1826 Prescott Doublebass

[Richard Korn]

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.

[Richard Korn]

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.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Korn

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.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

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.

[Richard Korn]

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?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Korn

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.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Korn

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?