Description
Hawkes & Son Professor Double Bass, 1901, 5-String 7/8ths
Hawkes & Son, Piccadilly Circus, London England, #3901, 1901. The Hawkes & Son Professor model double bass is a large violin-cornered model with a flat canted back and very deep ribs – 9″ at widest! This Hawkes Professor was converted to 5-string long ago with an unobtrusive extra tuner and has been an orchestral denizen for decades. A giant friendly beast awaiting a new owner!
The upper bout is as wide as you’ll find on a double bass, yet allows for a good reach. It’s fun to play. Two-piece flamed maple back, with similar wood for ribs, quartersawn spruce top, well-cared for and very distinctive in shape and character. The low B string really moves the room. This Hawkes & Son Professor was originally built as a four string, not a three as earlier Victorian models were.
Violin outline, deep ribs and generous proportions characterize all Hawkes and Son models. Easy to spot with an almost upside-down look at eye level – we expected to get a larger upper bout measurement than lower bout! This guy is all shoulders, behaves like a young instrument, although over a century in. Quite light too for such a large bass, saves ten pounds on a Prescott.
Of course, at Upton Bass we are prepared to modify string length or back to a 4-string – call to discuss: +1 (860) 535-9399.
Measurements:
- Upper Bout: 22.5″
- C Bout: 15.5″
- Lower Bout: 26.5″
- Rib Depth: 6.5 – 9″
- Length of Back: 44″
- String Length: 42.5″
- Neck: D
- Weight: 24 Lbs
We modeled our Brescian Model double bass on instruments such as this, especially the canted flatback.
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Upton Bass String Instrument Co. specializes in building award-winning custom double basses and offers accessories for the double bass. Upton Bass also services all instruments and bows of the violin family with world class restoration and repair, to view our online restoration portfolio visit stringrepair.com
Upton Bass is ready to offer advice and answer any questions regarding double basses or related bass topics. Please contact UB at sales@uptonbass.com or call the shop at +1 (860) 535-9399. Hours of operation Tuesday through Saturday 10am – 6pm. The Workshop (The Barn) and showroom are located in Mystic, Connecticut conveniently between Boston and NYC.
