Boosey & Hawkes Excelsior or Golden Strad

Simon Marsh · #1 06-04-2008, 03:59 PM

Does anybody know anything about these instruments please? Also, is £100 - £300 a good price to pay for one - I'm considering one as a second / gigging instrument. Any help would be much appreciated.

PaulKing · #2 08-07-2008, 04:43 AM

I've owned both ... and just bought a mint condition blonde Excelsior at significanly higher than that price. It is beautiful. If you've access to one that cheap, buy it!
They're reasonable laminates for non-orchestral good-time music. My Golden Strad was a bit worse for wear, and under-sized (maybe it was a 1/2 size?), so I mis-treated it for a few years, sold it on.

I'm still looking for some web info / history on B+H imports, but haven't founf any. Think I'll drop a line to the company, though they only do sheet music these days.
And the Horniman museum have a collection of old B+H instruments. Maybe they've some historical info.

My new Excelsior is imported ... I wonder where from. Has a brand name of Altia or something ... only picked it up last night, so starting the search for info again.

PaulKing · #3 08-07-2008, 05:27 AM

Just found this .. out of date but interesting. Also describes a hybrid (spruce top) rather than lammy bass.

"Its coming to the end of the sale of my Vintage 1930's Artia Excelsior Double Bass (¾ size) - on ebay I'm afraid. If you are interested in it get your bids in now otherwise it will go to someone else!
URL: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tem=3750736147

Here is the description I have put with it (through a bit of research on the instrument along with previous sales of the same model elsewhere:

"The beautiful rounded tone of this classic instrument is superb. One of the 'Excelsior' range by Artia as a special commission to the Boosey & Hawkes company, these beauties are not made anymore and are extremely rare. Made circa 1930, this contrabass (or double bass) with good quality bow is in good condition for its age. Soft-padded zip-up case with pockets for bow and spare strings, resin etc. included.

Some specifications:
Solid spruce top
Grain is nice and the colour, a classical oil varnish.
Ebonised fingerboard
Maple wood is used in the construction of the back, the neck and the back ribs.

This really is a lovely instrument which has a deep, rich tone for both classical and jazz playing. 3/4 size (just over 6ft) with a great action and feel. Woodwork has evidence of use with scratches (which some prefer), but if you prefer the new look, it will cost next to nothing to add a layer of varnish. Neck in very good condition, and all nuts 'n' bolts in good working order."

Hmm.

PaulKing · #4 08-07-2008, 05:36 AM

I just found an auction listing ... this must be what prompted you to ask the question.
http://www.gardinerhoulgate.co.uk/sa...06-06-2008.htm

Well, did you buy one?

PaulKing · #5 08-07-2008, 06:01 AM

Artia seems to have been a Czech, govt run company. They now (or recently) only publish music.

So presumably B+H were importing these models from the Czech manufacturer between 1930s to early 1980's.

PaulKing · #6 03-08-2011, 07:35 AM

As this thread seems to be one of the few sources of info about B+H basses on the web, though I'd give it a little update a few years down the line.

B+H imported basses to UK throughout the 1960s from the Cremona factory in Luby Czechoslovakia. Not to be confused with later Chinese basses named Cremona. The basses were named Artia, and labelled as Excelsior by B+H.

The Govt run Cremona factory was privatised in the 1970s, and eventiually became the Strunal factory that still makes great basses today.

I'm still playing my Excelsior / Artia bass regularly. It has a sweet full and soft tone, and is very forgiving for slap style, absorbing all manner of clanks and clicks ... which means it can take a wide variety of strings without sounding too 'noisy'.

artfidle2u · #7 06-09-2011, 11:24 AM

I'm a proud owner of a French B&H circa 1911 full size bass,which,was originally supplied to B&H,who were supplying musical instruments to the British army etc.It's been in my possesion for nigh- on 50 years.Is there anyone out there who can throw some light on this particular model.I've been playing jazz with it most of the time,and the tone is big,fat,and round.