"Ode to Sartory"

[Eric Swanson]

What a lovely instrument! That design at the heel reminds me of pictures of the solar system. How many circles are in that oval? Are they in any sort of pattern?

Thanks for sharing this bass, Ken...

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

What a lovely instrument! That design at the heel reminds me of pictures of the solar system. How many circles are in that oval? Are they in any sort of pattern?

Thanks for sharing this bass, Ken...

Which Bass? I think David was referring to this bass which was always called the Mystery Bass originally. The Circles I think you are referring to is the Hart, which started as a mystery of some sort being originally purchased as a Fendt.

This one you mean?


By the way, the Hart is the main bass I play and the Lipkins-Sartory is its mate!

If this is the 'circle' thing you are referring to I can explain about the circles. The bass had a hole filled with dried red wax about 1" in diameter. At first I thought it was from a previous neck repair but when the back came off there was no hole on the inside. After the bass came back from restoration I received an email from England about a bass that was a twin to mine that was played for 30 years in a London Symphony but it wasn't my bass. This one had the empty hole as well. To top that off, he knew of 2 others that were the same as well BUT had inlaid emblems in the hold still intact. One was an ebony crucifix and the other a Madonna with a child. These 4 were made with that purfled design around the open circle with a wax head seal in the middle. I had a simple coin made as shown but by the time the hole was fully clean and round it was a little bigger. Jed Kriegel who was Arnold's assistant at the time made an Ebony disc and inlaid the coin in the ebony and the pair in the bass.

[Drake Chan]

I think Eric's referring to the Italian bass owned by the former HK Philharmonic principal bassist.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Drake Chan

I think Eric's referring to the Italian bass owned by the former HK Philharmonic principal bassist.

Yes Drake, you're right. I was mixing up Eric's latest post and David's earlier one from over 2 years ago. I had just come in from Shoveling Snow and was a little dizzy..

I posted that bass HERE on 12/07. It took Eric over two/2 years to reply.. Can you blame me? I have no idea what bass he was talking about as you can see now.. lol

Ok.. back on topic... I love my Lipkins/Sartory. After a 2 hour rehearsal earlier with one Orchestra I'm subbing in for the season I spent most of the evening practicing for next weeks concert with my main Orchestra, Beethoven 3rd. I caught parts of the Super Bowl on-line while having some dinner in the office between practicing... Althought I switch back and forth 'insanely' between the Martini and the Hart (that's another subject alltogether), I always play that Lipkins bow. I do try the others I have but it's always back to the best bow I have..

[Eric Swanson]

I visited Ken a couple of weeks ago and had a chance to try this bow, thanks to Ken's tremendous hospitality. It was revelatory.

The bow felt glued to the string, seemingly played itself, yet bounced effortlessly if I simply thought about it.

It was sort of like, "Oh, so that's what a bow is supposed to feel like."


This Lipkins Sartory copy is easily one of the nicest bows I have ever played. Thanks, again, Ken, for that eye-opening experience.

I am on Sue Lipkins' wait-list, now. I am sure that it will be worth the patience.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

I visited Ken a couple of weeks ago and had a chance to try this bow, thanks to Ken's tremendous hospitality. It was revelatory.

The bow felt glued to the string, seemingly played itself, yet bounced effortlessly if I simply thought about it.

It was sort of like, "Oh, so that's what a bow is supposed to feel like."


This Lipkins Sartory copy is easily one of the nicest bows I have ever played. Thanks, again, Ken, for that eye-opening experience.

I am on Sue Lipkins' wait-list, now. I am sure that it will be worth the patience.

Thanks and yes, I love the bow. Bows are made from wood, very special wood. Each bow from the same maker, same model will vary due to the differences in the wood how ever slight they may be. This Bow I believe is the first and last she made of this model. Sue prefers to make 'her' bows 'based' on the masters rather than 'copies' which in some cases can pass for the original with the correct markings. Her name is on the bow but having owned and used a real Sartory and a great one at that for about 15 years in the first half of my life, I can hardly tell the difference. This bow feels like it's part of my hand, just like my Sartory did when I had it.

Sue will make for you what you ask for in most cases. I have had 7 of her bows. This was the only one that was made specifically for me. Having played several of her models she offered to make me something different knowing that it was the Sartory that I lived with for most of my professional career in NY. I can't say enough good things about her bows or her dedication in making the best fit for you and your bow.