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Download the rules and entry form for the 2013 ISB Maker's Competition, June 3-4, 2013.
Fifth Maker's Competition
With the double bass reaching new heights of performance mastery, the International Society of Bassists launched a biennial competition in 2003 to inspire the creation of outstanding new concert-quality instruments. The 2011 ISB Makers Competition took place at San Francisco State University in San Francisco, California.
Chairing the competition for the fifth consecutive competition was Dustin Art Williams, a graduate of the Violin Making School of America and owner of Williams Fine Violins & Luthier Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Dustin, who founded the competition, was honored by the ISB with its "Friend of the Bass" Special Recognition Award, for his contributions to the bass makers' community over the past decade.
Sponsors of the 2011 ISB Maker's Competition were Robertson & Sons Violin Shop, Inc. and Mooradian Cover Company.
Double basses entered in the competition were completed after June, 2009. The identities of the instrument makers were withheld from the judges by covering up any labels, brands, or stamped marks. Once the instruments were entered into the contest, each was given a randomly assigned number to insure impartiality. Judges were instructed to identify those double basses having the greatest artistic merit, technical execution, tone quality, and ease of playing.
Workmanship
Double bass judging consisted of two quite different but very important factors: workmanship and tone. Workmanship judges for 2011 were highly respected and experienced professional luthiers employed full time in the making, repairing, and restoration of violin family instruments. The panel included Boyd Poulsen from Sandia Park, New Mexico, chair, Thomas Croen from Walnut Creek, California, and Paul Hart Mt. Pleasant, Utah.
In the evaluation round, each instrument was evaluated by each workmanship judge independently and without discussion with the other judges. Any instruments that received a recommendation to advance to the medal round from at least one judge were considered for a Certificate of Workmanship. In the medal round, those instruments that were recommended for a Certificate were then reviewed by all judges. Any instruments which received a unanimous vote for superior workmanship were awarded a Silver Medal, the highest award possible for workmanship. Instruments were evaluated in six different workmanship categories: setup, varnish, modeling, scroll, construction and overall impression on the judge.
Out of a record 25 entries from seven countries, seven received awards for workmanship. Those who won a Certificate of Workmanship were Andrew Carruthers, Stefan Krattenmacher, Mario Lamarre, Nick Lloyd and David Yorgason.
Silver Medal for Workmanship winners were Joseph Gurbaugh / Sigrun Seifert and Daniel Hachez.
Tone Judging
The other half of the double bass instrument judging process was a thorough evaluation of each instrument's tone. The three tone judges represented the highest standards and diverse musical styles found in double bass performance today: renowned jazz bassist Chuck Israels, double bass soloist and professor of bass at Butler University David Murray, and Kurt Muroki, artist member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
Judging each instrument's tone and playability, all three judges played and evaluated each instrument for concert quality, exceptional tone and ease of play. Those selected for a Certificate of Tone were then considered for a Silver Medal, the highest possible award for tone.
Out of the 25 entrants, ten received awards for tone. Those who won a Certificate of Tone were George Martin, Hanna Mayne, Steven Reiley, Chris Roberts, Sergio Scaramelli and Arnold Schnitzer.
Silver Medal for Tone winners were William Lakeberg, Nick Lloyd, Benedict Puglisi and Aaron Reiley.
Gold Medal Winner
For an instrument to receive the coveted Gold Medal, it must have been recommended by all judges for a Silver Medal in both the workmanship and tone categories. In the history of the ISB Makers Competition there have been only three Gold Medals awarded. Winning his third Gold Medal in the 2011 ISB Maker's Competition was Daniel Hachez. With this third win, Mr. Hachez retires from the competition with a Master Bass Luthier designation from the International Society of Bassists, and becomes eligible to judge future competitions.
Convention Favorite Awards
After the workmanship and tone judging was completed during the first day of the ISB convention, the instruments were available for public viewing. Convention attendees were encouraged to cast a vote for their favorite double bass using any criteria for their selection. A Convention Favorite award was given to the double bass earning the most votes.
Winner of the Convention Favorite Award was Daniel Hachez. Convention Favorite honorable mentions went to Alex Friedman, Aaron Reiley and George Martin.
Competition Basses Sound Off!
In addition to the record-setting number of entries, another first for the 2011 competition was an opportunity for the entries to be played by the tone judges in a nearly two-hour "sound off" event from the stage of the McKenna Theatre at San Francisco State University. Audience members were able to hear the competition basses in the context of a performing arts venue, and to match the names of the makers with the entries, which had been anonymous up to the announcement of award winners the night before. All agreed that hearing the instruments in a concert hall was an invaluable experience for both luthiers and audience members alike. Despite the challenges of moving over two dozen basses safely on and off stage, the sound-off event will hopefully become a permanent part of the ISB Maker's Competition going forward.
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