French Basses

[Tom Derthick]

My main axe is an August (Gustave) Bernardel, 1839, original label and papers. Unfortunately, it was damaged by the polar weather conditions we had in NoCal in early January, and is undergoing restoration as I write this. The work is being done by Pat McCarthy in Berkeley, CA.

I have owned the bass since 1997, purchased it from Tom Metzler, a dealer in LA. It had sat unplayed in a Pasadena basement for nearly a half century prior to this, and had not had any major repairs done to it in the 20th century. Classic violin shape, beautiful woodwork, red varnish in mint condition, all original (including scroll) except for an expert neck graft done in the 1800s that shortened the string length to around 1000 mm (around 40"). Due to the neck graft being placed at an extreme angle--very low standoff, scroll way back, very tall bridge--the bass had stupendous projection and an enormous, phat bottom end. Alas, the damage done in January will result in a small post patch (where there was none at all), new bass bar and replacement of the bottom brace on the back.

I have no photos to post at this time, but as soon as the bass is complete (mid summer) I will get some things together, including looks at the inside. This instrument is the best french orchestra bass I have ever personally played on, and much better than 3 other Bernardels I have previously tried. Hopefully once the new bar is broken in it will be the same or better than it was. A colleague of mine, who had played the Bernardel previously owned by Mike Leiter (sold two years ago for around 80K, so I've heard) said that hands down, my instrument sounded better and was in much better condition. I feel very fortunate to have it, and hope that it is what it was or better once the restoration is complete. A very special instrument indeed, and worthy of study as an outstanding model of french bass making.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tom Derthick

My main axe is an August (Gustave) Bernardel, 1839, original label and papers. Unfortunately, it was damaged by the polar weather conditions we had in NoCal in early January, and is undergoing restoration as I write this. The work is being done by Pat McCarthy in Berkeley, CA.

I have owned the bass since 1997, purchased it from Tom Metzler, a dealer in LA. It had sat unplayed in a Pasadena basement for nearly a half century prior to this, and had not had any major repairs done to it in the 20th century. Classic violin shape, beautiful woodwork, red varnish in mint condition, all original (including scroll) except for an expert neck graft done in the 1800s that shortened the string length to around 1000 mm (around 40"). Due to the neck graft being placed at an extreme angle--very low standoff, scroll way back, very tall bridge--the bass had stupendous projection and an enormous, phat bottom end. Alas, the damage done in January will result in a small post patch (where there was none at all), new bass bar and replacement of the bottom brace on the back.

I have no photos to post at this time, but as soon as the bass is complete (mid summer) I will get some things together, including looks at the inside. This instrument is the best french orchestra bass I have ever personally played on, and much better than 3 other Bernardels I have previously tried. Hopefully once the new bar is broken in it will be the same or better than it was. A colleague of mine, who had played the Bernardel previously owned by Mike Leiter (sold two years ago for around 80K, so I've heard) said that hands down, my instrument sounded better and was in much better condition. I feel very fortunate to have it, and hope that it is what it was or better once the restoration is complete. A very special instrument indeed, and worthy of study as an outstanding model of french bass making.

I am sorry but 1839 sounds way too early for Gustave (Gustave August) son of Auguste Sebastian. I had a Bernardel that was appraised as 1859 by Gustave and still was told by others it may be too early for him. I will look up some dates during the week and post the info here. When you do your pics, PLEASE take some good shots of the Label. I think he was born around that time if I recall correctly. Still, I will look it up next week. Maybe your Bass is by Bernardel Pere' (Auguste Sebastian)?

[Tom Derthick]

Yes, it is the father, August, not the son Gustave, who made the bass. Sorry about the confusion. When I have photos of the label and bass I will be sure to post them. Tom Metzler has authenticated the label and instrument. A wonderful example of french bassmaking.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tom Derthick

Yes, it is the father, August, not the son Gustave, who made the bass. Sorry about the confusion. When I have photos of the label and bass I will be sure to post them. Tom Metzler has authenticated the label and instrument. A wonderful example of french bassmaking.

Thanks. That's what I gathered. On Gustave, he assisted his father and did so most likely in 1859 (b.1832, Paris) as my Bass was appraised as, but was a pre-Brenardel-Gand Bass by far (1866 they merged). Mine was most likely made in the fathers shop but somehow attributed to Gustave. That is what the late Sam Kolstein appraised it as. I bought it in 1971 from Ed Maestro in Philly and he just called it a Bernardel and I assumed the Father at that time. It still had its original (and very thick) Neck/Scroll with no graft and seemed to be original as a 4-string. I had the neck Thinned by Maestro so I could play it. It also had the typical Bernardel slightly softer shoulders than those we see or the Claudot, Jacquet and Lamy model Basses with the broad Cello shoulders but had the false Cello button. I have some old pics so maybe I can get them scanned and post them here.

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I have some old pics so maybe I can get them scanned and post them here.

hi ken,
did you find the time to scan the pics yet?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Anselm Hauke

hi ken,
did you find the time to scan the pics yet?

Gotta find em first..lol

Saw them last a few years ago in the house. i didn't think to bring them to work but will hunt them down soon.

[Anselm Hauke]

thank you.

it´s interesting for me to see pics of bernadels because i recently played two and seen pics of others that are for sale, and they all look different.

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Tom Derthick

Yes, it is the father, August, not the son Gustave, who made the bass. Sorry about the confusion. When I have photos of the label and bass I will be sure to post them. Tom Metzler has authenticated the label and instrument. A wonderful example of french bassmaking.

hi tom,

do you have some pictures yet?

[Tom Derthick]

Originally Posted by Anselm Hauke

hi tom,

do you have some pictures yet?

Just got the bass back from Pat McCarthy. Beautiful work. The bass is extraordinarily loud and resonant considering new bar, post patch, etc. Much brighter, lots of punch, more 'french' sounding than it was before--it used to be very dark, resonant with huge 'cushion'--but I suspect as it breaks in it should darken considerably, as it did when I bought it 10 years ago. (Prior to purchase the bass had not been played--other than prospective buyers trying it out--in 50 years.)

I have yet to photograph it since getting it back, but if I can figure it out I will attach some photos of the bass while still apart, taken about two weeks ago.

[Anselm Hauke]

hi tom
thank you!
very interesting pics, especially the signature and the label.
the two bernardels i ve seen had none of this.
i´m curios to see to bass from the outside

[Tom Derthick]

Originally Posted by Anselm Hauke

hi tom
thank you!
very interesting pics, especially the signature and the label.
the two bernardels i ve seen had none of this.
i´m curios to see to bass from the outside

Sorry I am not a very good photographer...these should give you some idea of this instrument. I can't wait to hear what it will sound like in a year!

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Tom Derthick

(Prior to purchase the bass had not been played--other than prospective buyers trying it out--in 50 years.)

this must be a distintive feature from bernadel basses.
the one i saw in paris not long ago (and another one some weeks before) were also not played for many years.