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.
All photos on this page enlarge when clicked.
Rumano Solano, Vincenzo Panormo model, 2005 (Maryland, USA)
Here is a nice bass by maker Rumano Solano who lives and makes
basses in Maryland. This is a big, heavy bass. The upper
bouts measure 21 1/2" across, the lower bouts 27 1/2" and the length
of the back is 43 1/2". So it is not a really big bass in
length, but very broad. The string length is a mere, 41 1/8".
Interestingly there is a gradual deepening of the ribs from the neck
area that joins the bass body where the ribs are only 7 1/2" and
grows gradually wider and wider through to the bottom of the bass
(endpin) that comes out to 10 1/4". For comparison, our own
G.B. Rogeri basses only go out to around 8 3/4", and they are
considered a normally 'full' 3/4 size bass. We measure the top of
the top to the back of the back. While the Rogeri dimensions are
very typical, this just shows how deep this Solano bass gets towards
the bottom. The bass is being offered here on consignment and
it is in excellent condition. While this Solano bass has the
ordinary body length and string length of a regular, 3/4 bass, the
wideness and depth almost between 7/8 and 4/4 bass.
It has Sloane tuners and a very deeply carved back. One of
the deepest backs one will see on a bass! This bass can be
shipped to try! Has a nice, deep sound. Owner wants to sell
it, $10,000 obo.
Robert Tichy, Prague, 2000
This bass is a copy of a nice, Czech model and rightly so as the
maker is Czech! The bass was made in Prague in the year 2000
and it is in excellent condition. Robert made the bass in the
truest tradition using the old fashioned ebony peg tuners, flat
back, gamba style tradition. Even the neck goes into the bass
in the same (traditional) dove tail style. Sometimes it is
hard to photograph basses in that flash can cause certain varnish
hues to "pop" more than it would normally. This bass has a
lovely dark, chestnut varnish, though with the super bright light
causes the oranges to come more than normal. A well made bass
too. This is a privately made bass by bass maker/repairman Robert
Tichy that follows the strictest traditions of Czech bass making.
Here, you get a new, "old" bass. All hand made and carved by
the makers hands. This bass makes a great solo or jazz bass
(as most Czech basses do), and aside from a little rippling in the
ribs which is normal, the bass is like new. It's a great
buy too at $6,000. At the moment, we have Pirastro
Passione strings as the previous owner used it for a solo bass, but
this bass would be great with a set of medium Thomastik Spirocores
and will make a great jazz bass as well.
Emanuel Wilfer, 'Solo' model, upright bass, Germany,
2011
We are proud to introduce 2 new very unique and special models by
the makers, Emanuel Wilfer of Möhrendorf (Bavaria) Germany.
There are 3 generations of bass making in the Wilfer family and
these are hand made, by Rolande Wilfer. This one is his new,
Solo model in which we specially requested a lion's head
scroll. This bass, while it is called 'solo' model, is
in no way limited to only solo type, (recital)playing. I think
he calls it his solo model because of the slightly more narrow
shoulders and is physically so much easier to play in the upper
registers. It has a nice, deep orchestra sound and can be
played in any type of genre, whether jazz or classical. It's
just a good, well made, big sounding bass. It is a normal 3/4
size with the uppper bouts (shoulders) measuring 19 1/2" across, the
lower bouts, 26 1/4" across, the length of the back, 44" and the
string length, 41 1/2". A lions head scroll is attractive on a
bass scroll and also adds a lot of mistique and attention. On
this bass it adds the artistic balance of this bass.
Additionally, Rolande expanded with the thematic aritstry and added
hand ornamentation to the front edge and back which 'completes' the
overall look of this bass. This bass is what we call a 'lifer'
in that this is another great sounding bass which like other
historic, (old) basses, will get passed down through future
generations of bass players. How does it play? Again, it
plays 'easy'. It doesn't take much to get the string to
vibrate and physically, with the narrow (solo) type model, very easy
for anyone to play over in thumb positioning. A nice bass,
very full sounding and deep.
Emanuel Wilfer, 'Prague' model, bass,
Germany 2011
This bass is Wilfer's 'Prague' model which was specially made for
us at the String Emporium. What's the story on this bass?
This bass was Rolande Wilfer's grandfather's original model of some
old, Bohemian bass that he liked. The deeper ribs, gives this
bass a deeper, cushy kind of sound when playing. It is set up
as a Jazz bass currently, and while it is super easy to play and
very responsive, it's got this huge punch to it and very rewarding
to play on. Here are the measurements: the shoulders are 19
1/4" across, the lower bouts are 26 1/4", length of the back, 44"
and the string length on this bass: 41 1/4"
John Osborne, upright bass, England, C.1920
Here is a great upright bass by John Osborne. This bass
bass is made in the true English tradition, with slightly more
broader shoulders (still a little sloped near the neck for easier
playing.) Inside the bass, the label reads: John Osborne,
Farley Street, Leamington Spa, October 18, 1920.The
measurements: 21 3/4" across the upper bouts, 26" lower bouts, 44
1/4" back, and only 41 5/8" for the string length. It is a very
playable bass. This bass was at one point owned by the great,
Monty Budwig (jazz bassist) who passed away sometime ago and for
the past 10-15 years was owned and played in a major American
symphony orchestra. Sound-wise it's clear and carries well in any
setting and is a very versatile bass. (People often ask us: "What
makes a great jazz bass or what makes a great classical bass?" Well,
our answer is simple, "Great basses are just great basses and one
should be able to play a 'great' bass in any genre." This is such a
bass. Be sure to click on any photo shown here for a larger, more
detailed image. SOLD
Jerôme Thibouville Lamy,
bass, c.1890.
