Peter Elias Double Bass, Montagnana Model 1989, Ontario, Canada

$15,000.00

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Peter Elias double bass, “Montagnana” model, Number 22 from 1989, built in Ontario, Canada.

Build notes from the maker:
“This bass is essentially modelled after an instrument built by the well-known Venetian maker, Domenico Montagnana, and is an ideal orchestral instrument. Some variations from the original have been introduced. An arched back, for example, instead of the original flat back as well as a slightly enlarged lower bout size and deeper rib width have been used. Curly Maple or Mahogany make up the back and sides and the tops are Spruce.” (This instrument has Maple back and sides)

SKU: 090921-01 Category: Tags: , ,

Description

Very well-maintained and expertly played double bass by Peter Elias, Ontario 1989. This is his Montegnana pattern built for orchestra, but musically flexible for any application. Peter is a bassist and it shows, with a very balanced range and nice ergonomics. Elias works alone crafting basses and cellos, he shares our ethos of making them affordable for working musicians – a single maker, small workshop double bass for very good value.

This is one of his early contrabasses featuring highly figured wood and a great big scroll. He now builds in Switzerland and his string instruments are featured in orchestras around the world.

Measurements:

  • Upper Bout:  20.5″
  • C Bout:  15.5″
  • Lower Bout:  29″
  • Rib Depth:  6.25 – 8″
  • Length of Back:  47″
  • String Length:  42″

From his website:

“Maker of double basses and cellos, Peter Elias is Canadian but has lived in Switzerland since 1992. A considerable part of his experience in the music world has been as a musician, having been a professional bass player before dedicating himself to the construction of instruments. Largely self-taught as a luthier, his most important influences have been close working relationships with professional musicians. To date over 140 of his instruments are being played by professional musicians in Europe, North and South America, Australia and Asia.

As a bass player, he initially found himself drawn to the research and construction of the double bass. His success in the bass world has been considerable and Elias Double Basses have been purchased by numerous orchestras or their players. Notably the Chicago Symphony Orchestra bass section unanimously decided to buy nine Elias basses. Other orchestras include: the Stockholm Philharmonic, the Royal Swedish Opera, the Gothenburg Opera, the Norwegian National Opera, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Südwestfunk Orchestra of Baden-Baden, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto, the Tonhalle Orchestra of Zürich, the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne, the Portuguese National Orchestra of Oporto and the Brazilian National Orchestra of Sao Paolo. The Royal Conservatory of Music in Stockholm and the UDK in Berlin have Elias basses. Bass professors including Thomas Monohan, Joel Quarrington, Micheal Wolf, Thorvald Fredin, Micheal Karlsson and Marc-Antoine Bonanomi have bought Elias basses.

A few years later, cellos also became the object of Elias’ creativity. Niall Brown of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Catherine Tunnel of the Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne, Janis Laurs from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Suzanne Wijsman who is cello professor at the University of Western Australia, David Sharp of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Rowena Macneish who plays in the Enigma Quartet are among those who have purchased Elias cellos. Peter Elias continues to professionally play the bass, mostly in jazz, as well as participating in chamber music ensembles on the cello.”

Strad Magazine Article


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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 this Prescott double bass 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 10 am – 6 pm. The Workshop (The Barn) and showroom are located in Mystic, Connecticut conveniently between Boston and NYC.