is this english?..

[Jim Mortimore]

Yes indeed, to Tony's bass sanctuary it goes..

here is the auction house lot info link in case your interested...

http://www.gorringes.co.uk/asp/fullC...207&saletype=P

[Chris Shaw]

Wow - their pictures just confirm what a wonderful instrument that is. My guess is Lott senior. What annoys me is that the auction house just didn't bother to do their homework. To describe it as late 19th century German displays an unbelievable incompetence. Ok for the buyer, but what about the poor seller? Why didn't they just ask someone who knew what he was talking about as their "specialist" clearly doesn't! That bass, with a little work, will easily fetch three times the hammer price. A Fendt attribution, in similar condition, went at Brompton's a couple of years ago for a hammer price of £42000. I believe, but I'm not certain on this, that that one went to Tony as well.

[Ken Smith]

So, the bass sold for about $46,500. That is why I was curious what in the world your were doing with it asking these 'innocent-like' questions. Sneaky!!

Edward Withers (repair label mentioned) died in 1875. Many good makers worked there of the years. This bass is Classic English with Maggini/d'Salo f-holes. Basses like these were made by Lott, Kennedy, Hart, Hart/Valentine, BF Fendt and others pre-1850. After that, there were a few followers of this style as well.

Paying that price for this bass in as-is condition, Tony has an idea it is one of the great makers. Do not be surprised if you see him list a Thomas Kennedy for some 6-figure price before long. Remember those Gears! They are Bakers by the way. Real ones.

[Chris Shaw]

They aren't Baker machines Ken. If you look more closely you'll see that the front support for the turning key isn't separate. It's part of the brass backing plate. Baker didn't do this - but Lottt Senior did. As I'm sure you know, Lott sometimes made his own machines and this is one of the features that he sometimes used. Hence my guess at it being a Lott senior.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Chris Shaw

They aren't Baker machines Ken. If you look more closely you'll see that the front support for the turning key isn't separate. It's part of the brass backing plate. Baker didn't do this - but Lottt Senior did. As I'm sure you know, Lott sometimes made his own machines and this is one of the features that he sometimes used. Hence my guess at it being a Lott senior.

Ok, your a Brit, I'm a Yank.. I yield to the man in the Red Coat..

[Jim Mortimore]

but... if you look here the machines on this look remarkably like the bass in question...

http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/sale_t...ouble_bass.asp

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Jim Mortimore

but... if you look here the machines on this look remarkably like the bass in question...

http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk/sale_t...ouble_bass.asp

Yes, my attribution is to Kennedy and not Lott as I said and felt earlier. The Scroll and FFs point me there.

Do not be surprised if you see him list a Thomas Kennedy for some 6-figure price before long.

The body shape could be one of 6 different makers. The Gears, IF Original almost 'never' ID a bass with certainty. They are just parts added after the bass is made. Baker was not the old Gear maker in the 19th century. There were others. I don't think Lott made his own gears either. Maybe just made by a shop other than Baker that was less commonly seen.