Lemur Music - Emanuel Wilfer Basses

Lemur Music Gallery of Fine Instruments - Emanuel Wilfer Basses

Emanuel Wilfer is a family-operated business that has made basses for four generations. When World War II redrew the map of Western Europe, many musical instrument makers were expelled from their homeland and cast adrift. The Wilfer family was lucky in that they were already exporting to the US and so had a financial base upon which to build a new workshop in Western Germany, where they still live and work today.

Four generations of business means four generations of wood, a key ingredient for making fine basses. And with such a varied supply of materials, Wilfer offers a mind-boggling array of sizes, shapes and degrees of fanciness as well as color and varnish options. It would take nearly a year to sample them all if you tried one per day.

Although the CONSERVATORY, EDELWEISS, GENTLEMAN JAZZ, and the FOUNDATION are the staples of our in-stock Wilfer offerings, our special relationship with Wilfer allows us to arrange for many other models and options. Depending on the purpose, we have requested different varnish formulations that are harder and bring out a brighter tone. We specify special graduation of the tops to bring out a deeper, fuller sound. Custom tuning machines, thicker fingerboards, deeper ribs, taller bridges, shorter string lengths, slimmer necks…we even request the use of special tools to bring out the smallest nuance of tone. Each of the Wilfer models we have designed is aimed toward a specific purpose. See which one fits your needs:

These fine instruments are usually in stock - please call for availability.

Please contact Lemur Music to discuss further details about our in stock instruments or to place a custom order. 800-246-2277 (US and Canada only), or 949-493-8323.

Click on the images of each bass in order to view the gallery photo's.

