Viola da Gamba by Paul Bisch, French c.1920 w/Bow, Case Start Price USD 2,500.00 Current Price USD 2,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, September 07, 2008 End Time Sunday, September 14, 2008 Location Campbell, CA See more about 'Viola da Gamba by Paul Bisch, French c.1920 w/Bow, Case' Description UPDATE:  Because I haven't had any serious interest in this instrument, I've decided to open up the possibility of a "Best Offer" option.  Shipping may still be as much as $75-$100, but if you would like to make a reasonable offer on this viol and we agree, I will lower the asking price and allow you to bid on and buy the instrument at the agreed price.   DESCRIPTION: You’re bidding on an “antique” Dolmetsch era 6-string bass viol (viola da gamba) made in France, most likely in the 1920’s by master violin, bass,  and bow maker Paul Bisch.  Bisch was born in Mirecourt  c.1893 and worked with many French makers, including Marius Didier at Thibouville-Lamy and Leon Mougenot. Working also with the masters, Caressa and Francais, he was exposed to fine examples of the old masters and the art of restoration.  In 1923, he opened a shop in Mirecourt with Christian Olivier where he oversaw all technical production. When the shop closed in 1929, Bisch opened his own workshop the following year.  Paul Bisch produced an estimated 500 instruments from student to concert instruments and won several instrument making awards and honors throughout his career.  He died in 1967.  Today, one sees an occasional violin, modern style string bass, or well-made bow by Bisch, but rarely a viola da gamba.   This instrument is quite large and heavy for a viola da gamba, comparable in a sense to one of the early 20th-century Pleyel harpsichords played by Wanda Landowska.  Its overall length is 49” or 52” to the end of the tailpiece.  The vibrating string length is 27 ½”(69.9cm), and it measures 26” at its widest point below the bout.  The body is 5” deep and the neck is 2” thick, quite substantial and considerably thicker than the necks of our later 20th-century “historical” instruments.   Included in this auction is an appropriately heavy 29” cased gamba bow by W. Seifert.  I apologize for not knowing my woods, but it looks like rosewood with an ebony frog and screw.  Presently the viol is housed in a fiberglas (?)  case that was intended for a large cello, but works incredibly well with this bass viol.  There’s a bit of extra space at the bottom below the tailpiece that makes a nice spot for a cleaning cloth.   CONDITION:  I’d have to say I consider this instrument to be in very good condition.  It has a beautiful rich tone particularly suited for continuo or baroque orchestral playing.  What’s wrong?  It needs a new set of strings and it has the minor dings and scratches you’d expect to find on an 80-year-old instrument.  When I found it, the back was separated up the center and the bridge had minor damage.  I had it restored… complete functionally, but still with a few surface scratches.  (Please read this carefully.  I really don't want to scare anybody off from buying this beautiful instrument.  I will drop the instrument off anywhere in town that will pack and ship it.  I just don't know where to look, and my girlfriend is too sick to have me running all over town trying to find a carrier.) I hate to do this, but I've had so many problems estimating shipping costs lately that I am going request that the winning bidder arrange for his or her own carrier.  I will be glad to deliver the instrument to any shipping company in the San Jose/Santa Clara County area.   If you are interested in picking up the viol in person, I live about 45 minutes to an hour from Berkeley or San Francisco and about 30 minutes from Santa Cruz, Capitola, etc.   (FYI - I put the instrument and its case on a digital bathroom scale, and it weighed in at 22 lbs.  That's not too heavy, but the work will come in trying to find first someone to safely box it up and then a carrier that can handle a large awkward package.)  I'm guessing that finding an appropriate shipping box and then, in a worst case scenario, sending it to  Vermont will run between $75-$100. We could probably strike adjust the final selling price to make up for the shipping.  Please feel free to e-mail me at gwrule@yahoo.com if you have any questions or comments. Sorry, but I do not use PayPal.  Money Orders or Cashiers/Certified cheques are preferred. Place a Bid!