Bass, Double

Object Name:

Bass, Double

Creator:

Prescott, Abraham

Date:

1820-1830

Material:

Wood

Dimensions:

H-1.3 W-4.75 D-0.25 inches
Body length: 47 1/4in
Width at upper bout: 21in
Width at center bout: 15 1/2in
width at lower bout: 28 3/4in

Description:

Double Bass. Has maker's label of Abraham Prescott: "Musical Instruments / manufactured for sale by / Abraham Prescott / Deerfield, N.H. / Bass Viol and Violin Strings / and Bows / Constantly on hand / also silk, cotton and oil'd cloth, / umbrellas / for sale or repaired". Bridge reads, "John...Ten / Schon...[Badger]". The instrument is a full cut, three quarter size flat back model bass violin with gamba corners and lower traditional Prescott Busetto corners. The top is a multiple sectional table of fir ranging in grain from modified slab cut at the center section to fine grain at the outer flanks. The back table is a two-piece sectional plate of broad flamed American maple. The ribs are of matching character to that of the black table. There are traditional decorative maple outer moldings adjoining the top and back tables. The scroll is original of highly figured American Maple with a moderately flamed maple neck graft. The gears are original Parson's gears mounted on inlay brass plates. Originally made with three strings, but converted to four strings, possibly at Prescott's shop. The color of the varnish is a deep reddish brown. The bass was restored by Samuel Kolstein Son, Ltd in 2009.

Provenance:

This instrument was used in First Congregational Church in Hopkinton (1820s-1850) prior to the Church's purchase of a seraphine (1850).

Subjects:

Churches, Music, Musical instruments, Stringed instruments

People:

Prescott, Abraham (2), Richardson, Charles

Place of Origin:

Deerfield or Concord, New Hampshire

Item Number:

1983.0356

Accession Number:

1983.0356

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the Hopkinton Historical Society

Credit Line:

Gift of Charles Richardson

Participating Organization:

Hopkinton Historical Society