Xavier Jaquet ?

[Charles Federle]

Using Babelfish I found a quick and dirty translation that should shed some light and have everything make a bit more sense.

Contrebasse Pilement (father) Sells. Wood are estimated of 1640. Entirely restored. Manufactured in the workshop of Guarnerius Del Gesu with its wood at the time of its residence with Cremone. Very Powerful double bass, with a very generous low register and a particular stamp. Splendid mechanics. Cordial varnish.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Charles Federle

Using Babelfish I found a quick and dirty translation that should shed some light and have everything make a bit more sense.

Contrebasse Pilement (father) Sells. Wood are estimated of 1640. Entirely restored. Manufactured in the workshop of Guarnerius Del Gesu with its wood at the time of its residence with Cremone. Very Powerful double bass, with a very generous low register and a particular stamp. Splendid mechanics. Cordial varnish.

That is a tall claim. I doubt that any of the great Cremona makers made any DBs in that period. The Bass looks nice but a Joseph Guarneri? That would be a first I think.

[Charles Federle]

Interesting site though, ran across this

To me this seems very close to my instrument, I think they are calling it a Derazet. Not a maker that I have ever heard of before. Does any know anything about this maker? I have to admit that with French instruments there are so many subtle details that you have to pick out making it rather hard to pin down an instrument by an unknown maker, even it if is a bit odd like mine.

Even this one makes me think of my bass in a way, at least if it had violin corners

[Ken Smith]

I think the spelling is Derazey. There was the father Honore and the son Justin. The father worked independently and for Vuillaume as well as a Bass maker for him.