I've been on the lookout for a different upright after years of playing a Silver Creek Thumper, and I came across a late 50s King Mortone not too far away from me. In the few photos I got from the owner I spotted a crack, and I can't really tell from the photo how severe it is. I've sent the photo off to a luthier I've worked with in the past but he's usually very busy so I'm not sure when I'll get a response from him. I wanted to at least give it a shot with the experienced community here. Any help in determining whether this is going to be a costly operation or even if I should still consider purchasing the bass is greatly appreciated.
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Double Bass Small pegbox crack
- Thread starter EthanCakes
- Start date
I didn't upload the picture well I think, not very tech savvy unfortunately. I really appreciate the response, it's about a four-hour drive to just be able to actually see and try the bass out. He's asking about 1700. There also seems to be a loose seam on the front of the bass located directly in the middle and two screws in the back high up towards the neck heel.
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If you’re going to pass on this one, can you post the link? I’d like to low-ball ‘em, if I may… I could use a big ole restoration project.
The bass is really more in need of a proper restoration than it is a handful of minor repairs. That may or may not be worth it to you; these mid-century American plywoods can be real bangers, but there’s plenty of them out there. I’d wager you can find a ready-to-play example that’ll cost you essentially the same, maybe even less, than what you’d spend getting this one up to snuff.
That being said, I’ve restored a couple of similar instruments (pre-war Kay and an Epiphone) myself, learning along the way and passing on the most complicated bits to a luthier when I got in over my head. While I didn’t really end up making much money by the time I moved them on, I also didn’t really lose any—and I found the experience really rewarding. If you’re into that.
That being said, I’ve restored a couple of similar instruments (pre-war Kay and an Epiphone) myself, learning along the way and passing on the most complicated bits to a luthier when I got in over my head. While I didn’t really end up making much money by the time I moved them on, I also didn’t really lose any—and I found the experience really rewarding. If you’re into that.
It's kinda hard to see the full extent of the break- and yes, it is a break- in that photo. The only reason why it has not broken OFF, is because of the bridging effect of the large tuning machine plate. If I were to repair it, upon disassembly, and removal of the tuner plates, I'd venture to guess that the scroll would reveal quite a bit of 'floppiness' as there would then be nothing structural to hold the scroll together. It's not a difficult repair, I've done quite a few. The reality is, not to take it to a 'regular' repair person. Only an experienced string bass Luthier/ repair person should do that repair. The cost of the repair will vary by region, the Luthier's reputation, and the degree of backlog they have. Ironic, I'm about to do yet another scroll reattachment- one with a far worse break than that one.
If the bass is a good deal, the repair by a good Luthier, should be considered an investment, and will preserve the functionality. These Moretone basses are going up in value.
If the bass is a good deal, the repair by a good Luthier, should be considered an investment, and will preserve the functionality. These Moretone basses are going up in value.
If it is an unrepaired break, yes, very bad, and subject to sudden catastrophic failure! But it could be just a crude repair, and would last for years. You really need a luthier experienced in basses to look at it, and check out its other issues. I would be concerned about what looks like a vertical midline crack on the top, but again, it could be perfectly well repaired, but not made beautiful. Is there someone close by the seller whom you could employ to evaluate it for you?
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I'm really bad posting much of anything but it is listed through Facebook marketplace and is located in Illinois, I apologize for not being helpful, but I only heard about it from word of mouth and my friend showed me the listing. I wasn't really looking for a big project, the owner is helpful and was willing to meet up halfway with me. I truly appreciate all the help and insight from everyone, my luthier got back to me and was optimistic but he hasn't really seen the full bass yet.
Naw man, you’re very helpful and very much appreciated. It’s out of my area, but enough damage to try to haggle under $1k for sure, imho.
You should be able to make a very logical & educated decision.
Where else are you going to be able to purchase a factory original Blonde circa 1950s King Moretone- possibly nowhere right now. Blonde Kings are very rare, and get a premium price.
