The Kaleshek Bass

Jason Sypher · #1 12-05-2007, 06:51 AM

I'm sure I'm spelling this wrong but where can I find info on this bass...Ken?

KSB - Ken Smith · #2 12-05-2007, 07:05 AM

Is that a type of Bass, makers name, company? I have no clue. Never even heard that name/word before spelling or not. Sorry.

billybass · #3 12-05-2007, 07:19 AM

You must be talking about the Thomas Kelischek basses.
John Chiego out of Memphis plays one. There was an ISB article in the mid to late 90's with the bass as the centerfold.

M Ramsey · #4 12-05-2007, 08:27 AM

http://www.susato.com/

will get you to the site of The Kelischek Workshop.

I met Thomas, years ago, here in my hometown. He was George's son and has suffered a stroke and possibly passed away now.

Thomas came by a small fiddle shop we used to frequent that was owned and operated by Marvin Willis a known character in these parts (also now deceased).

At the time of meeting Thomas he had a baroque bass reproduction that he had built for some museum in the northern part of the country. If I stated a city, I would just be guessing at this point.

This bass was gamba shaped and had the gut "frets" accross the fingerboard, tied in a knot on the back of the neck. Ken Smith will probably be able to describe it better or give a proper name.

From the looks of the site, George is still making violins and the baroque period-styled instruments along with other instruments not in the string family. The shop is located in extreme western North Carolina, a town called Brasstown.

Jason Sypher · #5 12-05-2007, 09:10 AM

Found it in an old issue of Double Bassist.

MingusAmongUs · #6 12-05-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Ramsey

At the time of meeting Thomnas he had a baroque bass reproduction that he had built for some museum in the northern part of the country. If I stated a city, I would just be guessing at this point.

This bass was gamba shaped and had the gut "frets" accross the fingerboard, tied in a knot on the back of the neck. Ken Smith will probably be able to describe it better or give a proper name.

Sounds like a Viola da Gamba

KSB - Ken Smith · #7 12-05-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M Ramsey

This bass was gamba shaped and had the gut "frets" accross the fingerboard, tied in a knot on the back of the neck. Ken Smith will probably be able to describe it better or give a proper name.

Violone I would imagine from the description if it's a DB size. If played sitting then maybe a Viol d'gamba. Or maybe something in between. Pics would help, maybe..

M Ramsey · #8 12-05-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

Violone I would imagine from the description if it's a DB size. If played sitting then maybe a Viol d'gamba. Or maybe something in between. Pics would help, maybe..

This instrument was definitely DB sized so it would have been the violone as Ken describes.

Don Higdon · #9 12-05-2007, 02:08 PM

Jason,
Give Arnold Schnitzer a call or e-mail. He has worked on that bass. It was in his shop on one of my visits.

Jason Sypher · #10 12-05-2007, 04:44 PM

It's a bass not a violone...at least that's what the article says.

Thanks Don I will talk to Arnold.

M Ramsey · #11 12-05-2007, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

It's a bass not a violone...at least that's what the article says.

Thanks Don I will talk to Arnold.

Jason,

I was describing an instrument that Thomas had with him when I met him, not the one you found pics of.

Hope this clarifies things a bit.

Jason Sypher · #12 12-05-2007, 07:14 PM

I only have time to skim these posts like an Evelyn Wood speed reading course. I actually thought it was Ken who was asserting that it wasn't designed, tuned and played as a doublebass

KSB - Ken Smith · #13 12-05-2007, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

I only have time to skim these posts like an Evelyn Wood speed reading course. I actually thought it was Ken who was asserting that it wasn't designed, tuned and played as a doublebass

Well, you failed the course. I have no idea what this bass is they are talking about. Only taking a guess from the description.

Martin Sheridan · #14 12-05-2007, 08:01 PM

Yes, it is a bass. John Ciego still had it the last time I saw him a few years back and said it was a hellava bass. Thomas Kelichek was left in pretty much a vegetative state after a stroke or anuerism. He was pretty young at the time; not yet fourty as I recall. Very sad. I met his father in the mid or early 80s. He was a graduate of the Mittenwald school and managed to make and sell a lot of instruments out of his home and shop in Brasstown. He was getting very good prices for his work, and managed a fairly large output.

Mark Carlsen · #15 12-05-2007, 10:36 PM

You should see the detail he put into the Bridge...Everything is rounded off and it had a Brand or carving on top of the Bridge. Very unusual work....

Jason Sypher · #16 12-06-2007, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

Well, you failed the course. I have no idea what this bass is they are talking about. Only taking a guess from the description.

So what do I get for stumping the luthier, a night out with the Gilkes?

KSB - Ken Smith · #17 12-06-2007, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

So what do I get for stumping the luthier, a night out with the Gilkes?

I was stumped? A DB sized inst. with frets is known as a Violone in my book. That's the info I was given..

Oh, and the Gilkes is already out with its new potential owner.. Gotta jump quicker next time..

M Ramsey · #18 12-06-2007, 06:59 AM

I have been trying to find a link to the Kelischek violone of which I encountered (sorry for the confusion Jason) and haven't found one yet.

Here is a link to a bunch of musical collections in various museums around the world. Maybe somebody with more time than me can find some use for this:

http://plato.acadiau.ca/courses/musi...2273/Instr.htm

Silversorcerer · #19 12-07-2007, 10:58 AM

Well at least we got to look at the really cool DB that Jason found the photos of. With no lower corners it reminds me a little of Arnold's outline for the ergonomic.

I guess there were both violones and DB's by that maker. I've researched violones quite a bit and never seen that name yet. Mostly the really old ones is all I've found.

Marcus Johnson · #20 12-07-2007, 11:45 AM

I remember that article... the Kelischek bass has a human head-shaped scroll, a likeness of someone, maybe Tom Kelischek himself? Can't recall...

The bridge really was quite a piece of carving as well. Lots of interesting, unusual features on that bass. If I remember correctly, the soundpost was of quite a large diameter.