French Basses

[Tom Derthick]

Yes, it is the father, August, not the son Gustave, who made the bass. Sorry about the confusion. When I have photos of the label and bass I will be sure to post them. Tom Metzler has authenticated the label and instrument. A wonderful example of french bassmaking.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tom Derthick

Yes, it is the father, August, not the son Gustave, who made the bass. Sorry about the confusion. When I have photos of the label and bass I will be sure to post them. Tom Metzler has authenticated the label and instrument. A wonderful example of french bassmaking.

Thanks. That's what I gathered. On Gustave, he assisted his father and did so most likely in 1859 (b.1832, Paris) as my Bass was appraised as, but was a pre-Brenardel-Gand Bass by far (1866 they merged). Mine was most likely made in the fathers shop but somehow attributed to Gustave. That is what the late Sam Kolstein appraised it as. I bought it in 1971 from Ed Maestro in Philly and he just called it a Bernardel and I assumed the Father at that time. It still had its original (and very thick) Neck/Scroll with no graft and seemed to be original as a 4-string. I had the neck Thinned by Maestro so I could play it. It also had the typical Bernardel slightly softer shoulders than those we see or the Claudot, Jacquet and Lamy model Basses with the broad Cello shoulders but had the false Cello button. I have some old pics so maybe I can get them scanned and post them here.

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I have some old pics so maybe I can get them scanned and post them here.

hi ken,
did you find the time to scan the pics yet?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Anselm Hauke

hi ken,
did you find the time to scan the pics yet?

Gotta find em first..lol

Saw them last a few years ago in the house. i didn't think to bring them to work but will hunt them down soon.

[Anselm Hauke]

thank you.

it´s interesting for me to see pics of bernadels because i recently played two and seen pics of others that are for sale, and they all look different.

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Tom Derthick

Yes, it is the father, August, not the son Gustave, who made the bass. Sorry about the confusion. When I have photos of the label and bass I will be sure to post them. Tom Metzler has authenticated the label and instrument. A wonderful example of french bassmaking.

hi tom,

do you have some pictures yet?

[Tom Derthick]

Originally Posted by Anselm Hauke

hi tom,

do you have some pictures yet?

Just got the bass back from Pat McCarthy. Beautiful work. The bass is extraordinarily loud and resonant considering new bar, post patch, etc. Much brighter, lots of punch, more 'french' sounding than it was before--it used to be very dark, resonant with huge 'cushion'--but I suspect as it breaks in it should darken considerably, as it did when I bought it 10 years ago. (Prior to purchase the bass had not been played--other than prospective buyers trying it out--in 50 years.)

I have yet to photograph it since getting it back, but if I can figure it out I will attach some photos of the bass while still apart, taken about two weeks ago.

[Anselm Hauke]

hi tom
thank you!
very interesting pics, especially the signature and the label.
the two bernardels i ve seen had none of this.
i´m curios to see to bass from the outside

[Tom Derthick]

Originally Posted by Anselm Hauke

hi tom
thank you!
very interesting pics, especially the signature and the label.
the two bernardels i ve seen had none of this.
i´m curios to see to bass from the outside

Sorry I am not a very good photographer...these should give you some idea of this instrument. I can't wait to hear what it will sound like in a year!

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Tom Derthick

Sorry I am not a very good photographer...

WOW, thank you tom.
you are a good photographer...and must be a lucky bass-owner!
very beautiful instrument!

[Ken Smith]

Tom, it looks like you have a clutter room there with all those Basses. Maybe the Bernardel can come and visit me here where there is more room to play, huh?..

By the way, your profile doesn't tell us where you are located in the world. Is this Bass still in France?

Would you mind posting all the usual measurements? It looks quite large from your photos.

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Tom Derthick

(Prior to purchase the bass had not been played--other than prospective buyers trying it out--in 50 years.)

this must be a distintive feature from bernadel basses.
the one i saw in paris not long ago (and another one some weeks before) were also not played for many years.