Paul Claudot (1805-1888) Mirecourt, France

[Ken Smith]

Over the years I have seen several Basses by this maker. He was trained by his father Augustin Claudot (1776-1843) who was quite a famous maker as well. I have seen I think only flatback basses by P.Claudot in both Gamba and Violin model.

In the past few years I came across a two Claudot's that were for sale and made offers on them but they sold for a bit more than I was willing to pay, mainly because I needed some room for repairs and modifications. One was a Violin model with a long string length and a replaced Scroll and the other a Gamba in fair condition overall but had potential.

Last year while in the process of selling one my other basses, a P.Claudot bass was offered as a possible partial trade. After seeing the pictures of the bass, I was quite impressed with its condition. About 6 months ago when the deal was completed the Claudot was dropped off for me at Arnold's shop. Each time I visited there with basses going back and forth, I didn't have room in the car for the Claudot so I just left there on display in the rack.

Last week I was up at Arnold's shop and finally had room to bring her home. Earlier this evening I put the bass up on my bench and adjusted the C-Extension which is a model I have never seen before. I am not 100% sure on the make of the extension so until I confirm who made it, I wont mention any names. I also adjusted the Nut and Bridge slots to tweak the bass a bit to my personal taste.

The top wood is mixed fine to medium grained spruce and slightly wavy. The back and ribs are 'tight' strong washboard 'spaghetti' flamed maple. This bass seems quite old and has not had nearly as many repairs in its life as other basses its age. The single center brace, upper and lower blocks, the 4 corner blocks and internal linings all look original to the bass. All parts, top, back, ribs and scroll are original as well with a later flamed maple neck graft. This was a 3-string bass at birth and later converted to 4-string. Three of the gears match and the forth slightly different. All 4 worm brackets look the same and the worm handles look like they have been modified or repaired at one point. The gear worms all match so it was possibly converted to 4-string quite early on. I am estimating this bass to be c.1840-1850, somewhere in the first half of his work period.

The bass is stamped 'Paul Claudot' on the single center brace which is an interesting piece of wood in itself as well as how it's shaped.

As usual, I have to wait till my son Mike can take pics and put up a new page on the website. I might try taking some pics before then to post up here on the Forum like I did earlier with the Tarr bass.

I am quite impressed with the sound of this bass. It is currently strung with Original Flexocors G-A and a solo Spirocore Extension E/C (actually F#/D but tuned Orchestra pitch). The G and D are fine but the A feels heavy to me and always does. The Spiro/Solo E/C is beautiful.

I have a few gigs within the next month or so and I plan on taking this bass out for a personal road test.

[Eric Swanson]

It sounds lovely. I look forward to seeing the photos and measurements.

I would enjoy seeing photos of the back brace, too...

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

It sounds lovely. I look forward to seeing the photos and measurements.

I would enjoy seeing photos of the back brace, too...

Measurements;
Top length to tip: 45 1/4"
Back length over button: 46"
Upper Bout width: 21 1/2"
Middle Bout width: 15"
Lower Bout width: 26 1/2"
Rib depth at bottom block: 7 3/4"
Rib taper at upper bout to Neck: 7 1/2" - 5 1/2" at Neck
Vibrating String Length: 41 3/4" (D-Neck Heel)

Did I miss anything Eric?

[Eric Swanson]

I would be surprised if you did.

All you have done, though, is whet my appetite for more...

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

I would be surprised if you did.

All you have done, though, is whet my appetite for more...

Just don't drool on the bass.. The varnish is all original still..

[Eric Swanson]

Any pics, yet?