Guitar and Pear-Shaped

[Thomas Erickson]

Nice post.

[Matthew Tucker]

Here's an odd one for the collection.

The pic comes from Patkolo's facebook pages ... the guy holding the cornerless bass with the archtop guitar/mandolin style FFs is tagged as Andrew Eungi Lee, a Korean bassist.

I know nothing more about it than this. It doesn't look old to me.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

Here's an odd one for the collection.

The pic comes from Patkolo's facebook pages ... the guy holding the cornerless bass with the archtop guitar/mandolin style FFs is tagged as Andrew Eungi Lee, a Korean bassist.

I know nothing more about it than this. It doesn't look old to me.

Thanks for posting this Matt. It looks a bit on the crude side so it can be something made recently to look old or its it is old, we just can't tell from this shot. My guess is that unless he has available fund$$ or someone else does, a school or family member, this is not the real thing.

This is the 2nd cornerless I have seen recently that is probably faked to look old. The other one is in a famous shop with a famous 18th century name attached. If it is authentic, then it has a replaced scroll, replaced back (looks brand new), replaced antiqued ribs and a replaced top. So, did I leave anything out?..

[Matthew Tucker]

No I don't think it is old.

Nonetheless, it is still an authentic, real "guitar or pear-shaped" bass!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

No I don't think it is old.

Nonetheless, it is still an authentic, real "guitar or pear-shaped" bass!

Yes, it is indeed!

[Arnold Schnitzer]

It looks like it's been wearing a corset.

[Jeff Schwartz]

Check this out:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

(sorry for the Facebook link, it's all that's out there, as far as I know)

This is the text:

"I have a spectacular
instrument that should be in the hands of an active player. It is one
of the great basses in the U.S. and hasn't been on the market for
close to 70 years. I am now in the initial stage of putting news out
that this instrument is for sale. It is my bass, and this would be
entirely a private sale.

The bass was formerly owned by Herman Reinshagen, member of the New
York Philharmonic in the 30's, and teacher at Julliard. He was the
teacher of Fred Zimmerman, among many illustrious others. He retired
to Los Angeles, and that is where he was my teacher. Of course,
Zimmerman also taught at Julliard, as did Dave Walter, Zimerman's
student. Dave was my teacher at Manhattan School of Music
which I attended after leaving LA. I have had the bass since Reinshagen's
death in 1962.

The bass is early to mid 19th century, though some have placed it much
earlier. It is an instrument of superior sound and beauty. The bass is
simply a marvel to play. Most people cannot believe the tone they
immediately produce with it. It sings, and is a lovely solo
instrument, and yet has tremendous power and volume for orchestral
playing. I recently lent it for a couple of years, to an outstanding
player at the San Francisco Conservatory, one of those young fellow
who plays mainly in the thumb position. So it is recently and well
played. It is in perfect condition.

The bass is shaped like a guitar without the violin corners, and has a
carved handle made by Reinshagen for lifting. All the (various length)
end pins were carved by Reinshagen as well. I attach 2 photos."

and the image is attached. The perspective is weird and, of course, it's just one incomplete photo. Still, this sounds like an awesome and historic instrument relevant to this thread...