Reviews

How come this instrument is a collaboration between a retired English maker and a young Hungarian maker? Yes - good question. In November 2004 The Contrabass Shoppe purchased a large quantity of English sycamore for the construction of double basses and cellos from Ronald Prentice - a retired English bass maker. Along with the wood and other various items purchased were two partially completed double basses. In 2008 - Tony Houska - the Director of The Contrabass Shoppe commissioned the young Hungarian maker Akos Balazs to finish the two instruments off. Hmm interesting. Exactly how partially complete was this instrument?...

Introduction We regularly get asked to supply a professional quality instrument - that looks, feels and sounds just like a really old instrument - yet doesn't cost as much as those really old instruments - well here it is. Wow - it sure is a great looking model for a bass. Yes - we think that the model and dimensions of this instrument are absolutely perfect for a wide range of players. For starters the violin outline coupled with a flat back and upper angle break fits in perfectly with those classic English basses that all the pros seem to...

Instrument description Jerome Thibouville-Lamy circa 1920 viol-shaped with flat back. Wood The table is made of an even-medium grained spruce. A particular characteristic of this table wood, and one that is extremely handsome, is a flame-like effect caused by the visibility of medullary rays rippling through the wood. This suggests that the wood was split at a lesser angle than that used for quarter-sawn timber. The back is made from maple that shows a strong vertical grain. There is little natural flaming. The ribs and scroll are also made of maple of minimal real figuration. What is visible on the...

One can't miss the original label on the inside back of this instrument for it measures approximately 20cm x 8xm in size. On the label the printing states ‘Wilhelm Durrschmidt, Gigen und Lautenmacher, Markneukirchen /Sa. anno 1929'. The initials DW are hand written in ink towards the left hand side and there is a decorative border. According to the volume on German and Austrian Violin Makers by Karel Jalovec (pub 1967) Wilhelm August Durrschmidt was born on 11-03-1863 and died on the 17-10-1937. In 1887 Durrschmidt founded a workshop in Markneukirchen from which he made stringed instruments, lutes and parts...