Anton Bachmann

History

Anton Bachmann (1716-1800) was born in 1716 and died in 1800 in Berlin, Germany. He served as a repairer to the Prussian court and was a fairly prolific maker, also working as a guitar maker. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he became a royal Prussian court instrument maker at the age of 30, holding a reputation that, in Lütgendorff's view, his work did not entirely justify. Lütgendorff notes that his violas and cellos are still highly valued by orchestra musicians for their strong tone, though they are described as sounding 'raw'. Bachmann reportedly never had good models or good wood, which Lütgendorff suggests was difficult to obtain in Berlin at that time. He is also noted for attempting to pass off some of his violins as copies of Stradivari, leading Lütgendorff to conclude that he had never seen a genuine Stradivari instrument. Several inventions, often attributed to his son, are believed to have originated with Anton Bachmann, including guitars with hammer action. His most enduring invention, however, was the screw mechanism for the heads of basses, which became known in 1778 and remains in use today. His second son, Friedrich Wilhelm B., reportedly learned violin making but pursued a career as a professional musician (violinist) and Kapellmeister, later engaging in the trade of musical instruments from 1797 onwards.

Craft

• Models: Anton Bachmann utilized Cremonese models featuring a pinched arch.
• Workmanship & Varnish: John Dilworth describes his workmanship and varnish as 'decent'. However, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff offers a contrasting view, stating that his arching was stiff, abruptly falling off towards the cheeks, and too thick in the breast. Lütgendorff also characterized his varnish as dull and of an 'ugly brown color'.
• Materials: Lütgendorff notes that Bachmann never used good models or good wood, attributing the latter difficulty to the scarcity of quality timber in Berlin during his time.
• Surviving Instruments: The royal collection of old musical instruments in Berlin preserves a Viola da Gamba from 1746, noted for its better execution (catalogue number 831). The Schwerin court chapel holds a Violoncello from 1757.

Legacy

• Inventions: Anton Bachmann's invention of the screw mechanism for the heads of basses, which became known in 1778, has been preserved and is still in use today.
• Reputation: His violas and cellos are still highly esteemed by orchestra musicians for their powerful tone.
• Museum Holdings: A Viola da Gamba from 1746, noted for its superior craftsmanship, is preserved in the royal collection of old musical instruments in Berlin (No. 831).
• Institutional Holdings: A Violoncello from 1757 is held by the Schwerin court chapel.

Further Information

• Label: An example of his label reads: 'Antonius Bachmann / Königl:Preuss Hof instrumentenmacher / in Berlin 1756'.
• Location: He worked in Berlin, Germany.
• Inventions: Bachmann is credited with several inventions, including guitars with hammer action (though often attributed to his son) and, most notably, the screw mechanism for the heads of basses, introduced in 1778.

Summary

Anton Bachmann (1716-1800) was a prolific Royal Prussian court instrument maker in Berlin, known for his violas and cellos, which are still valued by orchestra musicians for their strong tone. Despite some critical assessments of his craftsmanship and materials, he is credited with significant inventions, most notably the enduring screw mechanism for the heads of basses, introduced in 1778.