String Instrument Maker and Restorer

Godfrey Sheppard - Bass Maker

Godfrey Sheppard was born in Worthing, West Sussex on the 10th. January 1944. At a very early age he studied music and when he was ten he was asked by his school to take up the cello. He had always wanted to play the double-bass but was not allowed to do so until his fourteenth birthday. He then took to the instrument with great relish and was soon in demand by all the local orchestras and jazz bands.

When he left school he was offered, and accepted, a place at the "Central School of Arts" in London where he spent six happy years learning various arts and crafts, and it was then that he decided to switch his talents to instrument making and repairing. He has since been serving the South of England successfully for many years, having made and repaired instruments for some of the finest players. It is a credit to his craftsmanship that all are being played professionally in various parts of the World, by both orchestral and jazz musicians.

The photos show two double-basses that Godfrey Sheppard has recently made. The top one is patterned along the lines of a "Giambattista Abbati" of Modena, Italy c1780n and as can be seen has a very interesting and beautiful shape, with sloping shoulders that make it easy to get around those high notes. Varnish is dark on this instrument, but if a customer so wishes, this can be changed to suit personal preferences.

The bottom photograph also shows a newly built instrument that is loosely copied from "Lorenzo Storioni"of Cremona, Italy c1780. Again, this is a very easy shape for playing purposes with the same gently sloping shoulders and once again the varnish is the optional dark version.

Godfrey Sheppard, as a true professional, would be happy to discuss the making of an instrument of any design, and anyone wishing further information should contact him through the address and telephone number below.

CONTACT:

Godfrey Sheppard
22 Hillside Road,
Lancing
West Sussex
BN15 OJY, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1903 755623
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