History of the American Bass

[Ken Smith]

Bates listing!

Ok, here is what I have from the Wenberg Book of American Violin & Bow makers;

"Bates, A.B. & Co.; Fairfield, ME. Makers of double basses. Operated there c. 1843. Used cedar for the top plates."

With the location and period listed we can only assume he was influenced by Prescott. There were many workers over the years in both the Deerfield and Concord shops so we cannot rule out his possible employment or training at an earlier time. Keeping an open mind and considering the close proximity, we can consider Bates as a Prescott 'School' Bass maker. Photos pending of course.. Just to keep it honest..lol

There are a few Prescott features that would be good to date if possible. Rabbit joint/inlaid Ribs into the top and back, Blockless, No Linings, Busetto, 3/4 and large 7/8 Gambas, X-brace (not exclusively), FFs, Cello models, etc..

These features appear on various Prescott Basses. The features you see on almost all but the first few are Wide FFs attached to the Top, Flat Back, the unique long Scroll with inlaid brass plates, and 3-string. The rare early ones are huge 7/8 or small 4/4 Cello form with thin long sweeping FF holes like his Church Basses and a carved Round Back.

[Ken Smith]

Dates & Prices..
Prescott prices for the first 15 Basses from 1809 thru 1819 were $10.- $17. Who knows why the difference in Price! These must have been Church Basses and #11 of the first 15 was sold in 1818 and again in 1820. So it seems that he also took trade-ins on his own Church Basses. #3 of 1811 was bought back and sold again in 1824 for $17. the first time and $18. the second time. While the lower priced sales were under $20. The first one (Double Bass?) at $23., #16 was made and sold in April of 1820. Was this the first DoubleBass? Also, it was sold to 'Smith Batchelder'! What? I am Smith and I own a Batchelder Bass. Is this Fate or the 'TwiLight Zone'. This MUST be my calling. When MY Prescott is finished in restoration, FATE tells me I am done buying and playing other Basses. Seeing **Smith Batchelder in his record books sends CHILLS up my Spine!

** A Batchelder bass now owned by me, Ken Smith; http://www.kensmithbasses.com/double...der/index.html

In June of 1820 #18 is sold for $28. while $14. and $16. instruments are still being sold presumeably Church Basses. #55 was made march 1825 and sold in July for $50. It was bought back in october and sold for $52. He first wrote $50 and changed the '0' to a '2' as if he forgot to make a profit... The first buyer bought another Bass in Oct 1825 as well and he paid $57.50 this time. I guess he used the first Bass trade-in to pay for most and only made up the difference after Prescott sold his Bass.

My Prescott was cut down possible by Prescott because of the construction b4 the cut and at the re-build both times having the Ribs set in channels in the Top and Back. I am sure he cut down several of his Basses and helped owners trade up or dispose of Basses as needed.

In the 147 instruments made thru early 1829, there are records of 6 being bought back and sold again, #s 3,11,23, 28, 50 (sold first to the name Dearborn), and 55. The ones with lower prices I assume to be Church Basses.

Well, we need to see a 'confirmed' Tewkesbury. I mentioned Ira and Asa White and have seen a small 5/8 size Bass by them in NY. Benjamin Willard is reported to have trained Prescott but haven't seen his Double Basses but did see one I suspect. Baker of Boston I think was spotted somewhere.. and I am sure if I sit down with my American Violin Makers book, I can dig up a few more names BUT, seeing is believing.. and much much more fun..

[Ken Smith]

More Yanks..
I don't remember if these were posted before but I consider these important. Some are pre-Prescott Church Basses. Also, one of Prescotts Earliest Basses looks much cruder than we are used to seeing. I think this makes some Basses we know of difficult to date.

Benjamin Crehore (1765-1831); http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=21
http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=21
http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=21
http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=21

Benjamin Whittemore Willard,(1762–1848) reported to have taught Prescott; http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=21

Other Bass Viols (non-Prescott); http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=31
http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=21

Prescott Viols and DB; http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=31
http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=31
http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=31

When you look at the last one dated 1823 (labeled or estimated, I have no idea?) you wonder about the claims of the other Prescott Basses dated 1818-1823 that are so much more refined. It almost seems impossible for a Bass like this to be made 5 years after the large Busetto posted in the previous post.

By the way, this is where these pics came from; http://www.mfa.org/collections/searc...&coll_start=21

[Ken Smith]

Fig.8/Pattern 'D'.this is figure 8, the 'Wright' Prescott;


As you can see in his Pic as compared to mine, the upper shoulders are on the narrow side. Mine were actually much bigger before the 'Cut' so I would believe mine to be an earlier example by Prescott. The date listed as 1800 is at least 25 years too early as that is NOT the work of an 11 year old boy (Prescott born 1789) as well as that Bass looking very well developed into his style as sizing especially with the smaller trimmed/evolved upper bouts. Also, my lower bouts are 28.5" wide, uncut as the bottom is original;

[Ken Smith]

This is why I mentioned that my model is not listed in the A-D list.

Maybe mine was the 'E' model and made before he bothered with the Busetto which does have the later and lighter varnish on all that I have seen.

More here on Don Carrigan’s Prescott page; http://home.earthlink.net/~prescottviol/data/

[Jeff Bollbach]

Great job, Ken. A thought occurred to me-I remember that David Bromberg had a keen interest in Yankee instruments. Was wondering if you had ever crossed paths with him in that regard?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Jeff Bollbach

Great job, Ken. A thought occurred to me-I remember that David Bromberg had a keen interest in Yankee instruments. Was wondering if you had ever crossed paths with him in that regard?

The Banjo guy? No, never met him. All I have to offer at the moment is the Batchelder Bass but enjoy talking about it.

On another note, over at TB, they have this thread about a restored Prescott by Lou DiLeone. It is NOT in no way a Prescott and either is Jason's Bass that he says looks like Lou's.
Everything in a Violin made near Cremona is a Strad..NOT..
Every old Bass from Milano is a Testore..NOT..
Every 19th century Bass from New England is a Prescott..NOT..

What is so hard about that. Even dealers can't get that straight. It's a shame when you look at it. There were many good Yankee Bass makers from the 19th century and we know that now. Why still is everything a Prescott?

[Ken McKay]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Fig.8/Pattern 'D'.this is figure 8, the 'Wright' Prescott;


As you can see in his Pic as compared to mine, the upper shoulders are on the narrow side. Mine were actually much bigger before the 'Cut' so I would believe mine to be an earlier example by Prescott. The date listed as 1800 is at least 25 years too early as that is NOT the work of an 11 year old boy (Prescott born 1789) as well as that Bass looking very well developed into his style as sizing especially with the smaller trimmed/evolved upper bouts. Also, my lower bouts are 28.5" wide, uncut as the bottom is original;

Is this photo of the Wright Prescott in this photo?

[Ken Smith]

Same exact bass. Sold at Auction to a UK dealer and ended up for sale at Robertson's. I don't know who bought it but the 'asking' price was a record high for a Prescott.