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European doublebasses on this page will come from before 1970, whether built in factories, smaller shops, or from a solo builder.
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For more complete
description or questions, please email steve_swan@earthlink.net
or call (650) 515-1014.
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| ca. 1880s Mirecourt 3/4 flatback | A versatile bass with a profound voice. Medium grain spruce top, Maple back and sides, Maple neck, Inlaid french style single unit tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Light weight rosewood tailpiece, Gotz 10mm rod endpin, Recently made Maple bridge without adjusters, medium red-brown oil varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 42, Upper bout width 20 1/4", Middle bout width 14 5/8", Lower bout width 25 1/4", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6", String length 41 3/8". Substantially built, but not as heavy as most French basses from this era that I've handled, there is a lot of "meat & bones" to the voice of this instrument. It responds equally well to arco or pizz play with the current set of Evah Pirazzi strings. The tone is well balanced and not as hard as most french basses from this period. A superb instrument with a singing quality to the voice. With cover. | $19,500 |
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| ca. 1940s Czech 3/4 gamba carved back |
A fine and versatile instrument built
just after WWII. Plain figure Maple back and sides, Medium grain spruce
top with very bold grain lines, Faintly flame figured maple neck, Brass
halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerbaord, tailpiece, and tailpiece
saddle, Despiau bridge with adjusters made by Mike Olivola at the same
time that he installed a nice new fingerboard, Gotz 10 mm steel rod
endpin, Medium brown oil varnish finish. DIMENSIONS are: Top length 42
1/2", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width
25 1/2", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at
neck 6 5/8", string length 41 1/4". Kept in good condition, has had a
few crack repairs and a back center seam reglue. The easy playing string
length and rich voice make this an especially attractive jazz pizz
bass. With cover. |
$7950 |
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| ca. 1910 Bohemian 3/4 carved back |
A lightly built and very responsive
Czech bass that is now 100 years old. Plain figure Maple back and sides,
Medium grain width European Spruce top, Beech neck, Single unit hatpeg
tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Maple
bridge, Brown oil varnish. DIMENSIONS are: Top length 42", Upper bout
width 20 3/4", Middle bout width 14 1/2", lower bout width 25", Depth at
tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 6 7/8", Depth at neck 6 5/8",
String length 41 3/4". A few repairs, including a scroll crack, small
rectangular patch in the bass-side lower bout side, and a few side and
top cracks. Though used as a jazz bass for 55 years by the consigning
owner, this instrument is an excellent candidate for getting a
fingerboard and bridge makeover as an arco instrument. With light cover. |
$5500 |
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| ca. Early 1960s Anton Dietl 3/4 | From one of my favorite postwar german builders, this bass is very responsive and features beautiful woods. Medium grain Spruce top, Lightly flame figured Maple back, sides, and neck, Nickel halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Ebonized tailpiece, Maple bridge with adjusters added by Pat McCarthy, Gotz aluminum rod endpin, Gorgeous orange-red varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/8", Upper bout width 19 1/2", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 25 3/8", Depth at tail 8 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7 1/2", String length 41 3/4". This bass has a wonderfully complex voice and fine volume. A superb jazz instrument. With cover. | $7950 |
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| 1930 Juzek 3/4 carved back |
A lightly built and very responsive early Czech-made Juzek. Medium grain Spruce top, Lightly flame figured Maple back and sides, Unfigured Maple neck, Halfplate hatpeg style tuners, Ebony fingerboard, Tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Gotz Aluminum rod endpin, Lightly applied light brown varnish refinish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 20 1/4", Middle bout width 14", Lower bout width 25 1/4", Depth at tail 8 1/2, Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/8", Depth at neck 6 1/2", String length 41 3/4". This is a very responsive jazz bass or a warm, rich sounding orchestral instrument. At this price, it won't last long. With cover. | $5950 |
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| 1963 Pollman 7/8 carved back 5 string |
A superb example of Pollman's
craftsmanship, using the finest woods, crisp woodworking, and gorgeous
decorative carving. Top grade Spruce top with beautiful decorative
carving at purfling areas and corners, Heavily flame figure carved back
(also with beautiful decorative carving at purfling areas and corners),
sides (with decorative carving on exterior linings), and neck (also with
beautiful decorative carving on scroll cheeks), Single unit inlaid
french style tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece
saddle, Maple bridge with no adjusters, High quality adjustable endpin
with 10 mm steel rod. DIMENSIONS are: Top length 43 3/4", Upper bout
width 19 3/4", Middle bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 27 1/4",
Depth at tail 9 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 9 1/8", Depth at neck 8",
String length 41 3/4". Extremely well maintained, this bass has only a
single professional level repair, one bass side lower bout top crack.
