Abraham Prescott
Encyclopedia
Abraham Prescott was a noted luthier
, particularly of the double bass
, who worked in Deerfield
and Concord, New Hampshire
during the 19th century. Prescott built his first double bass in 1819, building 207 over the course of his career.
Prescott and his apprentices also made hundreds of church basses
in addition to violoncellos, violins, and keyboard instruments such as melodians
.
Prescott basses are prized by professional musicians throughout the United States. One particularly famous Prescott bass was owned by jazz
legend Scott LaFaro
. The bass was damaged in the auto accident that killed LaFaro in 1961. It was later restored by Barrie Kolstein and is currently owned by Kolstein and Son, New York.
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
, particularly of the double bass
Double bass
The double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2...
, who worked in Deerfield
Deerfield, New Hampshire
Deerfield is a town in Rockingham County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,280 at the 2010 census. Deerfield is home to the annual Deerfield Fair.- History :...
and Concord, New Hampshire
Concord, New Hampshire
The city of Concord is the capital of the state of New Hampshire in the United States. It is also the county seat of Merrimack County. As of the 2010 census, its population was 42,695....
during the 19th century. Prescott built his first double bass in 1819, building 207 over the course of his career.
Prescott and his apprentices also made hundreds of church basses
American bass viol
The American bass viol, also called a church bass or Yankee bass viol, is a type of bowed string instrument which enjoyed popularity in early 19th century New England for use in aiding Puritan congregational singers. In its time of common use, the instrument was referred to as a bass viol, despite...
in addition to violoncellos, violins, and keyboard instruments such as melodians
Reed organ
A reed organ, also called a parlor organ, pump organ, cabinet organ, cottage organ, is an organ that generates its sounds using free metal reeds...
.
Prescott basses are prized by professional musicians throughout the United States. One particularly famous Prescott bass was owned by jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
legend Scott LaFaro
Scott LaFaro
Rocco Scott LaFaro was an influential jazz bassist, perhaps best known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio.-Biography:...
. The bass was damaged in the auto accident that killed LaFaro in 1961. It was later restored by Barrie Kolstein and is currently owned by Kolstein and Son, New York.