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ISB Classifieds:

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make the sale!

"It was the ISB ad which prompted the inquiry, which resulted in the sale. Thanks for making such a good deal available to us!"

~Jim Lambert

Double bass-related, single-item Internet Classified Ads for instruments, bows, accessories, CDs or publications for sale are $25 U.S. for ISB members, and $100 U.S. for non-members. For more information, click here:

Classifieds Submission Guidelines

Seller: Lisa Riddering, Troy MI
E-mail: lriddering@gmail.com
Phone Number: 248-840-7428
Asking Price: $7,000
Size: 3/4
Date Made: c.1950
Papers: No
String Length: 40 3/4 inches
Maker/Nationality: German
Performing Capacity: Solo, Orchestral, Chamber
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Violin Corners
Additional Description: Very good for solos and orchestral settings.  Set up well with an adjustable bridge.  In excellent condition.
CODE: NA

Seller: Peter Paulsen
Telephone: 610/793-2841
Email: ppaulsen@wcupa.edu
Asking price: $3,800
Description: Bass bow (French) by Reid Hudson, made in 1980. Playing hair length is 20.75 inches, overall length 27 inches. Weight is 142 grams.

Seller: Brian Barber, Royal Oak, MI
Email: brbarber1@hotmail.com
Phone Number: 734-330-5420
How to Purchase: brbarber1@hotmail.com
Asking Price: $8,000
Size: 3/4
Date Made: 1959
Papers: Yes
String Length: 41 3/4 inches
Maker/Nationality: Roth
Performing Capacity: Orchestral, Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Gamba Corners
Additional Description: Small 3/4; in good condition and is set up well with adjustable bridge and bumpers.  Clear, defined sound that is still warm and resonant.
CODE: 032109

Seller: Olivier Rabbath, Brooklyn NY
E-mail: musicbyolivier@gmail.com
Phone Number: 917-673-3891
How to Purchase: http://www.olivierrabbath.com/Rabbathcase.html
Asking Price: $4,900
Maker/Nationality: USA
Description: Not Francois but his son, Olivier Rabbath, has designed this new DOUBLE BASS FLIGHT CASE weighing only 35 lb(15.87kg) and made of kevlar and carbon for strength and durability. Inside, Rabbath has developed a unique "suspender" system that cradles the instrument five inches from the walls of the case.
CODE: NA

Seller: Michael Karn, West Orange, NJ
E-mail: michael.karn@comcast.net
Phone: 973-232-6156
Asking Price: $9,000.00
Size: 3/4
Date Made: 1930
Papers: No
String Length: 41 7/8 inches
Maker/Nationality: Czech
Performing Capacity: Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Gamba Corners
Additional Description: Czech Juzek circa 1930, restored in 2004 by Zachary Martin. Classic Juzek sound, focussed and punchy.

Seller: Jack Chapman (I'm 76 and the instrument needs a younger, active player)
E-mail: jackbenimble@juno.com, for photos and more information
Asking Price: $16,500, insured for professional use at $18,500.
Size:  3/4, very light (19 pounds).
Date Made: Likely early 1900s, no label.
Papers: Appraisals
String Length:  41.5 inches (105.4cm)
Maker/Nationality:  German, attributed to luthier Hermann Jaeger
Performing Capacity:  Jazz, Solo, Orchestral, Chamber
String Setup: 4-string, Kolstein Heritage or Tomastik Weich, your choice.
Shape: Flatback with Gamba corners.
Additional Description: Excellent condition, owned since 1953; restored with 3 new back battens and full top graduation in 1991; top of quarter sawn spruce, maple neck (Eb), back & ribs; S. American ironwood fingerboard (outstanding sonority), ebony nut & tailpiece; Tyrolean wooden peg machines hold pitch; no seam or glue problems and pre 1953 repairs all tight.  Very easy to play with fast action and response.  Beautiful full, clear, warm and resonant sustaining tone across all registers that projects extremely well,
both arco and pizzicato.
CODE: 1115008

Seller: Ryan Kamm
Email: ryan_kamm@hotmail.com
City: New York, NY
Phone Number: 615/498-4996
Asking Price: $29,000
Size: 7/8
Date Made: 1860
Papers: Yes
String Length: 41.5 inches
Maker/Nationality: Barbe, French
Performing Capacity: Orchestral, Chamber
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Gamba Corners
Additional Description: Small, narrow bass. Beautiful craftsmanship, fully restored recently (excellent condition). Very nice sound.
CODE: N/A

