American bass viol
Introduction 1861 Yankee Bass Viol in the Metropolitan Museum of ArtThe '''American bass viol''', also called a ''church bass'' or ''Yankee bass viol'', is a type of bowed string instrument which enjoyed popularity in early 19th century New England for use in aiding Puritan congregational singers. In its time of common use, the instrument was referred to as a ''bass viol'', despite the fact that it more closely resembles a large violoncello than a bass viola da gamba (also known as a bass viol). The size and form of these instruments varies; many are  uniquely proportioned folk instruments.The earliest dated example of a church bass is from the maker Benjamin Crehore, made in Massachusetts in 1788.A particularly notable double bass luthier, Abraham Prescott, is known to have made 500 to 600 church basses, the earliest example dating from 1809.With the rising popularity of the reed organ in the 1840s, church basses fell into disuse.
References
External links * A large collection of American bass viols at MFA, Boston*  The Crehore 1788 church bass * Musician Dean Ferrell performing on a Prescott church bass