Category: over $10,000

This 1999 Martin Sheridan “Panormo” flatback is a fine orchestral bass once again after having led a gigging jazz life with its original owner. The top is medium grain spruce, the black, sides, and neck are maple. The single unit brass tuning machines are supplied from the Cincinnati Bass Shop. The fittings, including a new… Continue reading 1999 Martin Sheridan Panormo flatback

This 1934 Gibson Roy Smeck Stage De Luxe is one of the few that was made originally with scalloped top brace voicing. This instrument is one of my two all-time favorite examples, both having come from the same batch number, 1010. The voice is is rich and full, with a lightness of response to light… Continue reading 1934 Gibson Roy Smeck Stage De Luxe

This 1937 Martin OOO-28 (66654) is an especially fine example of this model from a very desirable year. The bridge is the only replaced part and it is very well made and installed. The original bridge had been reattached using small bolts through the bridge plate, so these holes were filled with small maple pieces… Continue reading 1937 Martin OOO-28

This lightweight ca. 1890 3/4 German flatback bass started out life as a three string instrument when it was purchased for the Royal Marine Band. A fourth string was added later with the installation of a Baker style tuning machine. Later on this bass served a long time as a jazz instrument, having been owned… Continue reading ca. 1890 German 3/4 flatback converted to 4 stg

This well maintained 2007 Paul Bryan “Mattaeo Gofriller” model (number 71) is a very nice affordable handmade instrument. This model is the largest pattern that Paul Bryant made. It has a rich and solid presence both as a section bass and for smaller groups. The top is a two-piece section of Alpine spruce with the… Continue reading 2007 Paul Bryant “Mattao Gofriller” model

This ca. 1960s German 3/4 carved back bass with a regraduated top and new Jason Brown C extension is a solid performance orchestral instrument and an easy size to manage. The medium grain spruce top is very even in character, with the wider grain at the edges. This top has had a recent regraduation performed… Continue reading 1960s German 3/4 carved back w/ C ext

This ca. 1890s Tyrolean large 3/4 flatback bass underwent a complete restoration a few years ago by SF Bay Area doublebass luthier, Nathaniel Rich. During the restoration, a neck block was made and installed, the string length shortened, and some old cracks were regaled and cleated. It is now a solid performer in the jazz… Continue reading ca. 1890s Tyrolean large 3/4 flatback