Bernhard Simon Fendt

Bernhard Simon Fendt was born in London, England in the year 1800. He worked for many years under the supervision of his father Bernhard Fendt in the workshop of Bett's. It was here that the young Bernhard Simon learnt his trade as a master violinmaker. Today, though his violins, viola and cellos are highly prized, it is his double basses that make most musicians and dealers heart beat extra fast. He, like most makers in the English schools of this period were copying the great Italian masters; even to the extent of pretending that the instruments made were the real Italian masters and not copies. That is until players started to realize what fantastic instruments were being produced in England by some makers during this time. To my own personal feeling, there are four truly great makers in this Country in the 19th. century. John Lott, Bernhard Simon Fendt, Thomas Kennedy and William Gilkes. These four great makers all in their way were forgers of great Italian makers. In some cases it is near impossible to tell a copy from the real thing, and if it works, and usually they do, does it matter ? To some extent I can't help feeling that the great myth of Italian makers was burst by the great makers in this Country. As I have stated on many occasions, often the real thing has a sound that is so individual that it stands out like a sore thumb in a bass section, where as the English qualities are such that they have this great ability to blend well. Again I say, do you want to hear a section or a player ? Fendt specialized in copying Testore, Maggini and Gasparo da Salo. Bernhard Simon Fendt died in the year 1852, still living and working in London.
This instrument shown, is a Bernhard Simon Fendt of the first order. It is a copy of a Gasparo da Salo, and is in almost the finest condition that I have ever seen an instrument of this age in. It is truly a great double bass.

Specifications of Gasparo da Salo copy
by Bernhard Simon Fendt c1840.

Upper bout...........................................................................................538mm.
Lower bout...........................................................................................700mm.
C-bout..................................................................................................350mm.
Length of back.....................................................................................1165mm.
String length.........................................................................................108.5mm.

The table is made from Hazel wood, the back and ribs from Tiger Maple, as is the neck and scroll. The varnish is a golden yellowish brown oil preparation, and is thought to be entirely original. There was very little damage that has had to have been repaired, just the odd small crack or two, and all beautifully finished. The sound is as good as it looks, truly great. This instrument is now being played by a very fine Norwegian Jazz musician, and I hope he has many happy years with this instrument.