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Double Bass Luthier passes away

bejoyous

bejoyous

Oct 23, 2005
1,206
51
London, Ontario
#1
Musicians and luthiers around the world who own a Peter Chandler instrument or his book, "So, You Want to Build a Bass," should know Peter died suddenly of a heart attack on Friday, January 2007.

There will be a memorial service in February. Details will be on his website Link Removed in the near future.
 
#3
Friday evening-- his wife's 79th birthday. He had a customer in his home, checking out a cello he had just completed. I was on the phone with him, confirming a dimension of which I was unsure. Peter was being his usual cheerful, helpful self-- he had assured me I was OK, and could press on, then was telling me about his extended family on Vancouver Island, and the fellow from whom he got his wood. He hesitated, then announced, "I'm having a heart-attack!" and was gone.

I'm going to miss him, though I also had only met him by phone.

Chet Bishop
 
#5
He told me he had made about 40 cellos, and right around 60 basses. His wife later informed me that this was all in the last 16 years, or so. Before that he made violins for several years. This was his passion and joy--and it showed in his productivity, which I really admire.
 
#7
A couple years ago I played a bass made by him. The guy who owned said it was Chandler's first bass. It had some setup issues but it sounded great.

I haven't abandoned my build-a-bass dream. When the time comes to make it real, I'm sure my copy of his book is gonna get even more dog-eared than it is now. I hope my first bass sounds as good as Mr. Chandler's.

Made his mark indeed.
 
#11
I'm so sorry to hear that. Just like Peter to keep working right up to the end - there's something weirdly beautiful about that.

Peter was such a lovely, improbable character - Celia told me once that he built an airplane when he was younger, and it's still flying.

He was a genuinely warm, generous guy, and without him a lot of young, broke musicians wouldn't have basses. I'll miss him.
 
#13
Very sad news.

I only had communication with him via his grand-daughter, but he was very helpful. And without his book, I never would have had the guts to start building my bass, let alone the knowhow ...

Peter said he'd never write another book - but he talked about his next edition ... lets hope someone completes it!
 
#14
I agree with everyone here, Peter was an important person in the canadian bass-world. He filled a need in a certain price range that other makers could not fill.

I bought my Chandler last year as a "temporary solution" and I opted for the detachable neck because "what the heck". A year later I don't see a need to upgrade the bass, and the detachable neck has been extremely useful.

He made the bass just the way I wanted it. I just told him what needed to be done and he simply delivered. On top of that you got a nice conversation with him and his lovely wife Sybil who is a fantastic hostess.

We will miss you Peter !
 
#15
Peter often donated instruments to young musicians and in support of local music. There are some players' comments here:

Invalid Link Removed

There is a Memorial scheduled in Peter's honour on
Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 2:30pm
at the Caradoc Community Centre
116 Lions Park Drive, Mt. Brydges, Ontario
 
#17
From Link Removed web page:

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in his memory are asked to consider the London Youth Symphony to be used as bursaries for double bass students.
Click to expand...

Because Mr. Chandler lived in Ilderton, Ontario and that is just outside of London, Ontario, I assume it's the London Ontario Youth Symphony.
London Youth Symphony
P. O. Box 553, Station B
London, ON Canada
N6A 4W8
 
#18
Thanks to you all for your kind words about my father. He would have loved knowing that he'd had an impact in the bass community. Bass-making (and for us lesser cellists, cello-making) was truly his passion for the last 10 years. He got such a kick out of getting calls and emails from bass-players and bass-makers all over the world. He proudly kept a map in the bass-ment with pins marking the sales around the world.

I spent the last few days at my mother's place and started compiling a list of all the instruments he made. The records in the early years of his making especially were a bit spotty so I'd love your help. If you have or know of a Chandler instrument, please help me out by providing:

date made
instrument #
bass #
who you are
where you live
where you play

You can post your response to this forum or email me directly at [email protected].

I'd love to have this info by Friday, so I can have an accurate list for the memorial to be held on Sunday.

FYI, dad made 70 basses and 185 instruments in total over the last 25 years.

Thank you again for your tributes. As we grieve as a family, we are comforted knowing that his life had such an impact on others.
 

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