This bass, has had a lovely history of being played in some of
the world's great orchestras and fittingly, this is another 'great',
bass offered at the Bass Cafe. It was recently restored and
is in beautiful condition. Although this bass was used pretty
extensively in professional orchestra settings, it is one of those
great basses that belongs wherever the player chooses to take it. It
has a great punchy, clear spiccato and a well developed range. No
weaknesses on this bass. It has the classic reddish-brown (French)
varnish with a beautiful flat back with the famous, "false" neck
button (the French makers sometimes did this to show off the
"regular" violin/cello outline, but still giving the bass an easier
sloped should near the neck stand to make it easier to play on.
Inside, the label reads:
Jerôme Thibouville Lamy, 1890. The bass
measurements: upper bouts, 19 3/4", lower bouts, 26 1/2", back 44"
and string length is 41 3/4". Be sure to click on any photo shown
here for a larger, more detailed image.
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Leon Mortin double bass, Mirecourt,
c.1905
A double bass, by Leon Mortin, Mirecourt, France (1905).
One of the most awesome upright basses on the planet for sure! There
is a maker's label inside this bass which reads: Ancienne
Maison Vuillaume Darte et Cunin Leon Mortin. Luthier, Mirecourt
1905), but we have seen another similar upright, which was
made by Leon Fischesser-Shollet whom lived to Paris in
1905 (the same year that the bass was made.) The most striking and
obvious highlight of this bass is the magnificent lion's head scroll
carving. It is a good sized scroll and very detailed.; (Even the
back of the scroll has an incredible array of the back of a lion's
mane.) Everything about this bass breathes elegance from the scroll,
to the perfect curves of the form outline and violin corners, to the
perfect exquisite (Strad) style f-holes. More so than anything
though is the way the bass plays. It is a clear, focused bass and
very responsive. Was played in major orchestra for many years.
Beautifully carved back (with lots of flame!) This is a bass which
you can hear 10 feet away as well as all way up in the balcony
seats. SOLD
Juzek upright bass?
Another old upright bass, possibly by Jan Juzek. There is some
hand writing on the directly on the inside back making note of the
new top that was replaced in 1934. It's a nice bass. Flat back and
gamba shaped with a nice low C-extension in it. Has a nice dark
chestnut varnish on it and very articulate sounding bass. The bass
is in great shape and also has the traditional outside linings
(could be a German bass too.) The upper bouts are 20 1/2", the lower
bouts 25 1/2", the back is 43" and the string length, 41".
Old (Restoration) Bass, c.1900
It's rare that we ever put a bass up here on the Bass Cafe that's
not 100% ready for sale yet, but it is almost there and with
something so beautiful, we couldn't help it! Only a couple of small
things needed to be done: the neck was too far into the body, making
it harder to play, so we are pulled the 'neck stand' out just a tad
so that it will play perfectly. Now we'll only need to do a little
touch up, new bridge and tailpiece...done! That back is beautiful!!!
We'll soon update this section with the providence of the bass and
the measurements. Interestingly enough, one can see how much a bass
varnish can darken after 100 years. Note the lighter spots where the
bridge feet normally stand is much lighter. (Some of that too is
just wear from the bridge feet as well.) This bass should be
finally ready around the end of January or early February. Be
sure to click on any photo shown here for a larger, more detailed
image.
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". SOLD
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! SOLD
There are more double basses
here.
Upright bass by Jacquet-Gand c.1860
Another great French bass by Jacquet-Gand
made sometime around 1860. The maker of this upright was more than
likely Gabriel Jacquet (known as Jaquet-Gand for marrying into the
Gand family). See the Wan-Bernadel
upright basses for more on Gand-Bernadel. Looking over this bass
closely one quickly gets a sense of history and the feeling of it's
uniqueness. The bass has just recently undergone a total
restoration, which included a beautiful neck graft and total set up.
This bass is a nice size where it is big enough to fill the sound of
a big hall, but small enough to get around and play on. A full
3/4 size bass. The upper bouts measure 20 1/8", the lower bouts
25 3/4", and the length of the back, 44" The string length is
42".The back is the traditional French (Gand) flat back and there is
a stately raised edge all around the back and the front as well.
(See photos). The top has a nice arching of spruce whereas the
rest of the bass, traditional figured maple. This bass plays as one
would expect on a master bass: Full focused sound with a ton of
cushion all around it. While it was owned and played by a prominent
jazz bassist, it is now set up to play in an orchestral setting.
It's an all around, great bass! SOLD
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" SOLD.
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.
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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