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| The range of instruments offered here reflects my close affinity with a peculiarly rich aspect of my English heritage. The viols made in 16th and 17th century England were highly prized throughout Europe. I have examined many surviving examples and collected a vast amount of data, both technical and aesthetic, from which my own instruments derive more or less directly. |
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Trebles |
| After JOHN ROSE, London c. 1580 |
SL 36.5cm
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A fine consort leader with a full, sweet tone and even response from top to bottom.
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| After JOHN HOSKIN, 1609 |
SL 40.0cm
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| Copy of a larger original formerly in my possession. Perfect for lower pitch work, especially with all-gut bass strings. |
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Tenors |
| After JOHN ROSE, London c. 1580 |
SL 55.5cm |
| A well proportioned tenor excellent for consort
or lyra way. |
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| After HENRY JAYE, London c. 1625 |
SL 45.5cm |
Two instruments of this size by Jaye survive, so it must have had a function in English music making of the period.
Tuned in A or C this is either a high pitch tenor or an alto. |
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Small Basses |
| After JOHN ROSE, London 1598 |
SL 62.0cm |
| The catalog of the Ashmolean Museum, where the original instrument is preserved, describes it as a lyra viol, and it is certainly a good size for playing the lyra way. |
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| After HENRY JAYE, London 1624 |
SL 68.5cm |
| The original, now in Paris, was converted to a seven-string, but it works much better with its original six! |
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| After BARAK NORMAN, London 1696 |
SL 69.0cm |
Norman made many instruments like this one, and so have
I.
It is my most popular all purpose bass. |
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Mid-Size Basses |
| After JOHN ROSE, London 1580 |
SL 70.0cm |
| Only the body of this one survives, and as it is just a bit bigger than the Norman I give it a slightly longer string length. |
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| After WILLIAM ADDISON, London 1670 |
SL 70.0cm |
| This is fine solo bass with plenty of sound. I make it, like the original, with a carved belly. |
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Consort Basses |
| After JOHN ROSE, London 1580 |
SL 74.0cm |
| This is the model for both the treble and tenor above. The simple but elegant original has clearly been very much played upon - always a good testimony to its worth as an instrument. |
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| After HENRY JAYE, London 1619 |
SL 76.0cm |
| Jaye actually worked in a part of London called
Southwark, and so did I. I also owned the stunning original for a time, so
I feel intimately connected to this one. It is not an instrument for the faint-hearted or the small-fingered! |
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Email: john@pringleviols.com
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