Welcome to the Bass Café. Upright, double basses
for sale.
A place that offers a very special blend of upright, double basses
for sale. Grown and aged, some as long as 200 years!
Because of our ever changing menu, we will try to update this page
as often as possible. Here you will find up to date pictures, measurements
and brief descriptions of what is known about each upright bass
that is for sale which includes upright double basses from Czech,
German, French, English, Italian and Chinese origin. For more in
depth details in any particular upright bass, it is best to call
or email. Please
keep in mind that we ship anywhere in the USA. Looking for a
great carved upright bass, but under $5,000? The
Wan-Bernadels are famous and now compete with basses
much higher in price. From serious amateurs to the most dedicated
professional bassist....they are working with a Wan.
We've gone through a lot of upright double basses this year. A lot
of them not even making it on our web site. Because of the busy
turnaround, it sometimes resembles a 'bass-revolving door': Basses
coming and basses going! We'll try to keep things more current here,
but you can always email us from time to time and ask for any updates
or give us your information about a particular bass, sound or price
you need. Do you need to stay under the $3k range, and looking at
Hybrids? Check out our new link of upright
basses under $3,000.
On the restoration table: A great bass by an unknown English
maker, circa 1800. See photos on this page.
A legendary upright bass by Georges Mougenot
(Inside, the label reads: Georges Mougenot, luthier du
Conservatoire Lieg 1875) Mougenot was born in Mirecourt,
France in 1843 and his basses generally date around the 1870's throughout
early 1900. Lovely majestic violin form with the typical French
violin out line as well as a neck button just under the neck heal
(this is a French tradition!) This bass has a storied past in that
is the ex-Chuck Israels bass (whom played with pianist Bill Evans.)
The sound has a very wide spectrum and is very easy to express on
it: Very focused with super sustain. While it has a big, fat sounding
E string, one is pleasantly surprised when the upper register thumb
position notes sing so effortlessly as well. This bass is a good
sized 7/8 flat back, with the upper bouts are 21", the lower
bouts 26 3/4", 44 3/4" the length of the back and with
the string length, 43".
An upright bass by Johann Ullrich Eberle,
circa 1775
This is a very rare bass by the maker, Johann
Ullrich Eberle, circa 1750. Just by looking at the photos, one
can instantly see that it's different. The sound holes, are actually
referred to as viola d' Amore sound holes. This bass was found with
the original bass bar, (baroque style), original neck setting in
body etc...all still intact. It has recently undergone a total restoration,
with the exception that the neck, bass bar, and bridge be set up
to accommodate "classical" playing. This is the same exact
conversion that all old basses (and Strad violin and cellos) have
had done in order to play music literature composed (post 1800).
To our knowledge there are two other documented basses exactly like
this one: One in the Metropolitan Museum in Purchase, NY (which
was once featured in an ISB magazine. The issue and date will be
shown here at a later date.) Also, another mirror example of this
bass is in the famous Orpheon Collection. There are just too many
intricate details of this bass to get into (could write a whole
book.) The scroll is very delicately carved in every way and side.
The back is beautifully carved out in the lower heal of the scroll.
The upper bouts are 20 3/8" with the lower bouts measuring
25". The back is traditionally flat, and measures 41 3/8"
whereas the top is 41 7/8". Tonally, very sweet, and sounds
much like a great Italian solo bass would sound: Warm, very responsive.
A rare and incredible bass!
There are
more double basses here.
Luciano
Golia
This bass is by Luciano Golia, Alpignano,Italy
2006. Signor Golia individually names every bass that he makes!
This one is called the "Iracondo". It is made in the beautiful
Italian tradition, with a sweeping Maggini violin outline and elegant
violin corners. Arched (carved) back and sides are made of poplar
from the Velle Padana region of Italy. The top is spruce that came
from Velle de Fiemme. It has a darker side in look and sound. Very
even and easy to play. The string length is 41 1/2", the upper
bouts 19 1/2", the lower bouts 26 1/2" the back is 43
1/2". SOLD
A Fine English double bass by unknown maker
(to be restored!)
This is a great, English upright bass, circa 1820. While
there has been some discussion and thought that it could possibly
be a very early George Panormo or William Forster, we are still
uncertain as to who made this bass. (The style and the f-holes
actually do point to Panormo, but much more study is needed on this
one.)
These are the 'before' photos as it is about to undergo a well
needed restoration. First about the bass, then we'll go over
what's going to be done with it. This bass, is a 4/4 full-sized
upright. The back measures 47", the upper bouts are 21 3/4",
the lower bouts 27 1/4" and the string length is 42 1/2".
The top has a beautiful bear claw spruce, with a gorgeously arched
top. The back is carved with bevel across the upper bouts
that bring the top into the neck. (very English) The sides
and back are nicely flamed maple. The tuners, the historically famous,
Baker brass tuners. In the coming months, the bass will undergo
a well needed restoration to regain its former glory: Over the years
the back has shrunk enough so that ribs now need to be shortened
to accommodate it. (This is standard for almost every old bass.)
There are a couple small cracks open on the back, the ribs and top
(will go over everything!) The neck will be reset to the proper
height and angle so that the pressure is more evenly distributed.
Varnish touch-ups, new bridge, new taipiece etc.. When the
bass is fully restored (and only until then) we will offer it for
sale.
How this English double bass plays. While it's a big
upright double bass, it is still within normal parameters of playability.
It's a fabulous orchestra bass with tons of power and sound.
The stuff legends are made of.
German upright
This is a very nice, flat-backed, German upright
bass, possibly by Muller (circa 1920). It has a nice slender taper
to the shoulders. With the upper bouts 19 1/2", the lower bouts,
25 3/4", the back is 42" and the string length is only 40 7/8. It's
a 3/4 size bass, but has a smaller string length that is very easy
to play all the way around. It's a nice, clean bass which has recently
undergone a complete restoration. Need our email
address?