This rewards with a balanced, forceful voice. A strong and strikingly
beautiful section instrument at a great price. Without cover. We have
several good options. |
$12,500 |
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| 1967 Johan Rauner 3/4 plywood |
An astonishingly responsive and loud
german plywood bass. Lightly flame figured Maple ply top, back, and
sides, Beech neck, Nickel halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard,
tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge with brass adjusters, Gotz
aluminum rod endpin, Orange lacquer finish. DIMENSIONS are: Top
length 42", Upper bout width 19 1/4", Middle bout width 14", Lower bout
width 25 1/2", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4",
Depth at neck 6 3/4", String length 42". Kept in fine shape this bass
really delivers a big sound at a fair price. With cover. |
$1950 |
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| ca. 1950s Hofner gamba 5/8 carved back |
A very clean and fine sounding
all-solid old 5/8 bass, arriving just in time for the back-to-school
season. Fine to medium grain Spruce top, Mildly figured Maple back and
sides, Painted flame figure on unfigured Maple neck, Nickel halfplate
tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Ebonized
tailpiece, Maple bridge without adjusters, Aluminum adjustable endpin,
Brown varnish. DIMENSIONS are: Top length 40 1/2", Upper bout width 18
3/4", Middle bout width 13 1/4", Lower bout width 23 1/4", Depth at tail
7 3/4", Depth at upper bout bend 7 5/8", Depth at neck 6 5/8", String
length 39 1/2". Clean and very well maintained without any significant
repairs. Currently strung with Spirocore strings. An especially fine
school bass or for use adults in intimate settings, such as oldtime
string band music. With cover. |
$3950 |
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| 1933 Herold Jaeger 3/4 gamba carved back |
The responsive and punchy small 3/4
from Czech maker Herold Jaeger has much more power than the nice
flatback version that I had in the shop a year ago. Fine to medium grain
Spruce top, Mildly flame figured Maple sides, carved back, and neck,
Brass halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece
saddle, Despiau bridge with adjusters, Gotz endpin, Medium orange-brown
varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 42", Upper bout width 20 5/8",
Middle bout width 15", Lower bout width 25", Depth at tail 9", Depth at
upper bout bend 7 1/2", Depth at neck 7", String length 41 3/4". With
minimal repairs and good recent maintenance, this bass is performing at a
high level. Currently strung with Evah Pirazzi strings, this bass if a
fine jazz instrument and responds quickly to a bow. A great value at
this price. With cover. |
$7950 |
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 Ca. 1960s Anton Dietl 5/8 carved back |
A well-preserved smaller bass by one
of my favorite German shop builders. Plain figure Maple back and sides,
Medium grain Spruce top, Flame figured Maple neck, Nickel halfplate
tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle,
Well-made recent bridge with adjusters, dark red varnish. Dimensions
are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 19", Middle bout width 13
3/4", Lower bout width 24 5/8", Depth at neck 7", Depth at upper bout
bend 7 7/8", Depth at tail 8", String length 39 1/2". A solid playing
bass with good depth on the bottom strings and rich trebles. A clean
instrument for it's age. With cover. |
$5500 |
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| ca. 1940s large 3/4 German Plywood | This very powerful plywood bass has repairs and and "experienced" look, but really delivers with a large voice. Laminated maple top, back, and sides, Beech neck, Brass halfplate tuners, Striped Macassar Ebony fingerboard, Ebony nut, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Panpi bridge with adjusters, Black painted sides and scroll, clear varnish elsewhere. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20 1/8", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 24 7/8", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 3/4", String length 43 1/4". Repairs to neck and upper back. Currently strung with steel strings, but does quite well with gut. With cover. | $975 |
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| ca. 1930s Prague John Juzek 3/4
carved back |
This exceptional example has some weight in the back that gives a powerful voice to the light top plate. Fine grain spruce top, Maple back (lightly flame figured), sides (medium flame figured), and neck, Replacement single unit tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Gotz endpin, Dark varnish with extensive french polishing. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/4", Upper bout width 20 1/8", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 25 1/2", Depth at tail 8 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 7 1/8", Depth at neck 6 7/8", String length 41". Extremely responsive with a rich, balanced voice. This is simply the best 3/4 Juzek that I've ever had in the shop. With cover. | $8250 |