	E. Wilfer (BASTOCK171) #13, 4/4 Gamba, Möhrendorf Germany Pricing & Availability Even among Wilfer basses, this is something special. The maple of the back and sides is mildly, but very evenly flamed. The spruce of the top is very tightly and evenly grained. The large Gamba-shaped body is comfortable to play, and the string length is kept to a playable mensure, less than 42". The real beauty of this bass, however, is in the sound. When musicians come into our shop in search of a big sounding bass, this Wilfer flatback is a consistent winner. The fundamentals are resounding, yet there remains a clear crispness in the timbre. Great for Jazz, great for orchestra. Specifications: Upper bout width: 21 1/2" Middle bout width: 15" Lower bout width: 26 1/2" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 9 1/8" Playing string length: 41 7/8"
	Emanuel Wilfer (BASTOCK134) UPPER REGISTER 7/8 Gamba- flame f-holes This bass has become a favorite in the shop and we will be sorry to see it go. It has a very full bottom register, and a tenor range with excellent depth and projection. The maple has great figure and the varnish has an understated satin texture to it. Note the one-of-a-kind f-holes. At this moment, this bass is the loudest pizz bass in the shop and has a responsive character under the bow, especially great for low register spicatto. A real looker and player. Specifications: Upper bout width: 20" Middle bout width: 15" Lower bout width: 26 7/8" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 8 7/8" Playing string length: 41 1/2"
	Emanuel Wilfer (BASTOCK090) Model 14 - 7/8 Bussetto Dark oil varnish and a unique outline make this bass a sight to behold. Beautiful antique brass machines complete the picture. The body dimensions, though not large, are ample to produce strong fundamentals all the way down to the low “B”. This 5 string bass has the rare distinction of being small enough for most people. It could be a college bass for a 5 string orchestra student or be equally at home in a bass section. Specifications: Upper bout width: 19 1/2" Lower bout width: 26 1/2" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 9" Playing string length: 42"
	Emanuel Wilfer (BA204) Upper Register Pricing & Availability We recently requested a variation in shape that was a real success – a ¾ upper bout with a 4/4 lower bout. This bass projects a loud, full sound yet gives easy access to the upper register. A great professional jazz axe delivering a strong acoustic sound yet friendly for an acrobatic soloist. Or an outstanding college and conservatory bass for a tall person. Nicely flamed woods.
	Emanuel Wilfer (BA202) Foundation, 4/4 - 5 String Gamba Pricing & Availability This is a five string bass that can really anchor a section. A full-size gamba shape instrument with a deep curve on the fingerboard and bridge that makes room for your bow hand while giving access to the interior strings. Deep, ribs, tall bridge nad a big, full sound- everything about this bass is big except the length (42") and the price. Moderately flamed woods, dark color. Specifications: Upper bout width: 21 1/4" Lower bout width: 27" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 9 1/4" Playing string length: 41 1/4"
	Emanuel Wilfer (BA203) Gentleman Jazz Pricing & Availability The Gentleman Jazz is a lot like the Edelweiss, except bigger. This is a 7/8 bass with a playable 42" string length. Violin corners, antique amber color and medium-fancy woods make for a beautiful instrument that can really move some air. If you’ve dreamed of playing piano trio gigs without an amp, this could be your bass. It is also great as a four-string arco bass for regional orchestra section or serious musicals. This instrument is sometimes available in Gamba Shape. Ask for availability. Playing string length: 42"
	Emanuel Wilfer (BA205) Edelweiss Pricing & Availability Fancy violin corners, antique amber color and more select woods remind us of a beautiful flower. The 3/4 dimensions are enhanced to strengthen the sound, while a special varnish adds color to the upper register. The sound is sweet and a great choice for a serious student, a jazz musician or anyone who just has to have violin corners. Specifications: Upper bout width: 20" Lower bout width: 25 1/2" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 9" Playing string length: 41 1/4"
	Emanuel Wilfer (BA201) 3/4 - The Conservatory Pricing & Availability Elegant gamba shape, well-selected spruce, lightly flamed maple for the back, sides and neck, and a dark varnish make for a great bass at a great price. The standard 3/4 dimensions are enhanced to strengthen the sound and make an instrument which is accessible from top to bottom.
	Emanuel Wilfer Model 12 Violin Corner Violin Corner Bass - 2002 Sold! No longer available. We have had so much success with the Wilfer violin cornered basses that we keep ordering them - with increasingly flamed wood, and with more special features that make the combination of Wilfer and Lemur impossible to beat in this price range. This bass has beautifully flamed maple on the back and sides, and is varnished with a new, harder formula that permits the instrument to vibrate more freely in every frequency range. We have also specified a deeper rib to promote more support and depth in the lower register. The initial setup was done with Spirocore orchestra strings, and the result is loud and full, with a biting growl . This bass was so successful that it has become a regular part of our Wilfer offering, the Edelweiss model Specifications: Upper bout width: 19 3/4" Lower bout width: 25" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 9" Playing string length: 42"
	Emanuel Wilfer Model 15 Bass with Lion Head LIMITED EDITION Sold! No longer available. This is a very finely crafted ¾ size gamba instrument made with the finest woods available in Wilfer’s four-generation wood cache. The photos included in this Gallery presentation are from the particular piece now in stock, and it is different from the previous examples of the same model. As has become our habit, we requested that this bass be constructed with deeper ribs which noticeably enhance the low register. In addition, we have waited more than 6 months to market this bass in order to allow time for the traditional oil varnish to harden. As a result, this bass is ripe for picking. The sound is strong and deep, but balanced with sweet, clear mid- and upper-registers. Specifications: Upper bout width: 19 3/8" Lower bout width: 25 13/16" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 8 5/16" Playing string length: 41"
	Emanuel Wilfer Model 12 Violin Corner Bass Sold! No longer available. We have had so much success with the Wilfer violin cornered basses that we keep ordering them - with increasingly flamed wood, and with more special features that make the combination of Wilfer and Lemur impossible to beat in this price range. This bass has beautifully flamed maple on the back and sides, and is varnished with a new, harder formula that permits the instrument to vibrate more freely in every frequency range. We have also specified a deeper rib to promote more support and depth in the lower register. The initial setup was done with Spirocore orchestra strings, and the result is loud and full, with a biting growl . This bass was so successful that it has become a regular part of our Wilfer offering, the Edelweiss model Specifications: Upper bout width: 19 5/8" Lower bout width: 25 5/16" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 9" Playing string length: 42 1/4"
	Emanuel Wilfer Model 11 Violin Corner Bass Sold! No longer available. When specifying this instrument, we were imagining a tall person looking for a huge sounding jazz bass. This is it. Though not too large for a 6' tall person, this bass has a deeper rib and a longer string than 3/4 size. The attractive character of the wood shows through a dark amber varnish which is thin enough to allow a rich brightness to compliment a sound that can only be described as robust Specifications: Upper bout width: 20 5/8" Lower bout width: 27 1/8" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 9" Playing string length: 43 1/8"
	Emanuel Wilfer Gamba Model 10 ¾ Bass Sold! No longer available. Wilfer basses are part of our standard product line and we keep these instruments in stock. Shown is the Model 10, the least expensive of their line-up. Upgrades to larger size, violin corners, more deeply flamed wood, or 5 strings are all possible. Other variations in dimensions or color can also be made with minimal charges. Specifications: Upper bout width: 19" or 48 cm" Lower bout width: 26" or 66 cm" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 7 3/4" or 19.5 cm" Playing string length: 41 1/2 " or 105 cm"
	E. Wilfer (BASTOCK172) #13 7/8 5-string, Möhrendorf Germany Sold! No longer available. This is an instrument we do not typically carry, but can special ordered from Wilfer. The one pictured has already been sold. Specifications: Upper bout width: 20 1/4" Middle bout width: 14 1/4" Lower bout width: 27 3/4" Rib depth (inc. top & back): 9" Playing string length: 41 5/8"