Double Bass Bobby Downs Bass

[Tunk]

I have recently purchased a bass made in Franklin NC by the late Bobby Downs. He also made mandolins. I am very interested to find out if there are other owners on this forum. The bass is poplar top and back, plywood sides and a maple and cherry neck with a cherry fingerboard. I am told Mr. Downs made 8 of these basses. This one was owned at one time by George Chestnut who did instrument repair in Nashville TN (was the Opry repairman?)
I have included photos of the front and back of the bass.

 

[Jason Sypher]

Interesting bass...more pics?

 

[nicechuckh]

Beautiful instrument

 

[maveriten]

Sadly, George Chestnut is no longer with us. That would have been a great place to start...

 

[PRUNEFACE]

that is one interesting and cool bass. how would you describe its sound? clips?

 

[Ed Fuqua]

James Condino is another luthier who builds basses in addition to mandolins, he's over in Asheville and I would be very surprised if he didn't have some information about Mr. Downs and perhaps his basses...

 

[Tunk]

Yes, I will try Mr. Condino and see if he has any information.

 

[Tunk]

Thanks, it is a cool instrument. I am having it set up for me and will try to post some more photos and a few sound clips when I get comfortable with it. It has pretty even volume across the strings, clean and punchy, no real growl. It needs to be played pretty bad but the sound post and bridge fit are superb and I believe done by Mr. Chestnut. More as I can.

 

[guitarvibes01]

Bobby Downs a great luthier known by many musicians! His grandson and a great bassist Jacob Parish has an excellent bass built by the late great Bobby Downs! I believe there were around 14 or 15 built. Bobby did remarkable work and won't be forgotten..

 

[crlex]

I bought and still own what I believe is the 2nd one he made. I love it.

 

[Greg Mead]

I have recently purchased a bass made in Franklin NC by the late Bobby Downs. He also made mandolins. I am very interested to find out if there are other owners on this forum. The bass is poplar top and back, plywood sides and a maple and cherry neck with a cherry fingerboard. I am told Mr. Downs made 8 of these basses. This one was owned at one time by George Chestnut who did instrument repair in Nashville TN (was the Opry repairman?)
I have included photos of the front and back of the bass.

Hello, Would you be so kind as to post some pictures of your bass? I can not seem to find them. I just joined this group. Bobby was my friend. He built my mandolin. He considered this particular instrument his "masterpiece". Well, he built a bass at the same time, with wood we got from Mr. Gipson over in Georgia. The mandolin top was carved from old growth Hemlock. He made both necks three piece, like his granddad taught him. The necks are never going to twist. He carved the top and the back of that bass. The bridge,

neck stripe and fretboard were Cherry. He finished both instruments in his personal take on "Cremona". The Les Paul crowd would consider this an "Iced Tea" finish. Bobby was a good friend, who happened to be a world class luthier. He and his wife were very nice folks. I miss them both so much.

 

[Tunk]

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Hello, Would you be so kind as to post some pictures of your bass? I can not seem to find them. I just joined this group. Bobby was my friend. He built my mandolin. He considered this particular instrument his "masterpiece". Well, he built a bass at the same time, with wood we got from Mr. Gipson over in Georgia. The mandolin top was carved from old growth Hemlock. He made both necks three piece, like his granddad taught him. The necks are never going to twist. He carved the top and the back of that bass. The bridge, View attachment 613445 View attachment 613447 View attachment 613445 View attachment 613447 neck stripe and fretboard were Cherry. He finished both instruments in his personal take on "Cremona". The Les Paul crowd would consider this an "Iced Tea" finish. Bobby was a good friend, who happened to be a world class luthier. He and his wife were very nice folks. I miss them both so much.

Mr. Mead,
Here are some photos of my Downs bass. Sorry for the long delay, I wasn't notified that there was a response on the forum.

 

[crlex]

Mr. Mead,
Here are some photos of my Downs bass. Sorry for the long delay, I wasn't notified that there was a response on the forum.

Mine looks just like that. I may be considering selling it if someone is interested. I am in Athens GA.

 

[MTN.bass72]

@crlex ... I may be interested. I'll PM you