Prescott -1830's FS

lrhbass · #1 02-10-2011, 12:27 PM

Full Size,Gamba shape, Prescott. !830's,a large and very dark sounding Bass. I have owned this instrument since 82'. Very healthy great shape and ready to go. This is the real deal,with A.P.'s original label inside.Superb Orch. section Bass,but have been using it mainly for Jazz.
Body Length-48
Upper-22.2
Center-15
Lower-28.3
String Length-43---
Ribs,Lower(including plates)-9
$39.999

PM,for more picture requests

Herbie 80's · #2 02-10-2011, 01:34 PM

Whoa... must be a beast!

Provbass1 · #3 02-11-2011, 07:21 AM

Could you put up some more pictures? back, ribs, scroll, f-holes.
Thanks

Jason Sypher · #4 02-11-2011, 08:46 AM

Yeah, more pics...higher res. Nice to see a gamba AP in such nice condition.

Paul Warburton · #5 02-11-2011, 01:52 PM

Shot (full length) of sides, back, scroll from the side and head-on.
Rib-depth measurements @ neck join, C bouts and end-pin.
Please.
EDIT: Maybe larger pics or thumb-nail app.

salcott · #6 02-11-2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

Shot (full length) of sides, back, scroll from the side and head-on.
Rib-depth measurements @ neck join, C bouts and end-pin.
Please.
EDIT: Maybe larger pics or thumb-nail app.

Absolutely-this is the minimum needed to begin evaluating an instrument.

MR PC · #7 02-11-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrhbass

PM,for more picture requests

I think the pictures provided get to the point of what is available.

Jason Sypher · #8 02-12-2011, 07:53 AM

Yeah, the photos do get to the point, I'm with you on that. But buyers and gawkers like to get into the details of a fine instrument. I know I do. Detailed photos can generate interest, conversation and even debate that can raise the level of attention to the instrument and, in the meatime, benefit the whole forum about gamba shaped Prescotts. It looks like a nice bass but the photos are low-res. I can't even tell if the ff's are joined or not. Details help determine the value of the instrument. I mean, I guess we could all PM the poor guy...

salcott · #9 02-12-2011, 08:40 AM

More pix can also tell you if the bass has a pretty top and not much else.

Paul Warburton · #10 02-12-2011, 12:41 PM

Check your PM's, please.

bribass · #11 02-12-2011, 02:09 PM

Here are pics of my Prescott Gamba Model bass c.1810-1829 to compare. Looks to have similar neck block 'humps' on the upper shoulders. My bass is a smaller model than this bass and once had joined ff's that were cut open at some point.
It is the main instrument I make my living with and was once owned by Roberto Valle of Spiro Gyra and also Jazz bassist Lyle Atkinson. I have papers from Barrie Kolstein that say it "is from the shop of Abraham Prescott" as well as opinions in agreement from Arnold Schnitzer and Volkar Nahrmann. Kolstein dates it from 1810. Only having seen these photos of it, Don Carrigan is of the opinion that it is from around 1829. I've owned it since Feb. of '03. When it was at the Kolstein shop the following was the description: Abraham Prescott Bass Violin, Modified 7/8 Size, Gamba Shaped, Flat Back Model, Made in Concord, New Hampshire c. 1810. Top table is a two-piece plate of medium vertical grained spruce Back table is a two-piece plate moderately figured maple Ribs of matching maple to that of the back table Original scroll of slightly figured maple with a maple neck graft of similar character to the scroll. Individual brass tunning gears mounted on brass plates. Varnish is deep reddish brown. Excellent condition Overall body length: 43 in. Width at the upper bout: 20 3/4 in. Width at the center bout: 15 1/4 in. Width at the lower bout: 26 1/4 in. Mensure (string length): 41 7/8 in.

http://www.thetalkbasses.com/

put cursor over Brian Glassman and then click on Prescott Gamba

MR PC · #12 02-12-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

Yeah, the photos do get to the point, I'm with you on that. But buyers and gawkers like to get into the details of a fine instrument. I know I do. Detailed photos can generate interest, conversation and even debate that can raise the level of attention to the instrument and, in the meatime, benefit the whole forum about gamba shaped Prescotts. It looks like a nice bass but the photos are low-res. I can't even tell if the ff's are joined or not. Details help determine the value of the instrument. I mean, I guess we could all PM the poor guy...

I'm a gawker too. And I ain't buyin', but, if I was, I'd be respecting the OP's request for PM.

Provbass1 · #13 02-12-2011, 02:34 PM

Thanks for the e-mail
these are nicer(But no scroll/pegbox!)

I can't tell whether the f-holes are still joined, though.

It sure looks like a Prescott! The hump, outline, back, end of scroll, f-ho;es, all look like they should.
Thanks for sharing-- I have used Flickr or photobucket, or even FAcebook to post pictures- Might make it easier?
EP

Jason Sypher · #14 02-12-2011, 03:05 PM

Bribass, I remember that bass, it's a great instrument. Interesting back, I didn't know Prescott put the angle in the back like that. Apparently the button was an add-on later.
Heavy bass if I remember correctly?

Paul Warburton · #15 02-12-2011, 04:23 PM

Thanks for the pics. I appreciate your time but your pics are unclear and you have chosen not to include the rib measurements which is a big issue for me. The back does not look original to me.
If the individual who's an admitted "gawker" and "ain't buyin" has little else to do with his time than annoy serious bass inquirerers I suggest that you limit your annoyances to the Forums where you get more attention.

MR PC · #16 02-12-2011, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

But buyers and gawkers like to get into the details of a fine instrument.

Is this bass for sale over at Ken Smith's's forum? If not, I think it would be a good place to showcase it as well, Ken's knowledge about all things Prescott. and all.

bribass · #17 02-13-2011, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

Bribass, I remember that bass, it's a great instrument. Interesting back, I didn't know Prescott put the angle in the back like that. Apparently the button was an add-on later.
Heavy bass if I remember correctly?

Jason, Yes, yes & yes. Where did you see it? At Kolstein's back then?

Jason Sypher · #18 02-13-2011, 05:56 AM

I saw it at Kolsteins. It was the first Prescott I ever saw. I remember it's sound which was a bit confusing to me since I never really heard a complex tone and only really related to loudness. It was chocolatey and smooth. If I remember it was also priced quite low by today's standards....?

bribass · #19 02-14-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

I saw it at Kolsteins. It was the first Prescott I ever saw. I remember it's sound which was a bit confusing to me since I never really heard a complex tone and only really related to loudness. It was chocolatey and smooth. If I remember it was also priced quite low by today's standards....?

Lol, it is quite chocolaty and I did get a good deal on it. For arco it held its own w/ the Italians and for piz it slayed everything else in the shop.

Jason Sypher · #20 02-15-2011, 02:45 PM

Well, I guess we have a lot of information on BriBass's Prescott in case he wants to sell it some day....