Possible Baker bass
Hi, Sorry I haven't had a chance to generally introduce myself, but I am a luthier ( one of the Brotherhood of loosely associated bass luthiers of America)
who recently acquired an interesting American bass, which is missing its original top. There is an inscription on the back "Calvin Baker 1885"
The outline of the bass is similar to a Baker, but it lacks the distinctive work at the button, and the machine heads are obviously German commercial of the period, and the pegbox was built to follow the plates of those machines.
Baker's shop looks to have been a busy place in this time period judging by the large # of violins that have auction results, so I assume they may have employed a number of craftsman.
Anyway, I am seeking more info on, and photos of known Baker basses.
I acquired this bass in part because I am "warming up" for my first bass build after years of restoration work on basses and having made a number of violins under Karl Roy, etc. and was looking to make a top as a way of gearing up.
I am particularly hoping someone can get me photos of, or a tracing of Baker's F hole pattern if this turns out to be a Baker.
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