We have a very unusual instrument in our collection – a double bass made by Johann Ulrich Eberle (1699–1768). Eberle was a renowned luthier in 18th-century Prague, known for crafting violins, violas, cellos, and rare double basses that blended Italian and German influences. Originally from Vils, near Füssen, Germany – a historic hub for violin making – Eberle trained under Thomas Edlinger and became a key figure in Prague’s thriving musical scene, and a well respected citizen. His instruments, especially his violins, are highly sought after, often modeled after Stradivari and Amati. Eberle’s work helped cement Prague’s reputation as a center for fine instrument making, alongside contemporaries like Johann Georg Hellmer and the Edlinger family. Today, his instruments remain prized by musicians and collectors, occasionally surfacing at auctions and museum collections. The only other Eberle bass we know of is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
This will need lots of very careful work, and hopefully we will get there soon!
Check out ours here.