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| Early 20th century Andreas Morelli "Artist DeLuxe" model | This small 7/8 carved back instrument was probably built by Karl Hermann or by Wilfer. Exceptionally nice fine grain spruce top, Beautiful Maple back (deeply flame figured), sides (medium flame figure), and neck (medium flame figure), Nickel halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Non-adjustable maple bridge by Pat McCarthy, Gotz endpin, Orange varnish over a golden ground. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/4", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 3/4", Lower bout width 26", Depth t tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 3/8", Depth at neck 6 1/2", String length 42 3/4". Very nice clean condition with little repair, though the finish has been worn and lightly french polished in places. Though currently set up as a professional level orchestral instrument, these Morelli basses are also popular with jazz players. Complex and powerful voice. With cover. | $17,500 |
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| ca. Early 1920s Hawkes Concert (or possibly Panormo) model | Though owned and used since 1968 by a professional jazz playing friend of Charles Mingus, this 7/8 carved back german-made Hawkes is very much a professional level orchestral instrument. Fine to medium grain spruce top, Deeply flame figured maple back, sides, and neck, French style individual tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, New high quality german maple bridge with adjusters, New Gotz adjustable endpin, medium brown varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/4", Upper bout width 21 3/4", Middle bout width 15 1/4", Lower bout 26", Depth at tail 9 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 9 1/8", Depth at neck 6 1/2", String length 41 1/2". Older repairs include various cracks, back center seam separation, and neck joint repair. Recent setup work and tuner maintenance by Gael McKeon. Huge rich voice. currently strung with Bel Canto strings. With cover. | $35,000 |
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| ca. 1920s Hawkes Concert model | See the listing on the "Handmade Doublebasses" page. | |
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| ca. 1950s German Laminated 3/4 | A particularly fine sounding example of a postwar German laminated bass. Plain figure laminated Maple top, Flame figure laminated Maple back and sides, Beech neck, Brass halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge with no adjusters, Steel rod adjustable endpin. DIMENSIONS are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 19 3/8", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 25 5/8", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 6 7/8", String length 41 5/8". Showing some signs of use, the instrument is in generally fine condition, though the bass-side ear of the scroll has been broken off. The voice is rich and lively, with strong volume. A good all-around gigging instrument, arriving on consignment just in time for the summer festival season. With cover. | $2600 |
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| mid-1950s German 3/4 carved back | A great sounding and clean condition unlabeled postwar German shop bass. Maple back, sides, Medium-fine grain Spruce top, Slim profile flame figure Maple neck, High quality nickel halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, New Maple bridge by Michael Olivola, Original adjustable wooden endpin, Red-brown varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 19", Middle bout width 14", Lower bout width 25 1/2", Depth at tail 6 5/8", Depth at upper bout bend 6 1/2", Depth at neck 6", String length 41 3/4". An especially fine tone with good volume. This bass easily lives in both arco and pizz worlds. With cover. | $5500 |
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| ca. 1910 German Flatback 3/4 | Extensively restored by Bob and Geoff Daugherty, the light and responsive bass is a joy to play. Medium grain spruce top, Plain Maple back, sides, and neck, New Rubner nickel plated french style single unit tuners inlaid into scroll cheeks, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Gotz steel endpin, Despiau bridge with adjusters, Dark red-brown oil varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 3/4", Upper bout width 20 1/4", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 25 1/8", Depth at tail 8", Depth at upper bout bend 7 3/4", Depth at neck 6 3/8", String length 41 1/2". Restoration and repairs included: All new light back braces, New bass bar, Replacement of all previous cleating work, New crack repairs with cleats, Installation of the tuners, and a nearly complete refinish. The overall light build is quite responsive and this bass prefers lighter tension strings. Currently strung with Evah Pirazzi weich for arco work, the bass came in with Spirocore weich for easy jazz pizz playing. A wonderful instrument brought back to solid playing health by the Daughertys. With cover. | $12,500 |
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| ca. 1840 Paris Cello Form 7/8 Carved Back | See the listing on the "Handmade Doublebass" page. | |
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ca. 1930s German 7/8 carved back (no label) |
A substantial prewar bass with a proven history. Recently owned by a jazz player, this bass is a wonderful arco instrument as well. Medium grain spruce top, Plain figure maple back and sides, Flame figure maple neck, Brass halfplate tuners, Ebony false nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Aubert bridge with adjusters added as part of an initial setup by Mike Olivola and other work by Gael McKeon, 10 mm endpin, Medium brown varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 44 1/8", Upper bout width 21", Center bout width 14 3/8", Lower bout width 27", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/8", Depth at neck joint 6 3/4", String length 42 1/4". The current owner had the false nut installed and the shape of the neck heel modified to a true D neck. Cover not included. | $8500 |
