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Old 07-11-2013, 01:37 PM
Richard Korn Richard Korn is offline
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Default 1826 Prescott Doublebass

This is my Prescott bass,dated 1826 with the number 70 also on the label,which matches a Prescotts's listing of a double bass made in jan.1826 and sold in April 1826 to someone named Woodman for $62 including(B,B,C) brass mechanism,bow and case,most likely.
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Old 07-11-2013, 01:43 PM
Richard Korn Richard Korn is offline
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Here is a photo during restoration,of interest is Prescott's use of a back brace on a round back bass . Original bottom block and new linings for the top to make layer repairs easier.
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Old 07-11-2013, 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Richard Korn View Post
Here is a photo during restoration,of interest is Prescott's use of a back brace on a round back bass . Original bottom block and new linings for the top to make layer repairs easier.
The Top block is new and this was possible a blockless bass at the neck originally. The cross strips look like later work as well. The small center post bar looks similar to what is in my Panormo school bass as well as my Malvolti. We do not know if either of them are original but they are very old. I prefer the 3/4 cross post bar in roundback basses and have had them added to many of my older basses when in restoration. Also, some new basses I commissioned I had them in as well. Thanks for the pics.
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Old 07-11-2013, 02:36 PM
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The Top block is new and this was possible a blockless bass at the neck originally. The cross strips look like later work as well. The small center post bar looks similar to what is in my Panormo school bass as well as my Malvolti. We do not know if either of them are original but they are very old. I prefer the 3/4 cross post bar in roundback basses and have had them added to many of my older basses when in restoration. Also, some new basses I commissioned I had them in as well. Thanks for the pics.
Wow, I just noticed, No corner blocks either. Interesting.
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Old 07-11-2013, 03:14 PM
Richard Korn Richard Korn is offline
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I believe the long strip and 6 cross strips are original as they all very similar and the Prescott label is on top if it. The neck block is new but you can see where the original block or bottom of the neck was. I would think that there wasn't a real block but rather like a guitar with the sides slotted into the neck root.the top and sides were definitely built that way like the church basses. Do you know of any other dated and numbered Prescotts?
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Old 07-11-2013, 03:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Korn View Post
I believe the long strip and 6 cross strips are original as they all very similar and the Prescott label is on top if it. The neck block is new but you can see where the original block or bottom of the neck was. I would think that there wasn't a real block but rather like a guitar with the sides slotted into the neck root.the top and sides were definitely built that way like the church basses. Do you know of any other dated and numbered Prescotts?
I have seen some Prescott pictures of the tuner plates with a date and or number stamped in. I think with most of them being converted to 4-string with non-original gears, some of those dates or numbers we lost as well. Labels also disappear during repairs sometimes.
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Old 07-11-2013, 03:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Korn View Post
I believe the long strip and 6 cross strips are original as they all very similar and the Prescott label is on top if it. The neck block is new but you can see where the original block or bottom of the neck was. I would think that there wasn't a real block but rather like a guitar with the sides slotted into the neck root.the top and sides were definitely built that way like the church basses. Do you know of any other dated and numbered Prescotts?
Beautiful mid-evil type axe handle gears.

Can we see the other side or the peg-box/gears?
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Old 07-11-2013, 05:43 PM
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Mid evil type axe handle....lol..My first thought was early American so maybe Indian arrow head influence!
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Old 07-12-2013, 01:17 AM
Adam Linz Adam Linz is offline
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Default Wow! Where did it come from?

Um, this looks like a really special bass. Those gears are sick! Cough, cough, hey Ken why don't you make all of us some Ken Smith upright gears, cough, cough. Hahaha I'd love to hear your thoughts on designs. But this bass, really different from most Prescotts? Stunning., thanks.
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Old 07-12-2013, 01:19 AM
Adam Linz Adam Linz is offline
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Default Wow2

Can we see some pictures of that back? Ribs? Please. Please again. Thanks
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Old 07-12-2013, 10:14 AM
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Adam,
here is picture of the back. Post # 2 above shows the inside of the back and you see it is a round back bass so no braces, just the one for the sound post to sit on. This is the earliest model of Prescott basses, almost identical to the early church bass and probably only made in Deerfield til ca. early 1830's, the more typical bass with busetto corners is a later model.
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Old 07-17-2013, 10:45 AM
Richard Korn Richard Korn is offline
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Here is my scroll getting a new volute which had been broken off and lost.what was on there when I got it didn't look right at all so I had a new one made with photos and measurements from the bass in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Can't seem to upload 2 pictures at once!
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Old 07-17-2013, 10:49 AM
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Prescott scroll take 2
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Old 07-17-2013, 10:50 AM
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Prescott scroll from the MFA bass
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Old 07-17-2013, 10:51 AM
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Prescott scroll take 2
The whole head was lost before?
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Old 07-17-2013, 11:09 AM
Richard Korn Richard Korn is offline
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No, the volute was missing at some point and when the bass was set up,it got a new one which didn't fit and a new neck,which was really to short to use properly, so I had both replaced.
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Old 07-17-2013, 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Richard Korn View Post
No, the volute was missing at some point and when the bass was set up,it got a new one which didn't fit and a new neck,which was really to short to use properly, so I had both replaced.
Your picture shows an entirely new head being made from what I can see. Everything new from the top of the pegbox, correct? That is what I mean by 'Head', the top part.
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Old 07-17-2013, 11:21 AM
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Yes, I thought with head you meant the whole scroll!
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Old 07-17-2013, 11:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Korn View Post
Yes, I thought with head you meant the whole scroll!
Well technically the Scroll IS the head and under it is the pegbox. So, now that we have that out of the way (lol), it's a shame the bass was be-headed at some point. My Prescott scroll had some chips knocked off but was fully repaired back to the original shape as best as possible.

Here's my Prescott before and after its restoration. The head on my Prescott is quite beautiful. Maybe it's one to be used for your bass!
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Old 07-17-2013, 04:06 PM
Adam Linz Adam Linz is offline
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Default Nice!

Hey Richard, who did the scroll for you? Always curious when We see such great work and attention to detail. When I'm in Iceland can I stop by on a long layover to check it out? I'm flying Icelandic Air more often to Europe now. Anyways, what a dream bass. Thanks again for sharing. Best, Adam
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