Hawkes & Son.. (The Official KSB Hawkes Bass Discussion Thread)

[Ken Smith]

On the UK Gallery Strings website they talk about the Basses in order they were produced with the French being first and then the Flatback German model with the Panormo being last to come. The Contrabass website seperately lists the French model history from the other 3 models. On one Bass they have in the Archives which is a Flatback Professor model they make mention of the original label in the Bass "The instrument bears it is original Hawkes & Son label from Denmark Street, Piccadilly Circus, London dated 1904, No 3160."

Does this imply that it was made in London or just the company's address that imported and sold them?

Gallery Strings also shows a Professor model that claims it was actually made in London ("one that was actually made in London c1910"), and not Germany (Saxony) where the Flatbacks were reportedly made.

So, just more confusion I think and the reason for starting this thread to begin with. So many Basses produced but with practically no traceable history to read about in the Violin books other than a few mentions here and there.