Prescott bass pictures

basswraith · #1 01-09-2005, 11:55 AM

here is an interesting site I found of a church in Massachusetts. They have an old Prescott bass that has been part of that church since the early 1800's. It is still in its 3 string state. take a look.
http://homepage.mac.com/charlesfrean...toAlbum40.html

Jazzman · #2 01-09-2005, 12:15 PM

Very cool. Do all Prescott basses have F holes that look like that? I find it strange that they have ovbiously had work done on the bass (shim on the fingerboard), but never converted it to a four string.

teachbass · #3 01-09-2005, 12:24 PM

Thanks for sharing the link. That Prescott has a beautiful varnish and I bet it sounds fantastic as a three string. There is some lucking bass player at that church. Just wonder how it fits in to the praise and worship setting that is so popular today....

Wil Davis · #4 01-09-2005, 01:42 PM

Volker Nahrmann has a number of Prescotts - there are pictures on his site - including an 3-string 1820 Prescott Busetto.

- Wil

Paul Warburton · #5 01-09-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Very cool. Do all Prescott basses have F holes that look like that? I find it strange that they have ovbiously had work done on the bass (shim on the fingerboard), but never converted it to a four string.

No they don't......some really fun reading on Abe. Do a search, and our links here on TBDB. Three models: This Busetto, gamba and violin that looks exactly like a violin including shoulders.

Confucius · #6 01-09-2005, 06:29 PM

You think its being played or is it just a museum piece there? The action looks very high if you check out a close up.

basswraith · #7 01-09-2005, 07:26 PM

Its not really being played. It needs to be fixed bofore u can tune up the strings. I played it a few years ago. It sounds as good as it looks...could be better.

Michael Case · #8 01-17-2005, 09:38 AM

Count me in, I'll drive!

basswraith · #9 01-18-2005, 11:34 PM

So I say we get a few TBers and make a heist. We can share the bass, everyone gets a few months at a time with it, kind of like a timeshare. Who's in?[/quote]

Steal the bass from the church? Sounds like you'd go straight to hell before you got the bow on the string.

Michael Case · #10 01-19-2005, 08:50 AM

We'll just play it pizz then.

Steve Killingsworth · #11 01-20-2005, 04:24 AM

Was (is?) there a standard tuning for a 3 string?

Paul Warburton · #12 01-20-2005, 06:36 AM

They settled on A D G, after trying many variants. Same as now, just no E.

godoze · #13 01-20-2005, 08:10 AM

We have a guy in Philly that has 3 0r 4 Prescott Church basses...

Ben Joella · #14 01-20-2005, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ

We have a guy in Philly that has 3 0r 4 Prescott Church basses...

HeHeHe....The Lord prefers Prescotts.

godoze · #15 01-20-2005, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

Actual church basses, smaller basses (somewhat inbetween a cello and a bass) or actual basses that are kept in a church so noone can play them? Are any for sale?

Actual Church Basses.. For Sale... ONe currently has duct tape holding the scroll on...

jneuman · #16 01-20-2005, 10:25 AM

I wonder if a Church bass would be a good candidate for conversion to a piccolo bass of some kind of chamber bass with with higher tuning. It seems like they would be better than a Jazz cello. I see them from time to time on ebay. If memory serves me, they are usually fairly cheap.

basswraith · #17 01-20-2005, 10:42 AM

these basses where made for churches that had no organs. They would tune the 3 stringers to match the hymn they where singing. They most likely just played the open strings which might have been tunined to I/IV/V....AAAAAHHHMEN.