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Old 11-09-2015, 09:37 PM
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Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
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Join Date: 01-18-2007
Location: Perkasie, PA
Posts: 4,852
Ken Smith is on a distinguished road
Cool a Bass by Louis Lowendall (1842-1918)

I have a beautiful violin shaped model here now made in 1910. Stamped in the back of the Peg box;
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Lowendall's

Grand
Concert
---.----
(design there)

Stradivarius
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This is a 7/8ths (or 4/4 size of its time), 'BERLIN' stamped in the upper back button. Beautiful reddish brown varnish (the red well faded), 41 7/8" string length with a grafted neck, original scroll and gears with slight scars from a previous mechanical C-Extension. Wide lower bouts (28"), deep ribs (8 5/8") w/outer linings, slightly sloped shoulders and easy to play. Well arched round back tapered in the upper bout towards the neck, ribs are 6 1/4" wide at neck. Well flamed maple throughout with fine-medium grained spruce top. Deep warm tone with good projecting power.

This looks to be the real deal from its period, a professional orchestra bass. For more information on L. Lowendall and his son Louis Jr., read this article from the 1893 exhibit in Chicago.
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