Karel Vysoky bass ex-Jim Black SOLD
This remarkable bass has sold. Congratulations to the wise bassist with good taste who acquired this gem! Its photo had gone 'viral' (for a photo of a bass) and attracted nearly 2,200 'likes' on our social media, with some 13,000 views! It's pretty special.
From the estate of the late New Orleans jazz bassist Jim Black, we are honored to present his 1930 Karel Vysoky (Czechoslovakia) bass, just reconditioned and updated. It would be considered a 7/8 with its long body and enormous tone. Ample overstand and 42" string length make it easily navigable in all positions. New D neck with carbon-fiber inlaid bars, new bass bar, fingerboard, bridge, tailpiece, and endpin. Though it hadn't been played in some time when it came in, as soon as it was repaired and strung up, it evidenced the power and mature tone of its long history in the hands of a jazz master.
Karel Vysoky was one of many makers who produced instruments in Europe to be imported by Rudolph Wurlitzer and Co. Perhaps best known in these times for their USA-made theatre organs and jukebokes, the Wurtlitzer family began making instruments in the 17th century, and made a major impact on musical life in America in the mid-19th-century, bringing better instruments at their price point to the US market as a result of importing directly from makers rather than through multiple middlemen.
Upper bout: 20"
Center bout: 16"
Lower bout: 27"
Rib Depth: 8 1/2"
String length: 42"
Interested? Learn about purchasing, financing, and trade-ins HERE - just contact us if we can answer any questions!