For sale:
Double Bass by Auguste Bernardel, made in Paris, 1839.
This instrument has been in California for about a century. The previous owner left it in a basement in Pasadena, unplayed, for 50 years before their family sold it. I’ve owned the bass since 1997.
The bass is 7/8ths size, as is the case for most basses by this maker. However, the neck on the bass was replaced with a much shorter one, long before its 50-year hibernation. Because of the shorter neck the string length is only 1019 mm. (40.125 inches). Even with the short neck, the thumb stop is a normal D-neck, and access to high thumb position is excellent in spite of the nearly violin-shaped shoulders.
A complete restoration was done by Pat McCarthy over a decade ago, including a very small post patch, new bass bar, all inside cleats redone, back center seam reinforced, cheek grafts on the peg box, and neck reset to a modern angle and standoff. Pat also did the multi-capo C extension, a wrap-around design with no drilling into the original scroll, so it can be removed without any visible scar. The red-amber varnish is original, and in outstanding condition for a 180-year-old instrument. The tuners are also original, with worm gears of cast iron.
This instrument has superior tonal qualities and ease of play. The bottom end is very powerful, with ample cushion. The top and middle registers are even, clear and brilliant, the equal of any French bass in the market. This is as fine a French orchestral instrument as you will find, and for those looking for short string lengths, this is probably as good a bass as is available anywhere. Italian instruments of this quality sell for twice as much.
More photos at Bernardel - Google Drive
Serious inquiries only please.
Tom Derthick
Double Bass by Auguste Bernardel, made in Paris, 1839.
This instrument has been in California for about a century. The previous owner left it in a basement in Pasadena, unplayed, for 50 years before their family sold it. I’ve owned the bass since 1997.
The bass is 7/8ths size, as is the case for most basses by this maker. However, the neck on the bass was replaced with a much shorter one, long before its 50-year hibernation. Because of the shorter neck the string length is only 1019 mm. (40.125 inches). Even with the short neck, the thumb stop is a normal D-neck, and access to high thumb position is excellent in spite of the nearly violin-shaped shoulders.
A complete restoration was done by Pat McCarthy over a decade ago, including a very small post patch, new bass bar, all inside cleats redone, back center seam reinforced, cheek grafts on the peg box, and neck reset to a modern angle and standoff. Pat also did the multi-capo C extension, a wrap-around design with no drilling into the original scroll, so it can be removed without any visible scar. The red-amber varnish is original, and in outstanding condition for a 180-year-old instrument. The tuners are also original, with worm gears of cast iron.
This instrument has superior tonal qualities and ease of play. The bottom end is very powerful, with ample cushion. The top and middle registers are even, clear and brilliant, the equal of any French bass in the market. This is as fine a French orchestral instrument as you will find, and for those looking for short string lengths, this is probably as good a bass as is available anywhere. Italian instruments of this quality sell for twice as much.
More photos at Bernardel - Google Drive
Serious inquiries only please.
Tom Derthick
