Neville
is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards in his work with
instruments.
He maintains an interest in educating players on the functioning and
maintenance of their instruments and continues to contribute to the
international community through his wonderful work with instruments
and his generosity of spirit.
Neville
was a pupil of Mr Gimpel Solomon for 10 years in which time he focused
on the principals of design and construction methods used by the Italian
master violin makers. Mr. Solomon is master maker and restorer and
an authority on Italian Instruments dedicated to the protection and
care of the violin family. Neville credits Mr Solomon as a great source
of inspiration and respects his standard in craftsmanship and teaching
as of the highest order.
In 1977 Neville created the SASE bass. Possibly the 1st semi acoustic standup electric bass created. The SASE is now established as the semi-acoustic bass played and admired internationally.
In
1982 Neville was inducted as a member of the master craftsman's guild.
As
a double bass player some groups Neville has performed with
are
Dusty Springfeild, Shirley Bassey, Jean
Luc Ponty, Tony Bennett, Gary Burton, Nucleus, Sun Tredder & Caparius.
Neville
gave lectures and workshops at the 1st international Double Bass competition
in the Isle Of Mann. This competition featured many of the worlds
foremost classical Double Bass players.
Neville
has gained profound insight into making and restoring Double Basses
and Cello's through vast experience and dedicated study over thirty-five
years.
Neville Whitehead is possibly the only double bass and
cello luthier in the world who (with the exception of strings) makes
every part of his instruments by hand (including his much sought after
Whitehead gears and endpins).
Neville's work in making, setting up, repairing and restoring
double basses and cellos has attracted much acclaim. Whitehead instruments
are played in Orchestras, Bands and solo performance around the world
to the delight of audiences and players alike.
Neville
has made or worked on instruments for or by the following;
•Makers
Amati,Gaspar
Da Solo,
Maggini, Kennedy,Gaudagnini, Ruggeri,
Locki Hill, Lott, Brown,
Baker, Claudot, Gand and many others.
•Institutions
The Academy
of St. Martin in the Fields, The Birmingham Symphony Orchestra,
The London Symphony Orchestra, The
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra,
The Australian Chamber Orchestra
•Double
bass players
Marc
Johnson- Bill Evans
Professor John Gray- Former principal bassist of The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields,
Former head of double bass Education at The Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Rodney Slatford- Teacher & Performer
Stanley Clarke- Chick Corea,
George Duke
Eddie Gomez- Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Steps
Ahead
Andrew Meisel- Associate principal
Double Bass The Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra
Tom
Martin- Teacher and principal Double Bassist of various orchestras
Lloyd Swanton- The Necks, The Catholics, Bernie McGann Trio
George Rubino- Bow Maker, Teacher and Double Bassist
David Tolley- This
& That
Hugh Fraser - Freelance musician
Jack Thorncraft- Jack Thorncraft
Trio, Jim Kelly, Steve Russell
Ed Gaston-Jazz Bassist
Phil Chen- Rod Stewart, Jeff
Beck, Ernest Ranglin
Dill Katz (Dave Vandell)- Session
musician
Klaus Stoll- Former Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
and Double Bass soloist
Wayne Ford-Jazz Bassist
Clayton Thomas Double bassist, the now now improvisation festival
Lynn
Hannings- Bow Maker & Double Bassist
Thierry Fossemalle-F.A.T.S-(Thierry
Fossemalle,David Addes,Scott Tinkler,Greg Sheehan)
Trevor Hutchinson-Waterboys, Lunasa
Alex Hewetson-DIG,Baecastuff
Liz Frencham-Jigzag
And
many great others....
