Francisco España, c.1850
Francisco Pedro España (1793-1877) was a luthier based in Barcelona, Spain. He began his luthier apprenticeship with Josep Messeguer, opening his own shop with Jean-Louis Thérèse around 1820, until they parted ways around 1835. España was a highly successful luthier who managed a workshop employing several craftsmen. Alongside violins, violas, cellos, double basses, and pianos, he produced exquisitely decorated guitars using exotic woods.
This particular example was crafted in Barcelona c.1850 and features a spruce top paired with a beautifully figured regional wood for the back and sides, and a maple scroll. Recent restoration work has been completed, including top-off repairs, a scroll graft, new individual brass tuning machines, and an adjustable bridge. This beautiful smaller bass has a warm, full sound for its size that would be an excellent orchestral, chamber, solo, or period instrument!