Double bass made by Herbert Edwin Lansdown
Object No. 2004/6/1
Australia has had over four hundred makers of bowed string instruments. Many of these were amateur makers such as Herbert Edwin Lansdown (1868-1952). He is known to have made several instruments using Australian timbers and this instrument, a double bass dating from 1927, is made from Australian cedar. Lansdown is just one of at least seven makers who have worked in the upper north coast region of New South Wales prior to WW2. Most of these makers appear to have been amateurs but took advantage of the local timber industry of the area, using native timbers. The instrument is of an unusual shape with features such as the scroll and F holes underlying its amateur status. However, the instrument has had an interesting past. Lansdown made it initially for use in an amateur orchestra in Lismore at a time when it was difficult to acquire professionally made instruments in the area. He apparently made other instruments for the players also. Prior to the instrument coming to the museum in 2003 it was owned by David Potts, bass player with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for 32 years. Previous to this it was owned by cellist Cedric Ashton who used it for teaching purposes. Ashton was a founding member of the Sydney String Quartet in 1927 and also cellist in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. He co-founded the Rockdale Opera Company and taught music at King's School Parramatta from 1952 until 1967. Michael Lea Curator, music & musical instruments June 2003.
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Summary
Object Statement
Double bass, timber / metal, designed and made by Herbert Edwin Lansdown, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, 1927
Physical Description
Acoustic double bass of irregular shape - the upper bout and top corners being much narrower than the shape of a regular instrument. The body is made from Australian cedar, dark brown in colour. The F holes are coarsely carved. The scroll is also irregularly carved. There are four strings and a large carved wooden bridge. The bridge of light brown timber and tailpiece are probably not original. The endpin is made of a broomstick with a metal end. There are two old badly done repairs of the join at the back of instrument where the back meets the side at the bottom. One repair has another strip of wood nailed on to it, the other done with a thick application of glue, possibly Araldite or similar. The repairs are not visible from the front.
DIMENSIONS
Height
1870 mm
Width
640 mm
Depth
420 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The bass was designed by Herbert Edwin Lansdown. The bass was made by Herbert Edwin Lansdown in 1927 at Lismore.
HISTORY
Notes
The bass is said to have been made by HE Lansdown for an amateur orchestra in Lismore of which he was a member (Ray Holliday/David Potts). The orchestra was not able to afford or have access to professionally made instruments. The bass was bought by David Potts from Cedric Ashton in 1992. Ashton used it for teaching purposes. Unknown when or how he acquired it.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 2004
Acquisition Date
15 January 2004
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