Hawkes & Son Professor Model Double Bass, 1901, 5-String

Hawkes & Son, Professor Model Double Bass #3901, 1901 5-String 7/8ths

This stout, healthy Hawkes Professor is a large violin-cornered double bass with a flat canted back and very deep ribs – 9" at widest! This Hawkes Professor was converted to 5-string long ago with an unobtrusive extra tuner and has been an orchestral denizen for decades.

The upper bout is as wide as you’ll find on a double bass, yet allows for a good reach. It’s fun to play. Two-piece flamed maple back, with similar wood for ribs, quartersawn spruce top, well-cared for and very distinctive in shape and character. The low B string really moves the room. This Hawkes & Son Professor was originally built as a four string, not a three as earlier Victorian models were.

Violin outline, deep ribs and generous proportions characterize all Hawkes and Son models. Easy to spot with an almost upside-down look at eye level – we expected to get a larger upper bout measurement than lower bout! This bass is all shoulders, behaves like a young instrument, although over a century in. Quite light too for such a large bass, saves ten pounds on a Prescott.

Of course, at Upton Bass we are prepared to modify string length or back to a 4-string – contact us to discuss.

Measurements:

• Upper Bout: 22.5″
  
• C Bout: 15.5″
  
• Lower Bout: 26.5″
  
• Rib Depth: 6.5 – 9″
  
• Length of Back: 44″
  
• String Length: 42.5″
  
• Neck: D
  
• Weight: 24 Lbs