Bernardel Plumerel - ex David Walter

[John Cubbage]

The above bass is very similar to what I recall through interactions with David Walter years ago. I played it and 2 other of his basses in David's apartment in 1973. It had light varnish, man's head at top of the peg box, same size. It was a fine bass and played very well.

David loaned it for exhibition to the Lincoln Center Library around 1972-1973. It was featured in its own locked glass box.

David also loaned the bass to one of his students who competed in the Juilliard Double Bass Concerto Competition (featuring the Dragonetti) around 1973.

-Dr. C.

[Ken Smith]

Notice the angled Flat Back. That is not a French trait from what I have seen! The head varnish and the back varnish are completely different. The open peg box is also weak like that. Maybe, Bernardel did the head for him. Looking at that head, could it have been craved out of a regular scroll? Or is this a replaced neck graft with scroll grafted on for that bass with the head carved?

Could this be an English Bass?