0038 hawkes panormo 1914

Hawkes & Son (late 19th C – mid 20th C) 

The company made three models of basses:-

1. Panormo - swell back, Panormo outline, top grade, H purfle on the button, made in England
2. Concert - swell back, Panormo outline, mid grade, made in France
3. Professor - flat back, outside linings, lowest grade, made in Germany

William Henry Hawkes (1830-1900) started Hawkes and Co in London in 1860. WH Hawkes played the trumpet and the business focussed on importing brass instruments to London. A few years later the company was joined by French conductor Jules Riviere, and the business changed name to Riviere and Hawkes. In 1880 the business sold basses made by Gand and imported to the UK. These were the Concert and Professor models.

Several years later Riviere sold his share and in 1889 the company name was changed to Hawkes and son.

A new model was created in 1890 when Hawkes got access to the Vincenzo Panormo bass owned by Charles Winterbottom (see The English Double Bass pp426-429).

In 1924 the company bought a large site in Edgware and the factory employed over 200 workers. Boosey bought the business in 1930 and the name to changed to Boosey and Hawkes which is still trading today.

This bass has its original neck, machine heads and label. Its a Panormo model, made of the best materials and built in England. Its in close to mint condition and sounds like a rich dark English bass. Many Hawkes basses were made for the Army - this bass was made in 1914, the start of WW1. I wonder if it performed at military events throughout the war and beyond.

Its heritage is etched onto the machine heads with the names of the last three owners.

This bass is great for jazz, orchestral or solo playing, albeit on the large side. Its a seriously great instrument.

Reference - The English Double Bass, Tom and George Martin and Martin Lawrence