Viola da Gamba Society of America

1644 ?

Bass

Ernst

Busch ?

# of Strings:

6

Place Made:

D, Nuremberg ?

Body Shape:

Viol

Current Location:

USA, New Haven, CT

Sound Holes:

F

Collection:

Yale University

Head:

Male

Catalog Number:

4672.60 (formerly 282)

Label Text:

Ernst Bu[sch] / in Nürnberg [printed]

Measurements:

Body Length:

64.5

String Length:

63.2

Rib Depth:

12.8

Upper Width:

Middle Width:

Bottom Width:

31

20.7

36.1

Previous Owner:

Belle Skinner, Holyoke, Mass. (No. 53)

Information Source:

TGM visit 10/93; Martius & Schulze 1991, pp. 172, 181

Literature:

Photographs:

Recordings:

Auctions:

Comments:

Martius & Schulze 1991, pp. 172, 181; Skinner 1933, p. 126

On museum’s website (FB+S [color]); [by TGM: FB+S, bridge]

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Martius & Schulze 1991 dimensions 116.2, 66.0, 31.3/20.8/36.4, 13.6, 62.5; probably converted to cello, then back to gamba; neck, fingerboard and tailpiece modern; some of their information from N. Renouf, New Haven. Label date 1644 from Skinner Catalogue, not visible to me. Unusual bridge with 5 feet; very short tailpiece. Currently unfretted. Tourin: walnut back and ribs. Repair label: “Reparirt von / Aug. Schulz Nürnberg. / 1910” [printed except 10]