• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Tom Kelischek

#9
"I tip my hat to Tom" -Arnold Schnitzer 6/13/2004 T.#131491
ThomasKelischek92front.jpg

ThomasKelischek92Scroll.gif
 
#10
We were just talking about this great bass on the "Good ISB stuff" thread.
Ed's link is over a year old. I wonder how Tom is now.
I have the ISB issue with some close up shots of the details. The work is extremely fine.
I played the bass at a symposium here. Great sounding.
 
#11
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Tom maybe 20 years ago. A friend and I were at a local fiddle shop and Tom came by with a new copy of a Baroque-period bass.

This one was going to some museum, I think in Chicago. I know my terminology isn't correct but this bass had the gut ties, or frets, if you will, installed across the fingerboard.

The main thing I remember is that he trusted a 20 something year old to try and play bluegrass on a museum piece. I didn't know the significance of his generosity with this act, at the time. I had never met the man prior to this chance meeting.

A very pleasant and down to earth fellow.
 
#12
The shape of Tom's bass was rolling around in my head the day I designed my Ergonomic model. Losing the lower corners was liberating. Recently Tom's son contacted me looking for the owner of his Dad's bass and I referred him here to TB. I wish I'd met Tom at the height of his luthiery skills...
 
#13
Arnold,

Let me tell you it was amazing. I was just a kid in high school when Tom was the man around here. I live less about an hour south of Asheville, NC. The set up work that he did was nothing short of amazing and the bridges were works of art.

We miss his skills greatly in this area. He is in a wheelchair and can't work anymore. The TK 92 was the last thing he built. I have seen him out and about at some Asheville Symphony concerts, but I didn't really play with them last season.

It was a shame that he was struck down in his height of creativity and artistry. He was truly a master of his craft and he is sorely missed.

BG
 
#15
I've yet to meet Tom, but since I've been in Asheville, I've heard his name mentioned by 100s of players. Even though he's been out of the scene for a while, his work is very well respected and still talked about around here. Folks have told me that he had a shop below the street level that was called The Bass-ment. The next time any of you who knew him make it up this way, stop by and get me and we'll go pay him a visit. Even if he's not in very good shape, I'd still wager that he'd like some company and enjoy a bit of bass nerdiness.

j.
www.condino.com
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back