Benjamin Patochka upright
bass
This bass is probably made by the maker, Benjamin
Patochka, in 1931. It bears the label, Benjamin Patochka, houslar,
Jicine, Cechy, 1931. There are records that Ben's son, Josef
also used his father's label in his basses as well. This is a very
cool bass for several reasons: It is pretty much in the original
state with the exception to the typical restorations that a good
bass should have from time to time. Even the tuners appear to be
original, although it has been updated with a nice ebony fingerboard,
bridge and setup. Patochka is considered one of the best Czech masters.
He made an incredible number of instruments (even with the son's
help). In Jalovec's Violin Makers of Bohemia book, he states that
"Patochka numbered all his instruments", (this bass is
numbered #5949 which is hand written on the original label.) Benjamin
died in 1931, the same year that this bass was to have been made.
Josef (the son), was a WWI hero who fought for Czech independence
then eventually died in 1943 as a martyr in a Nazi concentration
camp. (I hate to dramatize, but it's so rare that we get any in
depth background on any maker and I think it helps us realize the
person behind the instruments and always adds to it's historical
perspective.) How it sounds! The bass has a nice solid fundamental
and dark sound. (It's very unique and special.) It has normal measurements:
string length is 42", back is 43", the shoulders 20"
and lower bouts 25". Email
us.
Schoenbach upright bass
This is another Schoenbach upright bass, 1910 (i.e.
Czech/German). It has lots of nice character to it's make and tone:
One can trace the purfled cello outline on the back as well as the
front, even though it's still gamba shaped (that is, no violin corners.)
The measurements are upper bouts 20 1/2", lower bouts 25 1/2", length
of back 43 3/4", and the string length is 40 7/8".
German flat back bass
A good, old bass (probably German) 1920's. Flat back,
with newer ebony tuners (hat peg style). The shoulders are 20 1/2"
apart, 26" for the lower bouts, 43" and a very manageable string
length of 41 3/8". It has an interesting neck made from oak. A well
maintained bass. Plays very well with lots of sustain.
Mittenwald bass
This is a very nice Mittenwald upright. (Germany,
circa 1900) Flat backed construction, gamba shaped with the lovely
reddish-brown varnish. It has a nice big, rounded sounded. It's
a fun bass to have because it sounds great with any brand of string,
or in any kind of setting. Very versatile in that way. It is in
excellent, newly restored condition. The back measures 43",
the upper bouts (shoulders) 21", lower bouts 25 1/2" and
the string length is 42 3/8". SOLD
Carved back German double
bass
This is a another good, sturdy, older carved back,
German upright for sale. Probably around 70 years old. A restored
3/4 size, it has had some cracks along the ribs, but well repaired
and pretty solidly made. Has the original orange-brown varnish.
It was recently added to our collection with a nice, new setup.
Length of the back on this one: 43", upper bouts 19 1/2", lower
bouts 25" and the string length 41 3/8". Has a nice, warmer tone
with a big low end.
This double bass is by an unknown maker, probably
Bohemian (Czech) or Austrian, circa 1890. (It has a 1975 repair
label dating "Zyka, 1975", It has a round carved back and lovely
dark, reddish-brown varnish. The edges are flush on this bass which
would keep with this tradition from basses in Austria as well. It
is in great condition. Length of back 43", upper bouts are 19 1/2",
lower bouts 25" and the string length 41 7/8". This bass plays evenly
throughout all registers with it sloped shoulders, quite easy to
get around on. Come out for a visit. Airfare to Phoenix from just
about every city in the USA is cheap.
It has no label, though it's more than likely a German,
upright bass. Circa 1890's. It has a good flat back construction
which tapers off into the neck black. The bass is covered with a
lovely, warm brown amber varnish. The sides and particularly the
back have some nice flaming in the wood grain as well. All though
it's a normal 3/4 bass, it has slightly wider upper bouts (shoulders)
at 20", the lower bouts 26", back length 43" and a nice string length
of 41 3/8". This upright has just recently been restored and is
in fantastic shape. A very special bass! (See more double basses
for sale at the More upright Double Basses
link.
Heinrich Gill
Upright bass by Heinrich Gill of Germany; 2005. It
has tons of character and even for a new bass sounds warm and even
throughout. It is in mint condition of course, but has that older
more developed varnish. It is an exact copy of the famous Enrique
Ceruti bass. I personally like the new (Italian style) contemporary
tuners on it as it adds to its uniqueness. The back is 43 1/2, the
upper bouts are 20" apart and the lower bouts 26". The
string length on this bass is 40 5/8". A good bass! SOLD
L. Herclik, Koln
This was double bass made in Cologne, Germany around
early to mid 1900's. It's in great condition and has a nice darker
sound. It has the typical outside linings (along the outer ribs)
and interesting shaped tuners (eye shaped). It has a flat back style
construction which slopes inward towards the butt of the neck. It
also has a new flamed neck graft. (retaining the original scroll.)
The string length is only 41 3/16", the back 42 1/4",
the upper bouts 21" and lower bouts 25 1/2". The slightly
wider shoulders help give it a bigger, warm projecting sound. SOLD
Ladislav Prokop
This upright bass is by Ladislav Prokop, 1934. It
has a beautiful dark, reddish-brown varnish and also has the outside
linings as found on the Stowasser bass. It has a carved, round back
and is also in excellent condition. It has a sweet dark tone, but
also very full and projecting. The shoulders measure 19", lower
bouts 25" and the length of the back 42". The string length is 42".
SOLD
For more information you can call or email us at basses@stringemporium.com
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