Seller: Marie-Claude Tardif
E-mail: mctbasse@hotmail.com
Phone Number: 713-419-1351
Asking Price: $22,000
Size: 3/4
Date Made: 2000
Papers: Yes
String Length: 41 1/2 inches
Maker/Nationality: Stefano Martinko/Canada
Performing Capacity: Solo, Orchestral, Chamber, Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Flat Back
Additional Description: It is a really nice instrument, easy to play, great sound, with the laborie end pin hole
CODE: 102408

Seller: Andrew Peck
E-mail: slickhornist88@yahoo.com
Asking Price: $4,300
Size: 3/4
Date Made: 2003
Papers: No
String Length: 41.5 inches
Maker/Nationality: Chinese
Performing Capacity: Solo, Orchestral, Chamber, Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Violin Corners
Additional Description: 3/4 bass made especially for Steven D. Reiley in 2003. This fully carved Testore copy was made in China and is strung with Bel Cantos. Originally purchased and set up at Guarneri House in Grand Rapids, MI. It has unusually clear tone and has proven itself well suited for all types of playing. The bass is in very good condition. Includes case cover. Will throw in a German style bow if need be. Bass lives in San Antonio, TX and would be a great conservatory-level instrument. Bass also features intricately engraved tuning machines and bridge adjustment knobs with excellent components (tailpiece, endpin etc.). D neck.
CODE: 120608

Seller: Joel Reist
E-mail: joelreist@gmail.com
Address: Nashville, TN
Telephone: 6156506463
Asking Price: $17,500
Size: 7/8
Date Made: 1991
Papers: Yes
String Length: 41.5 inches
Maker/Nationality: Kai Arvi/Canada
Performing Capacity: Solo, Orchestral, Chamber, Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Violin Corners
Additional Description: Bass #52. Bridge and nut by Dan Hachez. Just restored to top playing and cosmetic condition by Dustin Williams. Clear sound, even feel. Proven audition winner.
CODE: N/A

Seller: Guillermo Delgado
E-mail: guillobass@yahoo.com.ar
City: Buenos Aires
Country: Argentina (bass is in NYC)
Phone Number: +54 11 4586 1491
Asking Price: $10,000
Size: 7/8
Date Made: c.1880
Papers: No
String Length: 42 inches/1.07 m
Maker/Nationality: German/Tyrolean
Performing Capacity: Orchestral, Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Flat Back
Description: Top table is a two-piece plate of medium vertical grained spruce. Back table is a two-piece plate of slightly figured maple. Ribs of well flamed maple. Jaquet Bridge (Made in France). Original scroll, individual Tyrolean knob tuners. Varnish is deep brown with amber. Sound is extremely deep. Projection quality is most suitable for orchestral and jazz capability. Strong blocks, D'Addario Helicore arco strings. Includes padded soft case. VERY IMPORTANT! The bass is in NYC, and the special offer is until January 20, 2008. If not sold, I'll take the bass back to my country.

Seller: George Todd Matthews
E-mail: toddieus@hotmail.com
Phone Number: 804-536-2974
How to Purchase: gtmatthews@gmail.com
Asking Price: $9,500
Size: 3/4
Date Made: c.1900
Papers: Yes
String Length: 42 1/2 inches
Maker/Nationality: German
Performing Capacity: Solo, Orchestral, Chamber, Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Gamba Corners
Additional Description: check out video at http://web.mac.com/gtmatthews

Seller: David Pawlowski
E-mail: davekp@cfl.rr.com
Telephone: 321/459-0436
Asking Price: $6,500
Size: 3/4
Date Made: 2002
Papers: No
String Length: 41.5 inches
Maker/Nationality: Knilling
Performing Capacity: Orchestral, Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Description: Gamba Corners, fully carved round back, bridge adjusters, with bag. Additional info at www.knilling.com/student_bs_german.htm.
CODE: 070308

Seller: Yoan Goilav
Telephone: 646/314.4010
Email: yoangoilav@hotmail.com
Asking Price: $14,500
Size: 4/4 (7/8)
String Setup: 4-string
Made: c.1960
Nationality: Italian (no label)
Description: Versatile instrument with a flat back. Projects a bright and refined sound across all registers. Excellent concert instrument, with orchestra or piano accompaniment. Outstanding for chamber music and orchestra. ldeal for a talented professional or an advanced student. Very easy to play.
CODE: NA