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ca. 1960s Emanuel Wilfer model 54 |
A superb carved back Wilfer that has spent many years both in the orchestra and on the jazz bandstand. Plain figure European Maple neck, back, and sides, Fine grain European Spruce top, Brass halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerbaord, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Gotz aluminum endpin, Despiau bridge with adjusters added as part of a comprehensive setup by Gael McKeon, Dark orange varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 19 1/2", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 25 5/8", Depth at neck 6 7/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8 3/8", Depth at tail 8 1/2", String length 41 3/4". Currently set up with Obligato strings, this bass has achieved its true potential as a fine performing jazz instrument with the superb setup refinements by Gael McKeon. With cover. | $7500 |
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1955 Ladislav Herclik 3/4 flatback |
A fine responsive prewar style bohemian doublebass from this prolific maker. Fine to medium grain Spruce top, Medium flame figured Maple back and sides, Medium flame figured Maple neck, Original halfplate hatpeg tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece, Maple bridge with adjusters, Gotz steel endpin, Dark red-brown oil varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 20 7/8", Middle bout width 14 1/4", Lower bout width 25 3/8", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 3/8", String length 41". A few crack repairs, french polishing. Recent setup adjustments and fingerboard surfacing by Michael Olivola. Though built in 1955, this is very much a light prewar style bass with a quick response and a lovely, rich voice. With cover. | $9500 |
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1940s German 3/4 Flatback |
A good jazz pizz bass that has proven itself to be reliable on the bandstand for that last several years. Plain Maple back, sides, and neck, Hatbox style tuners in good working order, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Despiau bridge with Full Circle pickup (which functions as adjusters) installed, Steel rod endpin, medium brown varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 20 3/8", Middle bout width 14 5/8", Lower bout width 25 1/4", Depth at tail 8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 5/8", String length 42". A former local school bass, extensive restoration work was done by Michael Olivola and Alex Friedman. Recent maintenance was performed by Michael Olivola and Gael McKeon. The response is quick and the voice is balanced and solid. Used in the last several years as a performance instrument in jazz and western swing settings. No specific cover comes with the bass, but I have lots of cover options. |
$5950
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1930s Czech 3/4 carved back |
Medium grain Spruce top, Plain figure Maple back and sides, Flame figure Maple neck, Brass halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Gotz aluminum endpin, Maple Bridge with adjusters added as part of a complete setup by Jeff Sahs, Reddish brown varnish, Realist pickup installed. Dimensions are: Top length 43", Upper bout width 19 3/4", Middle bout 14 1/4", Lower bout 25 1/4", Depth at neck 6 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at tail 8 1/4", String length 42". A good gigging jazz bass strung with Spirocore. With cover. | $4750 |
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| Ca. 1920s Czech Flatback 3/4 |
Maple back, sides, and neck, Carved
Spruce top, Dyed maple hatpeg tuners, Dyed Maple
fingerboard, Ebony nut, Replacement ebony tailpiece, Old
endpin, Nonadjustable bridge set up for jazz playing.
Dimensions are: Top length 43", Upper bout width 19
3/4", Center bout width 14", Lower bout width 25 3/8",
Depth at tail 8 3/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth
at neck 5 7/8", String length 42 1/4". Many repaired
cracks. Recent restoration included removing the
original oxidized black finish and cleating and regluing
old cracks and plate separations from the ribs. Attended
to by many bay area repairmen opver the years, the most
recent work was performed by the celebrated Allan
Droyan. This featherweight bass from the prewar gut
string age sings to the lightest pizz touch to the
Spirocore weich strings. A really nice jazz instrument.
With cover. I had Jeff Sahs plane the fingerboard, add
bridge adjusters, and recontour and reslot the bridge.
This bass now plays like a dream.
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$3950
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Ca. 1960s Benedikt Lang 3/4 carved back |
A rich-toned bass with a
strong, penetrating voice. Plain Maple back, sides, and
neck, Engraved halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard,
tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Belgian style Maple
bridge with adjusters, Aluminum shaft endpin, Medium brown
varnish, external linings, plastic binding on body edges
and F-holes. Dimensions are: Top length 41 1/4", Upper
bout width 19", Center bout width 14 1/8", Lowr bout width
26", Depth at tail 8 1/2, Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4",
Depth at neck 7 1/8", String length 41 1/4". Repaired top
cracks and side cracks. Big meaty voice. A good working
pizz bass. No cover included. On consignment.
