0038 hawkes panormo 1914

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

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. In 1889 the company name was changed to Hawkes and son. 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.

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 of England
3. Professor - flat back, outside linings, lowest grade, made in Germany

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