The new Prescott bass?

Martin Sheridan · #1 10-23-2008, 06:28 PM

Recently I read through the thread on Prescott and other Yankee bass makers and I've been thinking about making some copies. Over the years I've seen maybe a dozen Prescotts of various sizes, but they've all been good basses.

I'd appreciate any input from you as players and from any of my fellow luthiers who've made copies of this famous American maker. Except for a few copies of my old French bass I've always made basses based on the work on the Italians. Anyway, maybe it's time to go American? What'da ya think?

Uncletoad · #2 10-23-2008, 09:01 PM

Brian Glassman's Prescott Gamba is one of the best basses I've ever played. I've really liked all the Yankee Basses I've played. The Prescott Busetto corner basses are super sexy and worthy of replication.

I'm all for it!

Mark Carlsen · #3 10-23-2008, 09:22 PM

Martin, You might want to talk to Andy Stetson of the Bass Celllar in Cinci.... He makes copies.... Good Cat !!!

toman · #4 10-23-2008, 09:52 PM

I don't know about copies, but someone posted photos of one or more Solano instrument based on a Prescott model. Wasn't one walnut? I think so...

bribass · #5 10-23-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncletoad

Brian Glassman's Prescott Gamba is one of the best basses I've ever played. I've really liked all the Yankee Basses I've played. The Prescott Busetto corner basses are super sexy and worthy of replication.

I'm all for it!

Not to gloat, but it really is the bomb.

http://www.thetalkbasses.com/

It would be a good model to copy. It's kinda between a 3/4 and a 7/8 in size.

It has the length, upper and lower bout measurements of a 3/4 w/ slightly wide upper bouts, but the ribs are deeper than most 3/4's giving it the air volume of a 7/8 and the large sound of one as well.

Barrie Kolstein has made some copies of the Lafaro Prescott. The one I played was nice. It's a somewhat smaller than my bass w/ Busetto corners. Some Prescott fans may recall our exTBDBer Ken Smith speculating that the Lafaro bass is really by JB Allen, another Yankee maker.

BG

LouisF · #6 10-24-2008, 12:05 AM

David Gage's shop recently built one:

Front ViewBack ViewSide View

Maker: Gage String Instruments

Origin: American

Catalog ID: 1579

Age (approx.): 0 years

Size: 7/8

Condition: New

Accessories: Mooradian Cover

Synopsis: A copy of a Prescott bass, built at David Gage String Instruments from components created by the shop. The top is Sitka Spruce, the Ribs and Back are made from North American maple, and the tuners are custom-made to match the original Prescott.

Bass Price: $26,000

toman · #7 10-24-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bribass

Some Prescott fans may recall our exTBDBer Ken Smith speculating that the Lafaro bass is really by JB Allen, another Yankee maker.

BG

If Prescott the man actually made all the basses I see attributed to him, he certainly made a whole lot of basses with a whole lot of different characteristics. I know he was prolific, especially as bass makers go, but still it seems everybody knows someone who knows someone who owns a "Prescott" and it seems like similarly attributed basses pop up around the web pretty regularly. Not that anyone is fibbing of course, I just think there's not much interest in exactly who made those rather strange creations. Maybe just not mysterious or prestigious enough...

bribass · #8 10-24-2008, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toman

If Prescott the man actually made all the basses I see attributed to him, he certainly made a whole lot of basses with a whole lot of different characteristics. I know he was prolific, especially as bass makers go, but still it seems everybody knows someone who knows someone who owns a "Prescott" and it seems like similarly attributed basses pop up around the web pretty regularly. Not that anyone is fibbing of course, I just think there's not much interest in exactly who made those rather strange creations. Maybe just not mysterious or prestigious enough...

Supposedly there are some 200 plus basses that came from the Prescott shop. Ofcourse he had several people working there especially when the business going by the 1840's.

The Dearborn Bros. worked for him before starting there own business.
I believe only the early basses from about 1828 into the 1830's were built by the old man Abe himself. Ken and Don Carrigan are ther authorities on this.

There were several different models that were built over the 25 years or so that the business run by Prescott himself. There are also other Yankee makers that came after that made basses w/ Prescott characteristics.

The Dearborns, Tewksbury, Batchelder, and JB Allen who may have worked for Prescott as well.
This is all in the big Prescott Yankee bass thread.

There are some tell tale characteristics on basses that indicate the Prescott shop itself.

BG

peterpalmieri · #9 10-24-2008, 11:17 AM

I've played Barrie Kolstein's copy and it was very nice. He also has two originals in his shop. Including Lafaro's bass.

If I was in a position to have Barrie make me a bass I'd opt for the Prescott copy. Guessing it's in the same price range as Gage.

Eric Hochberg · #10 10-24-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

I've played Barrie Kolstein's copy and it was very nice. He also has two originals in his shop. Including Lafaro's bass.

According to Ken, LaFaro's bass is not a Prescott.

peterpalmieri · #11 10-24-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehochberg

According to Ken, LaFaro's bass is not a Prescott.

That's news to me. In any case it is a wonderful bass as is the High Society Bass.

Eric Hochberg · #12 10-24-2008, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

That's news to me. In any case it is a wonderful bass as is the High Society Bass.

Ken also thinks Arvell Shaw's bass may not be a Prescott. Check out the thread on his forum for more info. Very interesting stuff.

Eric Hochberg · #13 10-24-2008, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterpalmieri

If I was in a position to have Barrie make me a bass I'd opt for the Prescott copy. Guessing it's in the same price range as Gage.

Shank Strings has one for sale for $23,500. Looks beautiful!

Martin Sheridan · #14 10-24-2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisF

David Gage's shop recently built one:

Front ViewBack ViewSide View

Maker: Gage String Instruments

Origin: American

Catalog ID: 1579

Age (approx.): 0 years

Size: 7/8

Condition: New

Accessories: Mooradian Cover

Synopsis: A copy of a Prescott bass, built at David Gage String Instruments from components created by the shop. The top is Sitka Spruce, the Ribs and Back are made from North American maple, and the tuners are custom-made to match the original Prescott.

Bass Price: $26,000

I'd love to make one with tuners like the original. And I like the idea of either a 7/8 or something in between a 3/4 and 7/8. I didn't realize so many people were making Prescott models. I don't think I've seen two that were alike. I've seen two very small ones that are really like over size cellos, a couple of 3/4 sizes more or less and Dick Wagos which is a big mama, kind of a 5/4.

Martin Sheridan · #15 10-24-2008, 11:57 AM

The first Prescott I ever saw had an original label that said: "Abraham Prescott maker of double basses and Umbrellas". I'm not kidding.

For what it's worth, I think the LaFaro bass is a Prescott, but since he had a lot of guys working for him I suppose it could have been Allen. In any case it's the Prescott idea and execution that counts. Stradivari had everyone in Cremona working for him, so I don't believe that he made all of his instruments with his own hands either. In the end it doesn't really matter, it's the end product, the tool for the musician that counts.