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

[Ken Smith]

Personally I have known about the Hawkes 'series' Basses since I was in High School and that's before some of our members were born..lol

I first learned about them from the Elgar book. The confusion for me has been the Hawkes Bass models and where they have been made. I include this Thread in the English section 'only' because the Firm was located in London. I do not at all imply that 'all' of the Basses were of English make. In fact, the majority of them were imported from Germany and some from France.

"Known as Hawkes & Co. from 1860 to 1875, the firm was first established in 1860 as an importer of brass instruments in London by William Henry Hawkes (1830-1900).."

Rivière & Hawkes; "This partnership in London between William H. Hawkes and Jules Prudence Rivière (b Aix-en-Othe 6 Nov 1819; d 1900) was begun in 1865 with the establishment of the journal, The Musical Progress (Newsome 1998, 95). It specialized in brass and military band music. The company was called "Rivière & Hawkes" by 1876. Rivière had emigrated to England in 1857. The company dissolved with the withdrawal of Rivière in 1889. Their business was located at 54 Castle Street, Leicester Square."

The above two paragraphs are from the link listed above. Why did I include that? Well, one of the bigger confusions to me are the French made basses and the dates of "Riviere and Hawkes", the name itself.

I have seen a few Basses listed as Riviere and Hawkes with proper dates before 1889 and they were spitting images of a Jacquet Vuillaume style French Bass. One was offered to me as an attributed Claudot but I passed on it. After it was sold, the Top was taken off and an old Riviere and Hawkes label was found under the dust inside the Bass. This was the real deal. A French made Hawkes. I also have to make mention here to the Contrabass Shoppe in England. They have posted several Hawkes' of all 4 models made in 3 different countries, Germany, France (R&H) and England. Tony Houska of the CB Shoppe also has some very good information on the companies activities. Still, there is information yes to be discovered. Tony mentions who made them most likely in France, the R&H models. The English made ones are reported to have been made by the Hawkes & Son (company name after 1889) by their string repairer named Robert Green. This I believe is mentioned in the Raymond Elgar book.

Recently I have seen two so called 'Riviere and Hawkes' Basses for sale. One looks like the Concert model and is labeled as such with the R&H label dated 1897 but looks German made. The other has a Bohemian type emblem similar to an old Juzek type Bass (not Juzek though) and is dated 1910. These are both impossible because the Riviere and Hawkes company was dissolved in 1889 which is on record.

The four general types of Hawkes Basses I am aware of which I think start with the Riviere and Hawkes company name are;

1) the French looking Basses similar to Vuillaume models,

2) the Panormo model Round Back with a Purfled "H" under the Neck Button (2 or 3 sizes known) later made after 1890? (until at least 1924 where their catalog still offered a 3-string option),

3) the Concert model Round Back and outer Rib Linings sometimes with a Purfled "F" under the Neck Button which is similar to the Panormo but have been advertised by dealers as made either in France with the "F", Germany or even London. This Concert 'middle' model origin-wise is the most confusing to me and

4) the Professor model similar model to the Panormo and Concert but with a Flat Back and outer Rib Linings. These are usually advertised as German made but I have seen at least one listed as made in London.

Well, this has been as confusing to me as I guess it is to you reading this. Regardless of where the Basses were made, they all carried the Hawkes label with the company address as London. That label has 'zip' to do with where they were actually made. Were all the Professor models made in Germany? Were all the Panormo models made in London? Were any of the Panormo'ish models made in France with outer Rib Linings?

Try looking up any of the names I mentioned above in the Violin Books and see what you come up with. Practically nothing. The reason I mention 'Houska above with his Link is because he has offered the most 'real' and historical information about this company. For that we must all thank him and others as well when they put the work in to uncover lost history.

I recently took in a Hawkes Professor for evaluation as a possible trade towards another Bass I have in the Shop but this one is unlabeled. I spoke with the restorer who knows this Bass from the inside out and brought it back to life from its neglected state about 4 years ago. I also sent pictures to several Shops in London as well as a few I know here in USA. They all agree that it is more than likely a German made Professor. Then I asked a each one of them where in Germany were they made and by whom if at all possible. Some had no idea or in one case a dealer who shall remain nameless said he knew exactly what it is and by whom but would not give out 'free' information.. lol.. Ok.. no Problemo.. A few couldn't say as they don't really know for sure and were honest about it. Three other opinions ranged from Hornsteiner? (Mittenwald school), Rubner? (Markneukirchen) and from a shop/s in Shoenbach/Luby (German Czech border). Basically, somewhere in Germany! My opinion from the Scroll and Scroll varnish (which is the only pure example of it being the Bass body was entirely over-varnished out of necessity) is in agreement with the Mittenwald/Hornsteiner/ish theory.

Here are a few Pics of this Professor which by London standards of the Hawkes models is the bottom of 'that' particular 'food chain'. My friend owns a newly acquired English? Panormo "H" model Hawkes and brought it to my shop the other day to compare with mine. His has more bottom end spread. This one has a slightly smoother silky tone and for me easier to play over the shoulders with the Flat Back. His Bass in the market place though brings more money because of the model and condition as well.

Here's a German made Professor (3-string converted to 4);


This Bass however regardless of how nice she looks still needs some repairs and set-up work. I have played it at one Orchestra rehearsal so far but only as a road test to better evaluate it.

If you have a Hawkes Bass of any variety or think you do, please post it here on this thread for discussion. Be careful with using pics from other websites. I don't know what the exact Web laws are but being that we have been doing this for years, it should be done in a respectful manner if at all.