Reviews

What are the dates of William Fendt? William Fendt was the second son of Bernard Simon Fendt (1801 - 1852). He was born in London in 1832 and died in 1852. That would make him only twenty when he died. How tragic. Yes it is. So both father and son died in the same year. Yes correct. What did they die from? According to the beautifully produced and authoritative book The British Violin published by the British Violin Making Association in 2000 (ISBN 0 953471 27) - they both died at 7 Smith Street, Chelsea of consumption. Today we call...

What a beautiful looking instrument this is. Yes it is. The model and proportions are simply divine, the quality of wood used throughout is superb and the neatness of making is outstanding. As for the deep red-brown hues of the beautifully preserved oil varnish - well these are simply breathtaking. What about the condition of the instrument? Incredible is a good word. The back and front are absolutely mint. For a double bass – which as you all know is the most vulnerable of all musical instruments - to have survived in this sort of condition after more than one-point-five...

Where an earth did you find this instrument? This exceedingly rare instrument was purchased in a severely distressed condition from a perpetual traveller during November 1995. Just how badly distressed was it? Even though the instrument was cocooned in an excessively heavy, wooden, "coffin-type" travel case - the instrument was literally falling to pieces when one lifted it up by hand. Tell me more? The instrument was still in its original three string form with wooden barrels that still had thick gut strings wrapped around them. In brief the damage consisted of; Open cracks that had never before seen glue....

Wow - this bass positively seems to glow. Yes - the comment has been made quite a few times. What causes this special effect? It all has to do with the glorious colours, textures and transparency of the varnish. This just isn't any old varnish - it is Venetian varnish. Yes - I've been to Venice. Its buildings, squares, bridges and churches are all so beautiful and inspiring. I guess that past generations of visitors were inspired too. Yes - throughout the centuries many architects, painters, craftsmen, composers, and instrument makers were attracted to Venice because of its cultural vitality,...