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$5950 |
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Ca. 1930s Pfretschner 3/4 swell back |
Recent restoration work with a new bass bar and shorter string length from a neck reset give this great sounding old bass much more modern performance specifications. Nicely quartered Maple back and sides, Maple neck, Beautiful fine grain Spruce top, Original brass halfplate tuners, Ebony nut and tailpiece saddle, Macassar Ebony fingerboard, Period painted white wood tailpiece, Maple bridge with adjusters added, 10 mm rod endpin, Dark reddish brown oil varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 25 3/4", Depth at tail 8 3/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/8", Depth at neck 6 3/4", String length 41 7/8". A fine large voiced arco or pizz bass. Pointed, punchy voice with Spirocore mittel or dark, smooth voice with Evah Pirazzi medium tension strings. With Full circle pickup and cover. |
$9950
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Previous Offerings
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Ca. 1940s G.A. Pfretschner 3/4 carved back |
A solid sounding example with a big, meaty voice from this well known german export company. Plain figure maple back and sides, Beech neck, Fine grain spruce top, Brass halfplate tuners, ebony nut, replacement fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Boxwood tailpiece, Boyd Poulson endpin, Maple bridge with adjusters. Dimensions are Top length 43 3/4", Upper bout width 20", Middle bout width 14 3/8", Lower bout width 25 1/2", Depth at tail 8 1/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/8", Depth at neck 6 5/8", String length 42 1/4". Older work by Pat McCarthy included: Inlaid bass bar cleats, Doubling, New bass bar, and crack cleats. Older work by Boyd Poulson: New Poulson enpin and crack repairs. Recent work by Matt Bohn includes: Installation of new ebony fingerboard, New bridge, New soundpost, New boxwood tailiece, and fitting of wooden endpin to the Boyd Poulson collar. This bass has a very muscular, well-defined voice and has proven itself on countless jazz gigs. A very fine instrument for a working jazz musician. No cover included. |
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Ca. 1940s Czech Flatback 3/4 |
With features like a 41 7/8" string length,
small dimension back braces, and hatpeg halfplate tuners,
this bass could have been made in the 1930s, but I'll play
it safe by assigning a probable manufacture date of just
after WWII. A solid voiced and responsive instrument that
spent a year in restoration. Plain figure Maple back, sides,
and neck, Fine to medium-fine grain Spruce top, Hatpeg
tuners on brass halfplates, Ebony nut and fingerboard,
Painted white wood tailpiece and tailpiece saddle, Dresden
bridge with adjusters. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/4",
Upper bout width 20 1/4", Middle bout width 14 3/8", Lower
bout width 25 7/8", Depth at neck 6 1/4", Depth at upper
bout bend 8", Depth at tail 8 3/8", String length 41 7/8".
Restoration and repairs include: Inlaid soundpost patch,
Splined top crack repair, Two cleated top cracks, Regraduate
bass bar, Reglue corner blocks and top back brace, Splined
back center seam, Replace two center seam back strips, Neck
reset and new fingerboard and nut, New bridge with
adjusters, french polish existing finish and bare spots.
This bass speaks very quickly with an authoritative voice. A
nice light weight vintage instrument. With cover.
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1931 John Juzek 7/8 (1050) |
A fantastic sounding carved back gamba shape Juzek in rare 7/8 size. German Maple neck, back, and sides, Nickel halfplate tuners with Ebony rollers, Ebony nut, tailpiece saddle, and fingerboard, Exterior linings, Dyed black Maple tailpiece, Aubert bridge with aluminun adjusters. Dimensions are: Top length 45 3/4", Upper bout width 20 3/4", Middle bout width 15 1/2", Lower bout width 26 3/8", Depth at tail 8 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck joint 7", String length 43 1/2. A few well-repaired top and rib cracks and very mild playing wear. Maintained by Berkeley's doublebass luthier, Pat McCarthy. This amazing bass really does it all. A great jazz bass, which has been it's primary use for the last 15 years, or a professional level orchestral instrument. This is a rare opportunity to play one of these basses outside of New York or Los Angeles. With cover. |
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1926 Otto Rubner gamba shape 3/4 carved back |
An especially fine sounding example of Otto Rubner's early work. Josef Rubner (1864-1927) Started the Markneukirchen family bass making business and was best known for his large orchestral basses. Otto Rubner (1885-1963) built this modern shaped 3/4 size instrument with sloping shoulders in the family shop a year before taking over the business upon the death of his father in 1927. Mildly flame figured maple back and sides, Scroll grafted flame figured Maple neck, Individual french style tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Dyed hardwood tailpiece, New Maple bridge with adjusters, Gotz aluminum shaft endpin. Dimensions are: Top length 43", Upper bout width 19", Middle bout width 14 3/8", Lower bout width 25 7/8", Depth at tail 8 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8 3/8", Depth at neck 6 3/4", String length 42 1/8". Old repairs include crack repairs, some finish repair at the edges, and the scroll graft. Recent procedures by Matt Bohn include: Neck reset (with the new shorter mensure), new fingerboard, and the endpin and tailpiece installations. The bridge and final setup were performed by Mike Olivola. This bass responds easily to a bow with a very colorful and complete mature voice that is quite expressive all the way through the upper registers. It's also a good pizz instrument with Spirocore mittel guage strings. A very nice old handmade bass brought into modern playing specifications. With cover. |
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Ca. 1940s G.A. Pfretschner "Strad Copy" |
