Sometime between approximately 5:00 pm on friday June 10 and the morning of saturday June 11 at the convention of the International Society of Bassists at the Dalton Center of the Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a large 7/8th size double bass disappeared from the overnight instrument storage area. The bass is approx. 80 inches from the endpin to the tip of the extension and possesses a string length of 42 7/8 inches.
This instrument has the characteristic Tyrolean hump at the union of the ribs and the neck butt. This bass has recently been overhauled including, but not limited to the making of four new crossbars, a new bass bar, new endpin block, new bridge and sound post and a neck reset. There are two wooden dowels in the neck butt.
The top is made of two-piece spruce and is cut with gamba corners-with the lower G-string side corner having been recently replaced. The ribs and flat back are made of maple. There is no purfling on this instrument. One distinguishing characteristic of this particular instrument is a new wood strip 1.5 inches wide inset into the ribs at the lower bout G-string side.
The sycamore neck and scroll are original and accommodate an ebony fingerboard. There is a maple shim between the fingerboard and the neck. The brass plated tuning machines are individually mounted and have wood cores.
The original varnish was a transparent reddish brown oil and is underneath the brown spirit over-varnish.
The bass has several distinctive markings that can be used later for positive identification. In the time since the photos were taken, the most significant change is the addition of a brass B extension made by KC Strings (photos of extension available at http://www.kcstrings.com/masterlink.htm ). In addition to the extension, a metal piece was added to the E string hole of the tailpiece due to the string's inability to reach the opening. The tailpiece wire has been replaced with a black and red cord (viewable at http://www.mikepecanicmusic.com/catalog.html). Since the photos, the bass had been fitted with a Goetz style endpin manufactured by the Meisel company and there was a 10mm shaft Onyx brand bass wheel with the instrument. The bow quiver was attached and had a few drops of dried glue splashed on one side. A Botoni bow with a german frog and black hair was in the quiver.
The bass was in a black Mooradian cover with a slightly modified shoulder strap. There were two extra cushions added to the strap. There was one (possibly 2) open seams near the cover's side carrying straps. The pockets' contents included a Samsonite travel bag with various bass accessories (rosin, mutes etc), a blue plastic ruler and a purple binder of orchestral excerpts.
The instrument has no maker's label, but there is a penciled inscription along the instrument's back (viewable through the G string f hole) indicating a repair had been made in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the early 20th century.
The instrument may be turned in with NO QUESTIONS ASKED to:
David Gage String Instrument Repair
36 Walker Street
New York, NY 10013-3514
Telephone: (212) 274-1322
Fax: (212) 274-9634
bravenet.com