Reviews

Tell me about Ronald Prentice? Ron Prentice was born in 1932 in London. After an early playing career on bass guitar and double bass Ron opened a shop in Enfield, Middlesex where he made, restored instruments and sold accessories. Ron's first instruments were mainly viols - but when his work found particular favour with players in the London orchestras he began to make more modern instruments. Orders for new instruments - particularly cellos and double basses - began to flood in - so in order to enable him to concentrate on his making without disturbance Ron moved to Ash Priors,...

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...