Carved back gamba shape 3/4 doublebass from Markneukirchen. German Maple back, sides, and neck, German Spruce top, Brass halfplate tuners, Eb neck, Maple wedge under meaty Ebony fingerboard, Ebonized tailpiece, Well-made Despiau bridge 6 3/4" above the table, dark red varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/4", Upper bout 20 1/4", Middle bout 14 1/2", Lower bout 25 1/2", Depth at tail 8 5/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/8", Depth at neck 6 5/8", String length 42". A solid bass with a large voice that easily moves between pizz and orchestral functions, the fingerbaord has low relief making playing three sets of jazz a breeze. With cover. |
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Ca. 1950s Anton Dietl 3/4 carved back |
My personal favorite of all of the 3/4 Dietl basses that have come into the shop in the last five years. Beautifully flame figured Maple back, sides, and neck, Spruce top with medium width grain at center and finer grain toward the edges, Brass halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge with adjusters added, Adjustable wooden endpin in Gotz collar, Medium brown varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/2", Upper bout width 19", Middle bout width 14", Lower bout width 25 1/4", Depth at tail 8 3/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7 3/8", String length 41 1/4". A lively and colorful instrument for jazz, a quick and expressive instrument for arco work. With cover. |
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C. 1930s German 5/8 Flatback |
A lightly built responsive prewar 5/8 flatback with a longer than usual string length. Plain figure Maple back, sides, and neck, Even fine-medium grain spruce top, Quarter plate hatpeg tuners, Ebony nut, Mystery Rosewood fingerboard, Dyed Maple tailpiece, New bridge with adjusters, Gotz endpin. Dimensions are: top length 41 1/2", Upper bout width 19 1/4", Middle bout width 13 7/8", Lower bout width 23 7/8", Depth at neck 6", Depth at upper bout bend 7 1/2", Depth a tail 7 1/2", String length 40 1/4". Full restoration by Matt Bohn. This bass is quite lively in its response to pizz or arco play. |
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1964 Johann Heinrich Hammig carved back gamba shape 3/4 (nsn) |
Made in the same Hofner factory as the current Paesold and Hofner 3/4 basses. Medium grain German Spruce top, German Maple neck, sides, and flame figured back, Upgraded Rubner engraved black and gold halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece, No bridge adjusters. Dimensions are: top length 44", Upper bout width 19 1/4", Center bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 25 1/2", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7", String length 41". This bass has seen a lot of use over the years and shows many repaired cracks and a darker brown overcoating of varnish, such as the late Noel Arrighi would use. It came in as a student orchestra instrument, but it sounds even better strung with D'Addario Helicore pizzicato strings for jazz. It has a loose, lively response and the old setup is comfortably low for easy play. A nice intermediate jazz bass. With cover. |
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Early 20th century German carved back 3/4 |
A great extremely responsive old jazz bass owned and played for many years by local jazz great, Mel Graves. Unfigured Maple back, sides, and neck, fine to medium grain Spruce top, Old single unit hatpeg tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece and talpiece saddle, Recent bridge with adjusters, Medium neck profile. Dimensions are: Top length 43", Upper bout width 20 1/4", Middle bout width 15, Lower bout width 25 1/2, Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at neck 6 7/8", String length 42". Many crack repairs and a 1" top splice from the treble side F hole down to the tail. Recent set up work by three different Bay Area luthiers. The current owner is a professional jazz player with extremely high standards. This great bass is quite expressive and has plenty of volume for most unamplified situations. Beautiful arco sound as well. With cover |
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Ca. 1960s Mittenwald 3/4 carved back |
Likely made by Hofner, this
is a good bread and butter gigging jazz bass. Maple back,
sides, and neck, Fine to medium grain width Spruce top,
Nickel halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece,
and tailpiece saddle, New steel rod endpin, New bridge with
adjusters as part of a complete setup by Mike Olivola,
Medium red-brown spirit varnish finish. Dimensions are: Top
length 43 1/4", Upper bout width 19 3/8", Middle bout width
14 1/2", Lower bout width 25 7/8", Depth at tail 8 1/2",
Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/2", Depth at neck 7", String
length 41". Other than a couple of small glued top cracks,
this bass hasn't required any structural work. The top shows
a lot of thumbnail marks on the bass side of the
fingerboard. With the most recent planing, the fingerboard
has been planed a little thin, but it is nice and stiff. As
a testament to its utility, Mike Olivola says that he
wouldn't mind using this bass on stage. Cover not included
on this consignment bass. |
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19th Century German 5/8 flatback |
A rich sounding instrument with features that
suggest a build date of at least 150 years old. Medium grain
spruce top, Flame figure Maple back and sides, Plain figure
Maple neck, Hand cut quarter plate tuners over brass plates,
Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Pearwood
tailpiece, Maple bridge made as part of general setup and
repairs by Jon Peterson at World of Strings in Long Beach.
Dimensions are: Top length 39 3/4", Upper bout width 19",
Middle bout width 13 5/8", Lower bout width 24", Depth at
neck 6 5/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at tail
8 3/8", String length 40". A wonderful arco instrument with
good pizz capabilities. It's hard to believe that the large,
rich voice comes out of such a moderate sized bass. With
cover. |
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Ca. 1960s Max Hoyer 3/4 carved back |
A clear voiced and easy playing german 3/4.
