uk/"]http://www.stoppani.co.uk/[/url] Last year I saw a similar bass (restored) in a posh shop in Edinburgh for £10,000 The closest I can find on the net is [url="http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2759.htm"]http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2759.htm[/url] (which has had the neck replaced) Any help appreciated. [attachment=26978:DSC02573.JPG][attachment=26979:DSC02577.JPG][attachment=26981:DSC02579.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted June 14, 2009 Share Posted June 14, 2009 hey keith, great looking bass, its not one of the ones i played is it? i dont remember the flat back looking like that?...cheers Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted June 14, 2009 Author Share Posted June 14, 2009 [quote name='geoffbassist' post='513086' date='Jun 14 2009, 01:13 AM']hey keith, great looking bass, its not one of the ones i played is it? i dont remember the flat back looking like that?...cheers Geoff[/quote] Hi Geoff, yes, you played this one when you and Paul came over to my place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major-Minor Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 [quote name='Mr Bassman' post='513023' date='Jun 13 2009, 10:34 PM']I've an old flat back believed to be about 130 -150 years old there's no makers label or date visible. I'm thinking of selling or trading but not sure of it's real value. It's well worn but very playable. There is a repairers label (George Stoppani) dated 1989. According to the previous owner the work cost several hundred pounds [url="http://www.stoppani.co.uk/"]http://www.stoppani.co.uk/[/url] Last year I saw a similar bass (restored) in a posh shop in Edinburgh for £10,000 The closest I can find on the net is [url="http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2759.htm"]http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2759.htm[/url] (which has had the neck replaced) Any help appreciated. [attachment=26978:DSC02573.JPG][attachment=26979:DSC02577.JPG][attachment=26981:DSC02579.JPG][/quote] Looks like a nice bass. Must be worth at least 10k if not half as much again. Good sounding older instruments are quite hard to find so don't under sell it. Make sure you take it to a reputable dealer for a valuation before advertising it. The Major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 (edited) More pics here [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39732012@N03/sets/72157620249385619/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/39732012@N03/...57620249385619/[/url] I have another bass [attachment=27613:DSC03334.JPG] which I'd like to identify if anyone can help with either pics here [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39732012@N03/sets/72157620249351817/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/39732012@N03/...57620249351817/[/url] Edited June 23, 2009 by Mr Bassman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardHimself Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 i don't usually come on this forum (ahem) but that is a very nice bass. Does the flat back affect the way you hold it whilst you're playing much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 [quote name='EdwardHimself' post='521841' date='Jun 23 2009, 04:38 PM']i don't usually come on this forum (ahem) but that is a very nice bass. Does the flat back affect the way you hold it whilst you're playing much?[/quote] No, the back shape doesn't make any difference to holding the instrument, the body shape and depth can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 hey keith, i think you should try to take them to a dealer, perhaps have a bit of work done and sell them on....in which case you can sell me the red one ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 [quote name='geoffbassist' post='521862' date='Jun 23 2009, 04:59 PM']hey keith, i think you should try to take them to a dealer, perhaps have a bit of work done and sell them on....in which case you can sell me the red one ;-)[/quote] I'm enjoying playing the red bass now I've found a pick up that suits it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLong Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 [quote name='Mr Bassman' post='521864' date='Jun 23 2009, 05:03 PM']I'm enjoying playing the red bass now I've found a pick up that suits it.[/quote] Looks identical to my little german flatback - think the major is a bit over with his estimate - mine is valued at aroun 7 or 8k with lots of decent work having been done on it by my man in Greenwich. Mine is from around 1890 and plays like a dream - very gutsy little thing... Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 great stuff keith, its a brilliant bass....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted June 23, 2009 Author Share Posted June 23, 2009 [quote name='AlexLong' post='521882' date='Jun 23 2009, 05:21 PM']Looks identical to my little german flatback - think the major is a bit over with his estimate - mine is valued at aroun 7 or 8k with lots of decent work having been done on it by my man in Greenwich. Mine is from around 1890 and plays like a dream - very gutsy little thing... Alex[/quote] Have you got any pics to compare? cheers Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLong Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 [quote name='Mr Bassman' post='521943' date='Jun 23 2009, 06:17 PM']Have you got any pics to compare? cheers Keith[/quote] Will take some later and post them - just nearly killed my shoulders doing some long awaited practice on it! A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted June 23, 2009 Share Posted June 23, 2009 It's interesting seeing the sort of values assigned to these old German flatbacks. My own bass is one, though with plain maple back and sides and devalued by a rather ugly coat of varnish. I have an insurance valuation of £2750 from a few years ago, it was tagged in the shop at about £1700 (If I recall correctly), and after some negotiation I took it away for £750! I've since put in a further £500 for a new fingerboard, bridge, soundpost etc, but I can't help but feel that I did OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 Here are some more pics and dimensions the red bass [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/3973201...7620249351817/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/3973201...7620249351817/[/url] L.o.b. 45" Upper 21 1/2" Centre 14 3/4" Lower 27 3/8" Upper rib 8 1/4" Lower rib 8 5/8" Stop 42 5/8" the German bass [url="http://www.flickr.com/photos/3973201...7620249385619/"]http://www.flickr.com/photos/3973201...7620249385619/[/url] L.o.b. 43" Upper 20 3/8" Centre 14 1/8" Lower 25 7/8" Upper rib 8 1/2" Lower rib 8 5/8" Stop 41 1/4" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.