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Double Bass A. Batchelder & Son Bass

#21
Bass said:
The shoulders look jagged and lopside; the f-holes seem uneven, skinny and ragged; the back of the upper bout looks mismatched; the scroll looks off-balance, skinny and lopsided; and, the finish looks like it was done by an amateur working on a cheap piece of furniture.
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absolutly right!:)
but it plays and sounds great!
i played the bass when it was in a shop in germany. about 30 basses there, incl. some mediocre italians, but the batchelder was imho one of the best there
 
#22
Bass said:
C'mon, you guys are pulling my leg. Seriously, you really like the looks of this!? "Beauty" is a matter of opinion I guess: how about posting some photos of your ladyfriends? Ha ha ha.

The shoulders look jagged and lopside; the f-holes seem uneven, skinny and ragged; the back of the upper bout looks mismatched; the scroll looks off-balance, skinny and lopsided; and, the finish looks like it was done by an amateur working on a cheap piece of furniture.
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Surely you've seen more than one old bass in your life. Just about every bass before the 20th century I've seen is "messed up" like that.

Pick up a chisel a handsaw and a violin knife and see how well you do. No computer controlled powertools in the mid 19th cent for that kind of work. We've talked about this very thing in the Prescott thread just a week ago.
 
#25
Bass said:
C'mon, you guys are pulling my leg. Seriously, you really like the looks of this!? "Beauty" is a matter of opinion I guess: how about posting some photos of your ladyfriends? Ha ha ha.

The shoulders look jagged and lopside; the f-holes seem uneven, skinny and ragged; the back of the upper bout looks mismatched; the scroll looks off-balance, skinny and lopsided; and, the finish looks like it was done by an amateur working on a cheap piece of furniture.
=QUOTE]

I can't let this one go. Your comments are truly sad. I know you have NO idea of what you're talking about, so i'll forgive that.
These instruments are part of history. The ghosts of many players from all over our world live deep within these beautiful basses. I'm not talking about this one particular bass. As has been mentioned, some of the most fabulous instruments on our planet look a bit disfigured to eyes like yours. Some of them were listened to by the likes of Beethoven, Bach etc.
I do hope you get the Slapking you're gassin' for in your Profile. You truly deserve it.
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#28
Uncletoad said:
Surely you've seen more than one old bass in your life. Just about every bass before the 20th century I've seen is "messed up" like that.

Pick up a chisel a handsaw and a violin knife and see how well you do. No computer controlled powertools in the mid 19th cent for that kind of work. We've talked about this very thing in the Prescott thread just a week ago.
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I love the character of those old basses. Yes, that one looks just grand to me-- BUT-- being made by hand and the lack of powertools does not necessitate that it be like that. There are many, many, many counterexamples.
 
#29
drurb said:
I love the character of those old basses. Yes, that one looks just grand to me-- BUT-- being made by hand and the lack of powertools does not necessitate that it be like that. There are many, many, many counterexamples.
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Perhaps the pictures don't do it justice. It recall it looking very good to me. Sitting in front of it while it was being played with a bow made me not care if it was made with leftover lumber from a doghouse.

It's got the goods.
 
#30
Paul Wartburnin said:
Blah blah blah...Slapking...
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Now you're talking! Here's one on e-bay right now, notice the symmetrical shoulders, smooth clean lines, and finish fit for a $22,000 hot rod. Beautiful! At $2,000 it's a bargain compared to the Bastelturd.

c7ba_12.jpg


Jake deVilliers said:
Hey BASE, check the mirror! :)
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Good looking guy, eh?

l_bcfecec70c2740d084af82eaf34c7328.png
 
#31
Bass said:
Now you're talking! Here's one on e-bay right now, notice the symmetrical shoulders, smooth clean lines, and finish fit for a $22,000 hot rod. Beautiful! At $2,000 it's a bargain compared to the Bastelturd.
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Apparently you can't tell the difference between that plywood POS and a masterbuilt 150 year old bass.

No problem. You'll live a much cheaper life.
 
#32
Bass said:
Now you're talking! Here's one on e-bay right now, notice the symmetrical shoulders, smooth clean lines, and finish fit for a $22,000 hot rod. Beautiful! At $2,000 it's a bargain compared to the Bastelturd.
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Symmetry and tacky perfect finish does not equate to quality. In fact, it usually equates to a factory-made POS.

When it comes to basses, choosing the shiniest and flashiest one you can find is a horrible decision 9.9999 times out of 10.
 
#33
Bass said:
C'mon, you guys are pulling my leg. Seriously, you really like the looks of this!? "Beauty" is a matter of opinion I guess: how about posting some photos of your ladyfriends? Ha ha ha.

The shoulders look jagged and lopside; the f-holes seem uneven, skinny and ragged; the back of the upper bout looks mismatched; the scroll looks off-balance, skinny and lopsided; and, the finish looks like it was done by an amateur working on a cheap piece of furniture.
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To me, that bass is a lovely, fascinating story book. The life of the maker, his experience, vision, perhaps his hopes for building a superior instrument. The lives of its previous owners. Where it's been. What notes have passed through it. The sheer magic of somebody having the pure gumption to make it, this unique object, the only one like it in the whole world, according to their own vision.

Those who have played it arco say it sounds killingly beautiful. Since you probably don't play with the bow much, that may be less compelling for you...

Again, no accounting for taste...your profile explains your perspective. The pictures you provided also help clarify your orientation. Thanks for sharing those.

I would only add my humble respect and admiration for Ken Smith. I am always amazed by his work on, passion for, and knowledge of instruments of this quality level. Ken, you are truly missed here...
 
#34
Uncletoad said:
Perhaps the pictures don't do it justice. It recall it looking very good to me. Sitting in front of it while it was being played with a bow made me not care if it was made with leftover lumber from a doghouse.

It's got the goods.
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...and I agree that that's what counts! Again, I think all that history and character make it beautiful.
 
#36
One of the first things I do when looking at a bass like this is look inside.That tells it ALL.
We were all lucky enough to see ALL the wonderful luthier beauty inside thanks to Kenny's and Arnolds loving care on this, as well of other FINE basses Ken has rescued to be able to be loved for a couple more hundred years.
Perfection.
 
#37
My daughter went through a phase of dressing like that, but she outgrew it at fourteen.

I like the looks of the Batcellar bass. Human funk and sweat up in there. But that's not why we buy basses, is it! I'd love to get a chance to draw a bow across that thing, or any of Ken's basses, for that matter. Probably ruin me for life.
 
#39
Bass said:
Now you're talking! Here's one on e-bay right now, notice the symmetrical shoulders, smooth clean lines, and finish fit for a $22,000 hot rod. Beautiful! At $2,000 it's a bargain
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Yes, that's a nice bass, especially if you are looking for the right tool for the job. However, I wonder how it will look and sound after being used for that type of work for 100 plus years.
 

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