Double Bass Grunert 101 Value?

[Ranger459]

I bought it in 1977 from an older gentleman who played in a Jazz Quartet. It's in good shape with a few nicks but I really don't know much about it. I only took it on a few gigs when we did a couple jazz numbers several years ago. When my wife and I retire next year, we may downsize so I will sadly need to part with it. Thanks for any and all comments.

 

[AGCurry]

I'm guessing this is a laminate bass? Given when you bought it, it's probably from the 1960s or earlier 1970s.

My top questions, other than "what's wrong with it?", are always a) how does it sound? and b) how does it play?
If the answers to those questions are "great" and "great", then you just have to price it low enough so people want to come and look at it. If those aren't the right answers, you have to price it lower. In general, unless it's a vintage Kay/King/American Standard, ballpark is around $1200 - even though it may be a better bass than a vintage Kay/King/American Standard.

Obviously you're not that excited about playing it. I would suggest taking it to a good luthier to see if some work might make it shine in terms of playability and sound. Who knows? You might end up loving it.

 

[Ranger459]

Thanks Andy! I know a very good luthier and will most likely have him look at it. Regarding your questions, I always thought it played and sounded well but I am far from experienced with double basses and have only ever played a few.

Thanks again!

 

[RSBBass]

The made in Germany label could put it to a pre WWII date. After that there were a few different names used but not just?"Germany" until reunification

 

[AGCurry]

The made in Germany label could put it to a pre WWII date. After that there were a few different names used but not just?"Germany" until reunification

A nazi bass, or even older? Hmm. It sure doesn't look that old, but ... my 1975 Anton Schroetter's label does say "Made in Western Germany."

 

[RSBBass]

I doubt a Nazi era bass as the export window to English speaking contries is small.

 

[LouisF]

My hunch is that it's from the 1960. Post-war to 1960s would have had some GDR (East German) marker. 1930s and 40s export would have been unlikely politically. From the 1970s on the Grunert label was marked "Penzberg".

Erich Grünert Double Bass, Penzberg, West Germany, c1970