This Horst Grunert “Gasparo da Salo” Model Double Bass was built in the Bavarian town of Penzberg, Germany in 1985. Horst has been building fine instruments in his two-person workshop since the 1970s, while servicing and restoring historic instruments for orchestras and musicians. He's known for masterful copies of historic patterns - this from a DaSalo contrabass. Notably he helped train our friend Thomas Martin in the art of double bass lutherie. [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="medium" ids="145227,145229"] This Gruenert double bass features beautiful arching, deep ribs and heavy brass individual tuning machines. It has only one previous owner, and was…
View Full PostAn impressive stout Australian contrabass with choice maple Musical notes and video to follow. Measurements: Upper Bout: 21" C Bout: 15" Lower Bout: 26.5" Length of Back: 44.75" Rib Depth: 1 - 8.5" String Length: 41.5" Neck: D Weight: 23.4 lbs
View Full PostThis full sized Moses A. Tewkesbury double bass is a well-restored example with enormous presence. Tewkesbury was an apprentice and builder in Abraham Prescott's shop. Many features of this early American contrabass scream "Prescott," from the scroll to the uncut ff-holes, the hump at the neck heel - arching, measurements, even the sugar maple used for the back. This instrument is clearly akin to the ex-Leslie "Tiny" Martin (BSO) Prescott double bass we also have in our shop. In fact, compared side-by-side with the Tiny Martin Prescott of the same era, the back and sides could have been made from…
View Full PostFrom the workshop of Thomas & George Martin: Working closely with a leading bow maker we have introduced the “Claude Marchand” bow. They are available in both French style (modeled on Vigneron and Sartory) and German model (inspired by the old H.R. Pfretchner). Only the finest pernambuco wood and silver mountings are used. Balance and playability are the first consideration. They are priced to suit any budget but many are used by top professional players. The Martin's always bring a bunch of bows with them to the ISB and European Bass Conventions, and they always sell out! Gary was quick…
View Full Post