Double Bass Charlie Haden's Vuillaume

[Don Hergert]

... will ensure that nobody ever gets to own this bass... ...

... which may be the whole point. It could be a decision made by the store, or it could be a decision made by the consignees.

I've seen tributes made of historically important instruments pretty frequently. I could name off half a dozen historically important instruments that are literally "locked up" currently. The difference with Robertson's and the Haden Vuillaume, is that you -- or even I -- can actually go and play this instrument, respectfully, today, which personally I consider a pretty nice thing really.

 

[Don Kasper]

It could be a decision made by the store, or it could be a decision made by the consignees.

It's a horrible decision.
Just my $0.03... sorry - my 50,000,000 cents.
Thanks.

 

[LouisF]

Not Haden's Pollman, but.... and indication:

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[Sam Sherry]

Access to the highest quality instruments is necessary to reach the highest levels of expression in art. . . . Don’t flame me now, it’s just my opinion . . .

Jason, I see where you're coming from, but the ultimate proof to the contrary stands only ten feet away from Mr. Haden.

Ornette Coleman. Plastic marching-band alto. "Lonely Woman."

I agree with the sentiment here, I especially agree that any great bassist who develops anything with detail and complexity (in this case the detail and complexity of just a few notes) does so in co-operation with an instrument with character. Anything I can get out of my travel bass has to to with decades of work with my old bass.
It is reasonable to despair about the high prices of instruments like this, but, there are quality instruments to be had at amazing prices as well.

So nicely said!

 

[statsc]

It's a horrible decision.
Just my $0.03... sorry - my 50,000,000 cents.
Thanks.

Well, another way to look at it, as @dhergert has mentioned, is that by pricing it this high it may keep it from being “locked up” by an individual or an institution so that it remains accessible for anyone to walk in off the street and stand in Charlie Haden’s shoes for a few minutes, as I did!

 

[rickwolff]

It's a horrible decision.
Just my $0.03... sorry - my 50,000,000 cents.
Thanks.

Hey Buddy, can you lend me a dime?

 

[rickwolff]

Not Haden's Pollman, but.... and indication:

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I wonder how long it would take my wife to notice the 20K hit to our HELOC.

 

[Don Hergert]

Well, isn't that what it's for, as long as you get either a 5-string or an extension: HELLO C!!!

 

[Ed Fuqua]

How much did Dave Grossman pay for his Panormo, and what was that, more than 20 years ago? It was high enough that he was given a loan by the NY Phil to procure it.

 

[bassmanbrent]

How much did Dave Grossman pay for his Panormo, and what was that, more than 20 years ago? It was high enough that he was given a loan by the NY Phil to procure it.

Really great basses are not cheap, no question. That said, I think a Panormo (Vincenzo) would typically sell for a lot more than a Vuillaume, assuming they're in similar condition etc. CH's bass is glorious in looks and sound, for sure, but to me, the asking price is way too high for what the bass is, if I can be blunt. Again, I mean absolutely no disrespect to Charlie Haden or his legacy. Or Ed Fuqua

 

[Jason Sypher]

It is very kind of Robertson’s to let players play the instrument. I remember playing some Laborie basses there that were absolutely stunning. They are great folks. It’s a hard line to walk, dealing with very expensive instruments while keeping your understanding of the average musician on the street.

 

[asaerdna]

Check out Charlie talking about this bass at length on the new release "Live At The Jazz Record Mart".

 

[Brian DeJesus]

 

[jmpiwonka]

Yeah i bought that record without even giving a listen first.
Turns out… It’s a cool recording.

 

[Brian DeJesus]

Also, someone bought the Vuillaume.

Bass Archives (List) | Robertson and Sons Violin Shop

www.robertsonviolins.com

 

[Clyde Stats]

Also, someone bought the Vuillaume.

Bass Archives (List) | Robertson and Sons Violin Shop

www.robertsonviolins.com

Sorry to hear that; there goes the access!

 

[Ric Vice]

I’ve often wondered about where famous bassists basses ended up after they passed on. Windell Marshall (a cousin of Jimmy Blanton’s )
had Jimmy’s bass here in St. Louis. Paul Chambers’s Bass resided with the family for a time,.Ray Brown had three basses one went to John Clayton and by good fortune survived the L.A. fires. I believe Matt Garrison has JG’s bass. Charlie’s Vuillaume ‘’dis appeared” for a time and was then recovered. I believe Mingus’s grandson has Charlie M’s bass. There is speculation that Hayden’s bass is not an actual Vuillaume as there were only two in existence. Regardless, I heard that bass live at a Quartet West concert here in St.Louis. It was astounding, astonishing and exquisite.

 

[bassmanbrent]

Ray Brown had three basses one went to John Clayton and by good fortune survived the L.A. fires.

Whew! This is great news. I had heard that the bass was lost along with the house and all it's contents.

There is speculation that Hayden’s bass is not an actual Vuillaume as there were only two in existence.

Interesting! I'm curious to know where this info comes from, only because I hadn't heard it before. I think even if it turns out to not be a Vuillaume, it's still a French bass made at the highest level of luthiery that was formerly owned by Charlie Haden so will still be worth stupid money.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I just chanced on Charlie’s record Heartplay. It might be the best sounding recording in his entire catalog. Check it out with your best headphones.

 

[tje111]

Ray Brown had three basses one went to John Clayton and by good fortune survived the L.A. fires.

It didn't.

On January 10, 2025 John Clayton's Altadena home burned in the Eaton Canyon fire and with it, that bass (Mr. Brown's Pierre Silvestre bass). Not only that, but John's own workhorse bass of 50 years (Count Basie, Amsterdam Philharmonic, Diana Krall, Monty Alexander...) and all of his manuscripts, photos, recordings, mementoes, even his 2007 Grammy for his arrangement of Gonna Live Till I Die for Queen Latifah.

See Double Bass - R.I.P. Ray Brown's Silvestre

Of the other two instruments Ray Brown owned when he passed, Christian McBride has one, and the Smithsonian has the other. Perhaps his most famous instrument (large, with the "holey" tuning pegs) is owned by David Longenecker of the Toronto Symphony. See Double Bass - Ray Brown's bass