Top selling price would be approx $3500 from a reputable dealer. Figure 1/3-1/2 off that for a broken neck ( if repaired and functional) with obvious pegbox issues and a clearly broken button that indicates more damage, also likely a damaged internal neck block, new high quality bridge, and full setup + fingerboard dressing. Those big long length cracks on the top are a concern too. To "repair" all of those things would likely run approx. $2k+ in a reputable shop; possibly double in one of the spendy metropolitain areas. Now your $1700 bass starts looking like a $3700-5700 bass. If it was your grand paw paw's, no question get it done. For some random dork on Marketplace, then it should be closer to a $700 husk. The amount of 20th century US plywood basses awaiting a replacement necks compared to basses with good working necks seems to be about 10:1. I hit my shin on the big pile of them every day of the year when I walk past....
I'll give you $200 for the tuning machines, and that back would be useful to have as parts, but it will likely sit around for a couple of years.
This same base would be a potentially good candidate to have a new neck built to your specs and do a removable neck travel bass conversion, with a similar dollar amount in the end, but for different application.
Where else are you going to be able to purchase a factory original Blonde circa 1950s King Moretone- possibly nowhere right now. Blonde Kings are very rare, and get a premium price.
Top selling price would be approx $3500 from a reputable dealer. Figure 1/3-1/2 off that for a broken neck ( if repaired and functional) with obvious pegbox issues and a clearly broken button that indicates more damage, also likely a damaged internal neck block, new high quality bridge, and full setup + fingerboard dressing. Those big long length cracks on the top are a concern too. To "repair" all of those things would likely run approx. $2k+ in a reputable shop; possibly double in one of the spendy metropolitain areas. Now your $1700 bass starts looking like a $3700-5700 bass. If it was your grand paw paw's, no question get it done. For some random dork on Marketplace, then it should be closer to a $700 husk. The amount of 20th century US plywood basses awaiting a replacement necks compared to basses with good working necks seems to be about 10:1. I hit my shin on the big pile of them every day of the year when I walk past....
I'll give you $200 for the tuning machines, and that back would be useful to have as parts, but it will likely sit around for a couple of years.
This same base would be a potentially good candidate to have a new neck built to your specs and do a removable neck travel bass conversion, with a similar dollar amount in the end, but for different application.
When I was still doing buy/restore/flip as a side hustle, my usual offer for an old plywood wreck was $200.
It certainly makes things easier when it's all laid out in front of you like you've done here, thank you sir. I was fortunate to be directed to a hybrid bass a heck of a lot closer to me by way of my luthier, those fellas often turn into the exact people you need in times like these and I'm very grateful for him. Even more so I'm grateful for all the help from all you good people who took the time to give me some much-needed advice. I've been playing for quite a while, but the technical/maintenance side still escapes me but perusing these forums are a godsend.You should be able to make a very logical & educated decision.
Where else are you going to be able to purchase a factory original Blonde circa 1950s King Moretone- possibly nowhere right now. Blonde Kings are very rare, and get a premium price.
Top selling price would be approx $3500 from a reputable dealer. Figure 1/3-1/2 off that for a broken neck ( if repaired and functional) with obvious pegbox issues and a clearly broken button that indicates more damage, also likely a damaged internal neck block, new high quality bridge, and full setup + fingerboard dressing. Those big long length cracks on the top are a concern too. To "repair" all of those things would likely run approx. $2k+ in a reputable shop; possibly double in one of the spendy metropolitain areas. Now your $1700 bass starts looking like a $3700-5700 bass. If it was your grand paw paw's, no question get it done. For some random dork on Marketplace, then it should be closer to a $700 husk. The amount of 20th century US plywood basses awaiting a replacement necks compared to basses with good working necks seems to be about 10:1. I hit my shin on the big pile of them every day of the year when I walk past....
I'll give you $200 for the tuning machines, and that back would be useful to have as parts, but it will likely sit around for a couple of years.
This same base would be a potentially good candidate to have a new neck built to your specs and do a removable neck travel bass conversion, with a similar dollar amount in the end, but for different application.