Seller: Michael Ryle
Email: michael@successonyourownterms.com
Telephone: 508/2400-432
Asking Price: $6,000
Size: 7/8
Date Made: 2004
Papers: Yes
String Length: 42 inches
Maker/Nationality: Schnitzer/DaSola New Standard Cleveland Hybrid
Performing Capacity: Orchestral, Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Gamba Corners
Additional Description: Upper bout: 21 ¼“.  Lower bout: 26”.  Center bout: 16”.  Rib depth: 8 ½“.  Length: 45”  See michael@successonyourownterms.com for more info.  A fine instrument for jazz, with a loud, deep, punchy sound. Last winter I was on a gig and the leader came up to me to tell me how great the bass sounded, and all I was doing at the time was tuning. The bass is also suitable for classical playing. I have used it with the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra and with chamber groups as well.  Includes Mooradian bag and Fishman Full Circle.

Seller:  Ali Yazdanfar
Phone: 202-333-3203
Email: ali.yazdanfar@gmail.com
Price: $500 or best offer
Description:  Set of 4 brass Baker-style tuning gears. Never installed or used.

Seller: Bruce Hyman
E-mail: ocdhope@bellsouth.net
Phone: 954-423-2642
Asking Price: $26,000
Size: 3/4
Date Made: 1900
Papers: Yes
String Length: 41 inches
Maker/Nationality: Hawkes Panormo/French
Performing Capacity: Solo, Orchestral, Chamber, Jazz
String Setup: 4-String
Description: Large shoulders. Beautiful, warm, even tone across registers. Purchased from and set up by David Gage.
CODE: 100807

Seller: Mike Hennessy
Email: bassisth@new.rr.com
Telephone: 920/884-0581
Asking Price: $25,000
Size: 7/8
Date Made: mid 1800s
Papers: No
String Length: 42 3/4 inches
Maker/Nationality: German
Performing Capacity: Orchestral
String Setup: Current 4-string, interchangeable to 5.
Additional Description: Carved back. Original 5-string bass brought over from Germany in the 1920s by Fritz Reiner for the Cincinnati Symphony. Played in that orchestra for over 30 years. Great orchestral bass with a warm, dark sound and easy string response. Good condition, well repaired by Dave Horine of the Bass Viol Shop.

Seller: Mike Hennessy
Email: bassisth@new.rr.com
Telephone: 920/884-0581
Asking Price: $15,000
Size: 5/8
Date Made: 1974
Papers: No
String Length: 39 3/4 inches
Maker/Nationality: Lawrence LaMay/American
Performing Capacity: Solo, Chamber
String Setup: 4-String
Additional Description: Carved back. Very good condition, 5/8 size bass with narrow shoulders making it very easy to play. Great for chamber music and solo playing.

Seller: Kjell Jansson, Sweden
Telephone: +46 302-145-68
Email:  kjell.jansson@hem.utfors.se
Asking Price: 30,000 Euro
Size: 3/4
String Set-up: 4-string
String Length: 105.5 cm
Date Made: c.1930
Maker: Charles Quenoil
Nationality: French
Performance Capacity: Great for solo work (used by Francois Rabbath)
Description: Violin corners, clopping shoulders, arched back, orange/red varnish. Great sound and excellent condition.

CODE: 080508

Seller: Claudia Hafner
Contact: http://www.hafnercreative.com/doublebass/
Asking Price: $15,000
Size: 7/8
Date Made: 1971 restored
Papers: Yes
String Length: 43 3/8"
Maker/Nationality: German Restored Sam Kolstein
Performing Capacity: Orchestral
String Setup: 4-String
Shape: Carved Back
Additional Description: More information and measurements available at http://www.hafnercreative.com/doublebass/
CODE: N/A

Seller: Wayne Holmes
Phone: 731/742-4107, Milan, TN
Email: wholmesbassviol@yahoo.com
Asking Price: $11,000
Size: 4/4 (47 in. from bottom to shoulder; 76.5 in. bottom to top of scroll; 9 in. deep at lower bout)
Date Made: Early 2006
Papers: Yes
String Length: 42 in.
Maker/Nationality: Rumano Solano
Performing Capacity: Professional orchestra, Chamber, Jazz
String Setup: Done by Holmes Bass Viol Shop, includes slide C extension. I will set up to your liking, change bridge, different type of extension and/or strings, and anything else within reason.
Shape: Flat back Busseto
Additional Description: Impressively well built out of 80 year-old walnut back and sides, spruce top. Standard string length makes it easy to play. Rich full sounds that fills the hall. You’ll fall in love with its beauty and sound. Includes high quality bag, shoulder apron, bow quiver, mute, tuner – all new – and an extra end pin that installs at an angle. Will remove or change to your need. Mint condition, price is more than reasonable but negotiable.
CODE: 062008

