Double Bass Does anyone recognize this bass?

[tgabe9]

Hi all,

About a year ago I bought this bass - it's a 1781 (or 91 - label is unclear) William Forster II. I've been unsuccessful in getting the shop I bought it from to give me any info about who owned it before me, so I thought I'd post it here to see if anyone recognizes it by any chance. Please let me know. Happy to post more pics if it would help. I'd be grateful for any info anyone might have.

 

[Erik Turkman]

Could you post a few more pictures, especially of the back, ribs, and shoulders?

 

[bassmastan]

Well it looks like a wonderful English instrument! The FF's to me scream Stainer from looking at violins, and it seems tarisio agrees. I think it looks like a really nice bass, how does it sound?

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[tgabe9]

I've attached some more pics, though I should say I'm less interested in its authenticity than in who has played it. Nobody I've run into recognizes it.

As far as the sound goes, it's got a big (loud) round sound but also a clarity that I wasn't expecting from an enormous English instrument. Difficult for me to be more specific.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Man, that old girl's got some stories.

 

[tgabe9]

It had a really old (terrible) extension when I bought it, so I think it's a reasonable assumption that it's been in the US for a while. It also must have been played by someone fairly large in order to successfully navigate the shoulders. Those are the only clues I have as to its history.

 

[calypsocoral302]

Those tuners look pretty "French" to me...

But if that is a Forster, what a find!

 

[tgabe9]

Those tuners look pretty "French" to me...

But if that is a Forster, what a find!

Interesting. They're not original, but I've had a few people tell me I trust that they're genuine Bakers - English indeed. I have no way of confirming that though.

 

[calypsocoral302]

Bakers seem to have been pretty varied, so I'm not surprised. I'm just used to seeing those big, chunky, smooth-surfaced (no visible bolt in the center of the face) gears on French basses. But since you mentioned Baker... yeah, I can kind of see that.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Nah, those are English all the way. French machines aren't as ostentatious.

 

[bejoyous]

Well, you found a real gem. Only 4 were made.

Contrabass UK is selling one and there is a lot of info on their site. Here's the link: http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2795.htm

 

[bassmastan]

Well, you found a real gem. Only 4 were made.

Contrabass UK is selling one and there is a lot of info on their site. Here's the link: http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2795.htm

Well from what I have read, sort of. There are only 4 complete double basses in the ledger, there is a 5th incomplete one, however it is implied by Henly and Rosengaurd that there could be more, and it is very likely due to that huge 9 year gap in the ledger:

1778. Double Bass - The Revd. Mr. Hodgson.
1787. Mr. Gordon, N°. 3 Bass.
1787. Mr. Hunter, Kings Arm Yard, N°. 4 Bass.
1788. Mr. Buckley, Manchester, N°. 5 Bass.
1789. Mr. Cervetto, a new Steiner copied Bass, N°. 1

 

[jallenbass]

Where did you get it?

 

[tgabe9]

Well, you found a real gem. Only 4 were made.

Contrabass UK is selling one and there is a lot of info on their site. Here's the link: http://www.contrabass.co.uk/2795.htm

Well from what I have read, sort of. There are only 4 complete double basses in the ledger, there is a 5th incomplete one, however it is implied by Henly and Rosengaurd that there could be more, and it is very likely due to that huge 9 year gap in the ledger:

1778. Double Bass - The Revd. Mr. Hodgson.
1787. Mr. Gordon, N°. 3 Bass.
1787. Mr. Hunter, Kings Arm Yard, N°. 4 Bass.
1788. Mr. Buckley, Manchester, N°. 5 Bass.
1789. Mr. Cervetto, a new Steiner copied Bass, N°. 1

A bass dealer I'd trust told me that mine is one that Forster made to rent out - there are apparently 6 or 7 like mine. All (most?) have cello shoulders and drawn on purfling (this info is in Simon Forster's book from what he told me). Mine also has a very sloppy scroll. The one at the Contrabass Shoppe looks quite a bit like mine from some angles, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if it is a Forster though I'm no expert. Mine is labelled, so it's reasonably likely that it's genuine but not 100%. There's also one for sale at Biase and Fantoni in NYC though I haven't seen that one, only heard about it.

Where did you get it?

I bought it at Robertson's in Albuquerque.