Italian Double Bass - 19th C. Carved walnut back

For sale is this attractive 19th C. unnamed N. Italian double bass in superb condition. Fully restored circa 2000 in a very reputable Canadian shop, this instrument was enjoyed in a major American orchestra in recent decades.

This is an easy-playing, high-quality orchestral bass of appealingly petite dimensions, with generous rib depth. The reedy spruce of top, and tonally warm walnut of back and ribs, offer plenty of section-contributing basso, along with excellent pitch clarity that projects to the back of the hall. Shoulder offers medium playing ease in accessing thumb position. The neck is fittingly petite and addictively comfortable.

Top plate is 6-piece spruce (not uncommon in old Italian basses), very well repaired, and long-time stable. The back is carved 2-piece native Italian walnut of generous arching height. The ribs and scroll are also walnut, the latter grafted onto a handsomely figured maple neck. Both plates are unpurfled and unetched. Workmanship inside and out is top quality, both in original make, and repairs of the normal old-bass variety. The varnish is a velvety clear over red-brown ground, and polishes and holds a wonderful luster.

In a bass section, this bass is warm and blending, and a major contributor of clarity and wide dynamic range, as it also positively responds to being driven hard. A wonderful bass to not only play, but to have to carry, as it is relatively lightweight. Comes with a quality bag in excellent condition.

String length - 41.25”

Top & back plate lengths - 42”

Bout widths - 18.75, 12.8, 23.75”

Rib depth - 7.3 - 8.3 “