Seller: Scott Dixon
Email: scottdixon78@hotmail.com
Asking Price: 15000
Size: 7/8
Date Made: 2001
Papers: Yes
String Length: 42
Maker/Nationality: Anton Krutz
Performing Capacity: Solo, Orchestral, Chamber, Jazz
String Setup: Low C Extension
Shape: Gamba Corners
Additional Description: This instrument won the recent Cleveland Orchestra section bass audition and the 2006 Buffalo Philharmonic principal bass audition.  Big, boomy sound, sloping shoulders, with Carbide-tipped and Laborie/Rabbath end pins.

Seller: Paul Ousley
Email: ousley@stolaf.edu
Asking Price: $42,000
Size: 3/4
Date Made: 1880
Papers: Yes
String Length: 41 inches
Maker/Nationality: Milanese
Performing Capacity: Solo, orchestral, chamber, jazz
String Setup: 4-string
Shape: Carved back
Additional Description: Beautifully restored by Kolstein, who identifies strong influence of Luigi Bajoni, Milan. Fir top, slab-cut two-piece pearwood back and scroll. Brass tuners and plates. Easy and fun to play, gorgeous tone in all registers. It has a relatively small body (19.25 in. at upper bout), making it ideal for smaller players and for getting to upper register. Have used it as orchestral and solo instrument. Jazz setup has an outrageous E-string growl. Insured for $50,000.

WANTS TO BUY: Stephen Koscica
Email: stevekos@earthlink.net
Selling Price: up to $50,000
Maker/Nationality: Buyer seeks English or Italian double bass
WANTED: Buyer seeks an English or Italian bass, made before 1930. Price range up to $50,000.

Seller: Michael Griffin
Telephone: 585/425-1803
Email: mvgriffin@frontiernet.net
Asking Price: $3,500
Papers: Robertson & Sons
Date Made: c. early 1900s
Nationality: French
Performance Capacity: all purpose

Description: French Mircourt bow stamped C.H. Buthod. Beautiful pernambuco stick, nickel mounted ebony frog, divided button. Mass 134.5 grams. Length, including button, is 66 cm (26 inches). Hair length 51.5 cm (20.25 inches). Great weight for all purposes. Warm and clean sound, excellent condition.

CODE: 110207

Seller: David Pawlowski
Email: davekp@cfl.rr.com
Asking price: $12,000
Size: Large 4/4 body
Date made: 1998
Papers: Yes
String length: 41.5 inches
Maker/Nationality: Rumano Solano
Performing capacity: Orchestral, jazz
String setup: Low C extension
Shape: Flat back

Additional description: M. Klotz-style bag. Busetto corners, D neck. With deluxe Mooradian bag. Big , full sound. Helicore orchestra strings.

Seller: Josh Ginsburg  
Email:jjgins@mac.com
Asking Price: $13,000
Papers: Yes
Size: 3/4      
String Length: 41 1/2"
String Set-up: 4 string
Date Made: c.1900
Maker: Bittermann
Nationality: Austrian-Hungarian
Performance: Capacity: Orchestral, Chamber, Jazz, Solo
Desciption:  A very nice flatback double bass c.1900 by Bittermann.   The back was rebuilt and bass bar adjusted by Arnold Schnitzer in  early 2006. Overall the bass is in very good condition and has a  beautiful even yet dark tone. Viennese style scroll.

More photos and info

Seller: Al Cardillo
Email: alcardillo@alcardillo.com
Phone number: 917-921-3140
Asking Price: $15,000
Papers: No
Size: 3/4
String Length:
String Set-up: Daddario Hybrid
Date Made: mid-19th Century
Maker: unknown
Nationality: German (Bohemian) Flat-Back
Performance Capacity: Solo, orchestral, chamber, jazz

Description: Fitted with a Barbera Transducer Bridge Pickup System. The original bridge is also available at no extra charge. This bass was fully restored in 1995 by Arnold Schnitzer. It is an excellent bass for jazz and orchestral playing. It has a dark and even tone.

CODE: 013007