Lowendahl Basses

[Ken Smith]

25K for a plane-jane Gamba Bohemian style German bass? I don't think even the better looking Violin models have brought that much money.

[Ken Smith]

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.

[Ken Smith]

The Lowendall impressed me so much and in many ways, that I have decided to put it thru a full restoration. I dropped it off at AES in NY last Saturday. It will then likely become my main personal bass. In the mean time (4-6 months), I am using my Pollmann.