Bass with Lion head scroll. Need help Identifying it

[Stefano Senni]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I would love to ID this bass as well;


There are several other pics of the bass being played by the owner but without permission, I am not comfortable posting his personal likeness as well as the other musicians with him.

It looks like Paul Chambers' bass ;-)

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Stefano Senni

It looks like Paul Chambers' bass ;-)

The bass itself is not like his bass at all. His was darker and more German looking. This one was believed to be English back about 40 years ago. I don't know what they are calling it now. The only similarity I think is that they both have a Lady on the head, Paul's was added, not original I was told and they are both Gamba shaped.

It's been 40-42 years since I played next to it so forgive me for my memory lapse if any.. lol

and with outer linings; ..also. Pauls's Lady is looking a bit downwards. The other bass is looking outwards!

[Stefano Senni]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

The bass itself is not like his bass at all. His was darker and more German looking. This one was believed to be English back about 40 years ago. I don't know what they are calling it now. The only similarity I think is that they both have a Lady on the head, Paul's was added, not original I was told and they are both Gamba shaped.

It's been 40-42 years since I played next to it so forgive me for my memory lapse if any.. lol

and with outer linings; ..also. Pauls's Lady is looking a bit downwards. The other bass is looking outwards!

yes of course, I didn't mean THAT bass to be Paul's one. They just look similar to me, with the lady on top, and both gamba shaped. I'd be surprised to discover the bass you are presenting is a certified English one...just looks like a nice German factory bass (like P.C.'s bass to be honest...)...

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Stefano Senni

yes of course, I didn't mean THAT bass to be Paul's one. They just look similar to me, with the lady on top, and both gamba shaped. I'd be surprised to discover the bass you are presenting is a certified English one...just looks like a nice German factory bass (like P.C.'s bass to be honest...)...

The outer linings on the other bass look to be flush with the ribs. Different than on Paul's bass. It was called English (I think?) 42 years ago when I saw it. I really don't know what it is but regardless, it's a different style bass aside from the gamba shape than Paul's bass is. It could be German or Austrian as well. The gear plates do not fit all that well so I doubt those are the original gears as well. In either case, the are both nice basses.

[Adam Linz]

I had always heard that Chambers took his big German Bass out of the back of a car , supposedly with Doug Watkins who was his cousin, and that the bass belonged to a player in one of the New York symphonies. The player tracked down his bass to Paul at a gig, but after hearing him play decided that he should keep it. Paul was a huge junkie and I guess his bass ended up in the pawn shop too many times. The other rumor is that Paul put that ladyhead on the bass himself. He literally sawed off the top of the scroll and glued her in? Maybe. Anyways Ken do you have any info on the whereabouts of Mr Chambers bass? Seems like such an important part of bass history and also I'm wondering if anyone else has heard these tales or is someone just blowing smoke up my ass? Best, Adam Linz

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Adam Linz

I had always heard that Chambers took his big German Bass out of the back of a car , supposedly with Doug Watkins who was his cousin, and that the bass belonged to a player in one of the New York symphonies. The player tracked down his bass to Paul at a gig, but after hearing him play decided that he should keep it. Paul was a huge junkie and I guess his bass ended up in the pawn shop too many times. The other rumor is that Paul put that ladyhead on the bass himself. He literally sawed off the top of the scroll and glued her in? Maybe. Anyways Ken do you have any info on the whereabouts of Mr Chambers bass? Seems like such an important part of bass history and also I'm wondering if anyone else has heard these tales or is someone just blowing smoke up my ass? Best, Adam Linz

I heard some of that story not long ago but I have no idea if it is true or not. Also, I have no idea where the bass is. Back on those days, this was NOT the level of a bass that was in the Symphonies. They had plenty of Italian basses to go around and some English as well. Anything is possible though.

[Stefano Senni]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

The outer linings on the other bass look to be flush with the ribs. Different than on Paul's bass. It was called English (I think?) 42 years ago when I saw it. I really don't know what it is but regardless, it's a different style bass aside from the gamba shape than Paul's bass is. It could be German or Austrian as well. The gear plates do not fit all that well so I doubt those are the original gears as well. In either case, the are both nice basses.

Funny...It seems this bass was for sale at Lemur's a while ago ... and claimed to be French, I wonder why...the label is surely not enough to say so

http://shelf3d.com/Muqb2GbEXTU#Lemur%20Music%20SOLD%20Claude%20Boivin %20French%20Bass%20"Lady%20Bass"

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Stefano Senni

Funny...It seems this bass was for sale at Lemur's a while ago ... and claimed to be French, I wonder why...the label is surely not enough to say so

http://shelf3d.com/Muqb2GbEXTU#Lemur%20Music%20SOLD%20Claude%20Boivin %20French%20Bass%20"Lady%20Bass"

Stefano, the Bass in that Link is not French. Some of what the shop advertises is incorrect by either date, origin or both. Not uncommon at all. Ignorance is bliss when you are the one collecting the money!

The label in the bass is a new faked copy from a book. The bass is Germanic. The outer linings are 100% German/Saxon in style. The bass is a 19th century instrument. A French bass from the 18th century would have a flat back and if an angle break would be there, it would be a copy of a viol d'gamba. I have seen pics of one small Boivin violone and it had violin corners. This bass is in no way French or from the 18th century as he claims.

[Stefano Senni]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Stefano, the Bass in that Link is not French. Some of what the shop advertises is incorrect by either date, origin or both. Not uncommon at all. Ignorance is bliss when you are the one collecting the money!

The label in the bass is a new faked copy from a book. The bass is Germanic. The outer linings are 100% German/Saxon in style. The bass is a 19th century instrument. A French bass from the 18th century would have a flat back and if an angle break would be there, it would be a copy of a viol d'gamba. I have seen pics of one small Boivin violone and it had violin corners. This bass is in no way French or from the 18th century as he claims.

Ken, I'm with you 100%.