Abraham Prescott Double Bass

Description

This is an exceptionally original Prescott double bass, with everything intact – original tuners, the scroll and the neck. The top, outside linings, and back have remained remarkably stable, and the bass is fully playable. A true testament to 19th-century American craftsmanship, this Prescott is a powerhouse—a classic Busetto cornered bass with a thunderous, pipe organ-like sound.

We are currently using this bass as the model for two bench copies, which will be featured later this year. Once this original instrument meets its new owner, it will most likely undergo a meticulous restoration process here at Upton Bass.

Gary says: The reason I like to sell these pre-restoration is so that whoever is getting this bass gets to decide the string length and whether it’s a D or an E-flat neck—really making it so that you can have a Prescott as if you walked into Prescott’s shop and had him build a bass for you.

This bass features a stunning sugar maple back and sides, paired with a medium-broad grain pine top—the kind of wood that once defined American instrument making but is no longer available today.

A truly fabulous bass, this instrument can hold its own in an orchestra section alongside instruments valued at $100,000 to $200,000. It’s remarkable to think that contemporary American makers are commanding prices in the $60,000–$80,000 range, yet here we have an original Abraham Prescott—arguably the ultimate American double bass maker—ready to be restored to its full potential.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to own a piece of American musical history.