Info on Calvin Baker/Asa White

[Carl Egbert]

Looking for info on these two makers. I know that they made instruments in New England, and that Baker was a student of White, but that's about it. Anybody know anything? Searching hasn't turned up anything of note.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Carl Egbert

Looking for info on these two makers. I know that they made instruments in New England, and that Baker was a student of White, but that's about it. Anybody know anything? Searching hasn't turned up anything of note.

I have seen a Baker in the Elgar book and also a White in person. Small 3/4 gamba bass. Nothing special. The Baker is of a similar outline. Both Germanic in style.

Why do you ask?

[Carl Egbert]

http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?t=2193

I asked for opinions on the possible origin of this bass about 16 months ago; the conclusion that a few people came to was "probably German." I've taken the instrument to several luthiers since then, and they've all said "probably French." However, the bass had to have many cracks repaired and a new bass bar put in after a little accident (thank god for insurance) and this label was discovered when the top was taken off...


http://imgur.com/BRLvAte

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Carl Egbert

http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?t=2193

I asked for opinions on the possible origin of this bass about 16 months ago; the conclusion that a few people came to was "probably German." I've taken the instrument to several luthiers since then, and they've all said "probably French." However, the bass had to have many cracks repaired and a new bass bar put in after a little accident (thank god for insurance) and this label was discovered when the top was taken off...


http://imgur.com/BRLvAte

So maybe it is American, same period as thought German or French and the wood on the back of all 3 basses do look slightly American, broad flamed Sugar Maple. Like Prescott and others had access to back then. So it might be a Baker. The one in the Elgar book only shows the Top, not the back.

Baker worked for Asa White in the beginning and then went out on his own eventually. if it says Baker, then it is Baker, not White. If so, it brings to close the mystery or 3 basses but, I think that the one I saw at Arnold's was the same bass from Chicago, just removed from there at that time. That makes it 2-basses, not 3 of this pattern.

[Carl Egbert]

Another possibility is that it's a factory French or German instrument that Baker imported and put his own label on.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Carl Egbert

Another possibility is that it's a factory French or German instrument that Baker imported and put his own label on.

I doubt that. The wood looks like domestic maple, similar to other Yankee basses. Imports would not have carvings like that in the button. Never seen one.

[Carl Egbert]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

If so, it brings to close the mystery or 3 basses but, I think that the one I saw at Arnold's was the same bass from Chicago, just removed from there at that time. That makes it 2-basses, not 3 of this pattern.

Michael Cahill showed up in the last thread with pics of his own bass, so his + mine + the Chicago one make 3 total. I would be curious to know if the other two have the same label... might be time to send out some emails. The one in mine was extremely faded, as you can see from the picture, which is why I never knew it was there until the top came off.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Carl Egbert

Michael Cahill showed up in the last thread with pics of his own bass, so his + mine + the Chicago one make 3 total. I would be curious to know if the other two have the same label... might be time to send out some emails. The one in mine was extremely faded, as you can see from the picture, which is why I never knew it was there until the top came off.

I think the Chicago bass was Michael's. That makes two then, his and yours. I don't think a label was in there. Michelle and Arnold combined would have found it.

[Mark Leue]

hope this includes the pictures?

[Mark Leue]

Inscription.

[Mark Leue]

volute detail.

[Mark Leue]

Button. and upper back

[Mark Leue]

One more, side and back.