SOLD G. A. Pfretzschner Aluminum Double Bass

Aluminum double basses are rare today, and little is known about them. Not much information can be found on the very earliest possible makers...and even the companies that we can confirm made them do not know much, if anything about them. There are various different legends about who, when and where they were made. Perhaps this listing will prove to be as much educational as it is interesting.

THIS DOUBLE BASS HAS BEEN SOLD, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR OTHER BASSES LIKE THIS

Aluminum Double Bass labeled G. A. Pfretzschner

Aluminum double basses are rare today, and little is known about them. Not much information can be found on the very earliest possible makers...and even the companies that we can confirm made them do not know much, if anything about them. There are various different legends about who, when and where they were made. Perhaps this listing will prove to be as much educational as it is interesting.

First some facts:

The first reported appearance of an aluminum instrument dates back to 1891, when Alfred Springer of Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded a patent for an aluminum violin. There are no known double basses to have been produced from the Springer workshop.

In 1894 the Aluminum Musical Instrument Company of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was formed under the guidance of Neil Merrill. The company offered everything from violins and cellos to banjos and zithers. By 1898 however, the company was no more. We are not aware of any double basses being made by this workshop and given the short amount of time they were in business, it seems unlikely, but as the range of instruments they produced was so vast, it is still probable. If you think you have one, we would love to see pictures of it. eMail us HERE.

During the 1930?s the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) produced aluminum upright basses, among many other instruments. These basses are the rarer of the aluminium basses as the entire body, neck and scroll were made out of seamlessly welded aluminum and were often covered with a convincing faux wood grain finish. Information suggests that only 500 double basses were made. To find one of these basses today with it's original finish in pristine condition is rare as most are well worn or have been sandblasted. The original patent can be viewed here.

If you have one, we would love to see pictures of it. eMail us HERE.

Feb2006 edit: A nice example, #72, was recently brought to our attention, as well as #254 seen here.

The USA was not alone though in the production of Aluminum instruments. The G.A. Pfretzschner workshop of Markneukirchen, Germany was also producing a number of aluminum cellos and double basses for import into the USA. Although all surviving aluminum basses are rare, these are the more common and what most people have seen.  To date I know of both a flat back model and a arched back model, although the arched backs are more common.

A less credible and all too often told story is that the Ford Motor Company and Colman produced a limited number of aluminum basses for the Navy & U.S.O. as a wooden bass could not survive extended travels on the ships as they are highly susceptible to humidity and moisture. This is on the level of urban legend and the Ford Motor Company or Colman ever made a single double bass.  I have letters from the Ford Motor Company Archivists confirming that they never made a double bass or any musical instruments. Most of the German made basses are falsely attributed to Ford & Colman. If you have any supporting evidence that Ford or Colman made any instruments, I would love to see it, please eMail us this information.

American made Aluminum instruments are unique in the fact that they were welded whereas the Europeans used rivets & screws. This single tell-tale identifier can be used to spot one from across the room. The Europeans used spruce bass bars, blocks and sound post platforms whereas the American made instruments are entirely aluminum. It is our opinion that the European made basses, due to their construction, have a much better tone. The rivets allow luthiers the opportunity to disassemble the instruments for maintenance and repairs when needed.

This bass bears it's original label and is from the Pfretzschner workshop.

We have been asked many times over the years what these basses are worth. Our reply is often "whatever the market will bear".  Please keep in mind though, this is not a rare, untouched Prescott...this is an German made aluminum bass...and the price should be in the neighborhood of an Kay in similar condition.