Plain figure Maple back, sides, and neck, Medium to wide
grain Spruce top, Nickel halfplate tuners, Ebony nut,
fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Dyed hardwood tailpiece,
Gotz endpin, Maple bridge with adjusters added, Orange
varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 41 5/8", Upper bout
width 19 1/4", Middle bout width 14", Lower bout width 24
5/8", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4",
Depth at neck 7", String length 41". Quick, bright tone and
easy play. A nice student bass. With used cover.
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Ca. 1880s Czech 3/4 Flatback |
A strong, responsive bass kept in good playing condition. Even medium grain Spruce top, Plain figure Maple back, sides, and neck, Individual hatpeg tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Old bridge with adjusters originally made by Pierre Josephs, Pecanic Maple tailpiece, Rick Turner pickup, side bumpers added, golden-light brown varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 43 5/8", Upper bout width 19 3/4", Middle bout width 13 3/8", Lower bout width 25 3/4", Depth at tail 8 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8 3/8", Depth at neck 6 3/8", String length 42 1/4". Strung with a mature set of Spirocore strings, this bass has a powerful, penetrating quality that served the consigning owner well for years on the bandstand. With cover. |
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Late 1940s Herold Jaeger 3/4 Flatback |
Possibly a pre-WWII Czech bass, I'll play it safe and say postwar. Medium grain Spruce top, Plain figure Maple sides, back, and neck, Quarter plate brass tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Dyed Maple tailpiece, Gotz endpin, Maple bridge with adjusters, set up recently adjusted by Michael Olivola. Dimensions are: Top length 43 7/8", Upper bout width 19 3/4", Middle bout width 13 3/4", Lower bout width 25", Depth at neck 6 1/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8", Depth at tail 8 1/8", String length 42". A fairly light weight and responsive pizz bass with enough solid bone structure to project well. A fine gigging jazz bass. With cover. |
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1940s Czech 3/4 flatback |
A good solid gigging jazz bass with a quick
voice. Plain Maple back, sides, and neck, Fine to medium
grain Spruce top, Halfplate hatpeg tuners, Ebony nut and
tailpiece saddle, Macassar Ebony fingerboard, Painted white
wood tailpiece, Maple bridge with adjusters added as part of
a complete setup, Dark brown finish applied over original
varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 44 1/2", Upper bout
width 19 3/8", Middle bout width 13 3/8", Lower bout width
25 1/2", Depth at neck 6 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8",
Depth at tail 8", String length 42 1/2". Solidly repaired in
the past, we just went through it and took care of a few
open cracks. The response is quick and clear. A good step-up
bass. With cover. |
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Ca. 1950s Anton Dietl carved back 3/4 |
A high quality Mittenwald 3/4 doublebass made with very fine woods. Flame figured Maple back, sides, and neck, Spruce top, German nickel halfplate tuners, Slim neck profile, Ebony fingerboard and tailpiece, Maple bridge with adjusters added, Beautiful red varnish. Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/4" , Upper bout width 19", Middle bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 25 1/4", Depth at tail and upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7 1/4", String length 41". This bass has a very colorful balanced voice. It's an excellent combination jazz and arco instrument. I'm still on the search for a 7/8 example of one of these Dietl basses for myself! With cover. |
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Ca. 1930s Juzek gamba shape 3/4 carved back |
San Francisco bay area jazz great Glenn
Richman's primary performance bass for the last 25 years.
