Johann Georg Kessler

[Harmless]

Hey everybody.

I'm new to the world of UB's, I bought a bass carrying the name of Johann Georg Kessler. A Google search on that name has yet to reveal useful information, but it did lead me to talkbass.

I'll try to get some photo's up soon, but does anybody know anything about the name Johann Georg Kessler? Does it have "streetcred"?

I've been playing the electric bass guitar for quite some years, so I am moderately experienced playing string-bass intruments.
I think this particular UB plays surprisingly light and to me she sounds great.

Any helpful info will be greatly appreciated.

[Eric Hochberg]

If you google it with violin, you get a number of used instruments for sale. They must be student instruments based on the prices. That's not to say your bass is necessarily from that line. How old is the bass? Newer or antique? Is it laminated or solid?

Ask KS here if there is a JG Kessler listed in any of his books.

[Harmless]

Hi thanks for replying.

It's a newer bass, but I dont know how new. Laminated or solid? I have no idea, it seemes solid, no plywood I think. A friend of mine could be able to determine the type of wood after a close inspection.

JG Kessler was a Master Violin Crafter who died early 1800's. Does that mean that all modern instruments bearing his name are copies? Or are there still instruments being made with his name?

Everything I read so far tells me that my particular bass should be a JG Kessler copy, because it's made in W-Germany, which didn't exist in his time...

[Harmless]

Ive talked to my internship-coach (spelling? im dutch, i might make mistakes), who is the former owner of my JGKessler bass.

he couldnt tell me much about it, didnt know whether it has a carved or laminated top, but i see a wood-grain along the edge of the top, so that must be carved. im not sure about the back though, that could be plywood...

My dad asked me about the importance of it all, does it matter, because im very happy with the way she looks, feels and sounds.
the "nice-to-know" argument applies very well here...

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Harmless

JG Kessler was a Master Violin Crafter who died early 1800's. Does that mean that all modern instruments bearing his name are copies?

Copies of what? Does an old Kessler bass exist? Most likely the name was used strictly for marketing purposes by the company that originally sold it.

[Harmless]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Copies of what?

copies of old JGK instruments; i dont know whether JGK only made violins or also cellos and basses.

ok, so JGK is an established name in the world of violins and such, but if I were a craftsman, I'd rather write my own name on the instruments I make instead of someone else's.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Harmless

copies of old JGK instruments; i dont know whether JGK only made violins or also cellos and basses.

ok, so JGK is an established name in the world of violins and such, but if I were a craftsman, I'd rather write my own name on the instruments I make instead of someone else's.

The point is, if JKG was an actual violin maker, if he did not make any basses, there wouldn't be one to copy. Many craftsmen work for manufacturers who put the company name on their instruments. You would have to be in business for yourself to use your own name unless the company that hires you wants to use your name.

[kesslari]

Interesting stuff - he shares my last name.
Fun to think that he may be a long lost relative...