Lott 'making' his own machines and 'having them made' as in subcontracting are two different things. Regardless of all he (Tom Martin) has played, I have my own beliefs and ideas. No one I know is with out fault or mistake in the old bass ID game, no one!

Study if you can the Life of the 'English Born' John Lott (b.1775-76 and christened in 1776 in London, a year after his parents were married in that same church) and see what you come up with on where and who he worked for. The ability to make Gears is not something you do in a wood-type shop. You just don't go make a set here and there!

His father was John Lott as well, NOT a violin maker and MAY have been from Germany so the whole Lott is German thing is totally false unless we are talking blood line! This was discovered on or about 1998 and printed in the book 'The British Violin' from the convention of that year.

a point I remember Tony made at the end of the auction was that he would have to pay at least x2 the hammer price to other bidders he had payed off not to bid on this bass.. funny old game... but I guess if if puts this bass up for sale in his shop for £80k and above he will be in profit.

I would imagine, Jim, that Tony will want a lot more than £80,000 for it. The last time I spoke to him was about a year ago, and he was looking for over £100,000 for most of his nicest basses. As for machine making Ken, Baker made both basses and machines so it can be done I guess.

the bass looks like a kennedy to me. :rolleyes: