The Great English Double Basses

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by carlopetro

From this thread and the one you started on TB Ken I am noticing that English basses seem to have stamp on the back button. Is this a common trait for English basses? (City Year)

I also see you mention 'Linings', what exactly is a 'Lining'?

thx

Well, this is quite common on English Basses and Violins as well made by them but not all makers used a stamp. I have also seen this on some Italian Basses but is quite rare in comparison. You also find quite a bit of Pencil writing inside the Basses from both Repairmen and Makers as well. I even see hand engraving/scoring both on the inside of the Basses and the outside as well if they fell like it.

Here's a few examples of markings on some English Basses. Please feel free to ask questions about any of the Basses shown here;

[carlopetro]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Here's a few examples of markings on some English Basses. Please feel free to ask questions about any of the Basses shown here;

Is that a Crown? (English -> Monarchy -> Crown) Having a stamp sure makes it easier to ID those basses eh?

The insert in the back button of the Hart is sure a classy touch!

I noticed a stamp of 'Birmingham' on one of the posts on TB. None of your bass's stamps bear the location but rather the maker. - Intertesting - I wonder why some would rather mark the location rather than the maker???? Did England have certain areas that where known for instrument making simalir to say Mirecourt in France.

I also wonder if English makers where concerned with a better way of identifying their instruments than paper labels that could be removed? I have seen books with collections of photos of Violin labels, I wonder if anyone has ever catalogued English stamp?

Mystery????

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by carlopetro

Is that a Crown? (English -> Monarchy -> Crown) Having a stamp sure makes it easier to ID those basses eh?

The insert in the back button of the Hart is sure a classy touch!

I noticed a stamp of 'Birmingham' on one of the posts on TB. None of your bass's stamps bear the location but rather the maker. - Intertesting - I wonder why some would rather mark the location rather than the maker???? Did England have certain areas that where known for instrument making simalir to say Mirecourt in France.

I also wonder if English makers where concerned with a better way of identifying their instruments than paper labels that could be removed? I have seen books with collections of photos of Violin labels, I wonder if anyone has ever catalogued English stamp?

Mystery????

On the Birmingham it is actually 2 lines that says (top) T.DAVIES - (bottom) Birmingham and stamped on either side, 18----98;

On the Hart, what ever was there originally was lost years ago so we made the new 'Coin' to mark the Bass and fill the empty hole.

On the Dodd (Crown?), the first Bass shown, I have no idea what that says in the upper Back. The two diamond shaped patches in the neck button were a from repair done ages ago.

Also, on my Gilkes is has the location as well as the name stamped by the bottom Block on the Ribs;

When stamped, the names are usually shown but on occasion the place might be under it but never without the name unless it's worn away or missing from a repair.

[Ken Smith]

Amongst the Great English Basses, I am compelled to add this one to the list, aka 'The Mystery Bass'.

Just about everyone now (not all) have either said it's English or 'agreed' it's English. The difference between 'said' and 'agreed' is "THAT'S an English Bass!"(said) or "Yes, I agree, it looks English"(agreed). The Mystery as far as Origin, has come to a close. Period wise, I am still not 100% sure but I think we are close. Maker wise, your guess is as good as mine for the moment.

As far as using the word 'Great' next to this Bass, it comes only with comparisons of other Basses that are agreed as being 'great' sounding.
I place this Bass sound-wise between my former Dodd and my attributed Storioni which is currently in restoration. It sounds at least as good if not better than the Dodd and not quite as sweet as the Storioni. That opinion comes only a few days after it was strung up for the first time in at least 30-50 years if not more. From looking at the Bridge that came with the Bass as well as the size and shape of the BassBar, this Bass has never seen a steel string before as the Bridge was cut for Gut.

Add this Bass to the Gallery of the Greats.. please!

[Ken Smith]

A beautiful and rare English Bass just showed up on the market. My first thoughts were that it reminded me of the attributed Dodd I had a few years back which we never really confirmed its identity. The following morning after this new find was posted Anthony Houska of the Contrabass Shoppe emailed me to tell me just about the same thing. This new find by George Craske is of similar work to my attr. Dodd. Not exact but close enough in my opinion to warrant mentioning it. Mr. Houska is quite certain that my old bass was by Craske as well.

Here is the Craske;


Here is the link to the former attributed Dodd it resembles.

Craske reportedly made only about 20 double basses and is also listed as an out-worker or supplier to Dodd. We were never able to make out the Stamp on the Back as one shop thought it said 'Betts' but it clearly didn't match the other stamps of Betts. Maybe the stamp is from Craske, I don't know.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Interesting. I see at least as many differences as similarities. In my opinion, it is not possible to accurately attribute a bass via internet-posted pictures. You really have to see it in person to absorb the maker's influence and inspect clues like the linings, edge work, etc. I looked at the posting on CS's website--wow, talk about long-winded!

[Ken Smith]

Speaking of English, who do we really think made this Bass?


When you see a classic d'Salo/Maggini B.S. Fendt, it becomes a bit obvious what it is. Most all other English basses are hard to identify, at lease in my opinion.

(Fendt pics courtesy AES.. Thank's Arnold)