Even medium grain European Spruce top, Plain to lightly
figured European Maple back, sides, and neck, Gold engraved
Rubner quarter plate tuners replace the original halfplate
tuners, Ebony tailpiece, tailpiece saddle, fingerboard, and
nut, Gotz endpin, Maple bridge with black aluminum
adjusters. Well-repaired heel break, Repaired 9" back crack
in bass-side upper bout Long repaired side crack in
bass-side lower bout. Well-maintained and relatively
injury-free, it's hard to believe that this bass has
traveled all over the world for a touring professional jazz
musician. There is a fairly large 1979 repair label from
noted bass luthier and author Charles Traeger. As evidenced
in one of the photographs, the top treble side edge has been
worn down to the exterior lining from thousands of hours of
upper position playing. With its fairly moderate size and
prewar build, the bass is responsive and speaks very quickly
with an even voice through all ranges. The voice speaks with
a solid authority that reminds me more of the contmeporary
7/8 basses in the shop. This bass was used most recently on
the Bobby Hutcherson CD, A Wise One . With cover |
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Ca. 1950s Mittenwald violin corner carved back 3/4 (no date) |
A good sounding solid workhorse postwar German bass with nice lines and choice woods. Flame Maple back, sides, and neck, Medium grain with German spruce top, Nickel halfplate tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece and tailpiece saddle, Bridge with adjusters made by Jon Peterson of World of Strings. Dimensions are: Top length 44", Upper bout width 19 1/2", Middle bout width 14 1/2", Lower bout width 25 1/4", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at neck 7 1/8", String length 41 3/4". Light finish and edge wear. Developed voice from consistent play. A good combination jazz and arco bass at a very affordable price. |
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Ca. 1930s Czech or Bohemian 3/4 gamba flatback (no label) |
A very lively lightly built prewar bass that is a joy to play. Plain Maple back, sides, and neck, Medium grain European Spruce top, Quarter plate hatpeg tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece, and tailpiece saddle, Maple bridge, Gotz enpin, Dark amber varnish, Scratched line false purfling on both top and back. Dimensions are: Top length 44 1/4", Upper bout width 19 1/2", Middle bout width 13 1/2", 25 5/8", Depth at tail 8 1/4", Depth at upper bout corner 8", Depth at neck 6", String length 41 1/2". Light varnish and edge wear. A rich, mature voice with good volume that is great for pizz play. With cover. |
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Sam Grisman's Ca. 1930s Czech flatback 3/4 |
European Spruce top, Plain figure
European Maple flatback, Mildly ribbon and flame figured
European Maple sides with no exterior linings, Unfigured
European Maple neck, Dyed Maple hatpeg style single unit
tuners, Ebony fingerboard, Ebony tailpiece, New Gotz
endpin, Bridge adjusters, Medium dark brown varnish.
Dimensions are: Top length 43 1/2", Upper bout width 20",
Center bout width 14", Lower bout width 25 1/4", Depth at
tail 8 1/2", Depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Depth at
neck 6 1/2". The medium profile neck has never had any
cracks, breaks, or repairs. The back has 3 old repaired
dryness cracks near the center line and just above the
widest part of the lower bout as well as edge chips at the
bottom centerline and about 6" to the treble side of the
lower centerline. There is only minor concavity of the
upper bout bend area of the back. The sides are remarkably
clean and free of cracks axcept for a little tear on the
treble side of the saddle area and an endpin crack that
extends 2" into the bass side and about 10" of the treble
side. The top has old repaired low humidity edge-to-edge
cracks to each lower bout near their widest points, on
either side of the tailpiece (3" treble side, 12" bass
side), "9 extending below from the bass-side F hole, and a
2 1/2" wing crack extending up from the treble side F-hole
lower ball to the center bout. The top edges show wear
from moving the bass across many stage floors (Use a bass
stand wherever you go, please!). I had Jeff Sahs install a
new Gotz endpin, glue the open treble side wing crack,
Plane the fingerboard, install a cable tailpiece wire to
replace the stiff brass one, and recontour the bridge top
for extremely easy low string height playing. This bass
responds with a very even voice and is great for jazz pizz
playing. I had Sam take off his pickup so that the new
owner would have his choice of pickup type (or maybe
they'll use a clip-on sax microphone like me). Formerly
owned by San Francisco Bay Area bassist Paul Knight, Sam
Grisman has owned and played this bass in concert (David
Grisman Bluegrass Experience, Gypsy Kids) and on
recordings (Sam and Dave, DGBX, Andy Statman's solo CD)
for the last 4 years. With cover.
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Ca. 1940s German large 5/8 flatback school bass |
Very fine even grain carved German Spruce top, Solid German Maple sides, flat back, and neck, German halfplate tuners, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard, Ebonized tailpiece. Body length 41", Upper bout width 19 1/4", Center bout width 14", Lower bout width 23 5/8", Body depth at tail 7 5/8", Body depth at upper bout bend 7 3/8", Body depth at neck joint 6 1/8", String length 41". The large 5/8 body is very easy to play, but the full 41" 3/4 string length gives a nice big sound. Just a few top, back, and side cracks that were repaired a few years ago. This bass came in with some old gut strings for playing traditional jazz. I like it strung that way or with Spirocore Orchestra strings for more current pizz styles or arco playing. With 2 different covers. I have just had the fingerboard planed, nut recut, adjusters added to the bridge, new tail wire, and varnish detailing. It looks and sounds great! |
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Circa 1960s Czech large 5/8 plywood bass |
Plywood body, Nickel half-plate tuners, Ebony
fingerboard, Ebonized tailpiece, medium neck profile.
Dimensions are: 40 1/2 Body length, 19" Upper bout, 13 3/4"
Center bout, 23 7/8" Lower bout, 7 7/8" Depth at tail, 7
7/8" Depth at upper bout bend, 6 7/8" Depth at tail, 40"
string length. Old scroll repair. Repairs that I have had
done are: Fingerboard reglue, new tailpiece wire, Gotz
endpin replacement, reglue loose top and back seams. It is
an easy playing bass that is easy to take in a car. With
free cover. |
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