Hailing from Mittenwald, this trade bass spent a significant part of its life in the hands of Melbourne‑based postal worker by day and bassist by night, Arthur Humphrey. Supporting a family of seven, Arthur performed across the city throughout the 1940s to the 1960s. He became a regular at The Troika in Bentleigh, sharing the stage with both local talent and touring artists — most notably, Louis Armstrong.
 
This instrument was entrusted to us by the Humphrey's family in late 2024. Over the following seventeen months it underwent an extensive restoration, including major internal work, a highly figured maple neck graft, a deep and dark re‑varnishing, a AAA‑grade adjustable bridge and soundpost, and a new ebony fingerboard.
 
Today, the bass continues to open up sonically with each passing day. It offers a rich, resonant bottom end paired with a clear, pointed accuracy in the upper thumb positions. With its D‑neck and comfortable string spacing, this instrument would suit a soloist seeking nuance or a jazz player looking for tonal clarity over grit.
 
String Length: 105.5cm | 41.5 inches
Reference: #8324