Bass Origin

Chang · #1 12-01-2008, 06:37 PM

Hi, All! I've got this bass out on trial from a reputable shop. The guy helping me mentioned something about it being French but said he was leaning towards New England because of the way the scroll is carved. I feel like it looks and plays like a nice German. I was wondering if anyone out there had any ideas. Thanks so much!!

Front:

Back:

Sides:

Scroll:

anonymous12251111 · #2 12-01-2008, 07:38 PM

What is that at the scroll?? It looks like some sort of strange scordatura device.

salcott · #3 12-01-2008, 11:40 PM

I don't want to open a can o'worms, but I've seen a picture of Red Mitchell with a bass that had a gadget like that on it. In the cover photo for "Blues for a Crushed Soul", the nut looks round and metallic; if the actuating levers are there, they're not visible, though.

Dogbertday · #4 12-01-2008, 11:56 PM

that looks like a height adjustable nut?... The bass is a beaut!

**Matthew Tucker** · #5 12-02-2008, 12:46 AM

To me, that bass looks more bohemian than french or german.

JeffKissell · #6 12-02-2008, 01:55 AM

...allows the bass to be tuned to low C quickly. I think I played this bass at Hammond Ashley in Washington this summer...no clue on the origin, though they said Yankee when I asked.
-J

Chang · #7 12-02-2008, 04:03 AM

Thanks for your replies. Yes, Jeff, I'm sure you played on this bass. It's a nice instrument. I'm curious as to your thoughts on it.

The gadget is a system of cams. It allows the E-string to go to a D with the flip of the lever. The other strings are also on individually adjustable cam units that compensate for the change in tension and keep them from going out of tune. A really neat invention, but not always too practical. I'd rather have an extension. Still, it beats not having the lower 2 half-tones.

Yeah, I'm interested in this bass, but I'd like to know more about it before I get really serious.

I'm curious as to why you think it looks Bohemian, Matthew.

Thanks!

**Matthew Tucker** · #8 12-02-2008, 06:34 AM

just a feeling really. Something about the tall upper bout and the way the ffs hang, and the interesting head which looks neither german nor french. the lines are too asymmetrical to be french and too fine to be german. germanic, in a broad sense, but stylish, leaning toward the italian side. if not bohemian, Viennese perhaps?

But hey, what would I know. It just feels that way from here!

**Matthew Tucker** · #9 12-03-2008, 05:29 AM

OK these are obviously not identical. But similar. The FFs are way different, but similarly placed. Look at the form, and the neck button.

That one's from England, James Cole jr, Manchester, 1889 (according to Elgar)

JeffKissell · #10 12-03-2008, 07:36 AM

Hi Chang,
I must say my reason for playing all of the basses at HA that day was purely therapy. I had been staying with my wife's family in Seattle for over a week and had not played in that time. I was going a bit stir crazy, so I talked them into a "shopping" trip to Issaquah!

That said, I remember the bass as powerful with the bow and it had a really beautiful voice. I'm not much of an arco player but another person played it while I was there. The other thing I remember (besides the odd cam) was how solid it was. Everything felt like it was right where it needed to be, both physically and to my ear.

I wish I had more info you.
-J

Carl Johnson · #11 12-04-2008, 12:40 AM

Kind of looks like a dutch bass that was at HA in San Diego a couple of years ago. Although that one was a flatback. But the sides and the over all shape and the scroll look similar.

Anyways sure looks like a nice bass, top looks pretty thin in your pics, must speak easy

drurb · #12 12-04-2008, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carl Johnson

...top looks pretty thin in your pics, must speak easy

I'm curious-- How can you tell that the top is thin other than by judging the outside edges that are visible in the pictures?

Jason Sypher · #13 12-04-2008, 07:58 AM

I'm no luthier but I do have a Yankee bass and I will say that nothing about that instrument looks American to me. Experts? Arnold?

dchan · #14 12-04-2008, 08:44 AM

Can't really trust Elgar, whose books has beautiful pictures but frequently inaccurate maker-attributions.

Carl Johnson · #15 12-04-2008, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

I'm curious-- How can you tell that the top is thin other than by judging the outside edges that are visible in the pictures?

Exactly, imprecise I agree…

Jake deVilliers · #16 12-04-2008, 01:41 PM

Hey Chang, which store is that bass from? I'm just curious, not competition.

**Matthew Tucker** · #17 12-04-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dchan

Can't really trust Elgar, whose books has beautiful pictures but frequently inaccurate maker-attributions.

No it's not a bible by any means. But it's nice to be able to compare and contrast basses.

One day someone will print a list of corrections to Elgar. And then someone will dispute THEM.

Jake deVilliers · #18 12-04-2008, 04:32 PM

Good one Matthew!

I'd like the people who continually berate Elgar and Traeger to PLEASE publish their own books. I will be the first to buy a copy.

**Matthew Tucker** · #19 12-04-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

I'd like the people who continually berate Elgar and Traeger to PLEASE publish their own books. I will be the first to buy a copy.

dchan · #20 12-04-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

No it's not a bible by any means. But it's nice to be able to compare and contrast basses.

Definitely agree on that.