A 'real' Hungarian Bass

[Ken Smith]

I just got in an old Hungarian Bass (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/old-hungarian/) that looks so Italian, it would easily be marketed by some shops as an old Italian. This bass is not antiqued at all but was restored about two years ago. Seeing this Bass is educational for me as most of the Hungarian Basses we see are new instruments and/or antiqued modern fakes bearing Italian names with or without a label. This one dates from about 1890. The Scroll is beautiful. Have a look.
http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/old-hungarian/images/scroll-right.jpghttp://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/old-hungarian/images/front-full.jpg

[Eric Swanson]

Really beautiful! Thanks for sharing this.

[Ken Smith]

Really beautiful! Thanks for sharing this.

I took it to a rehearsal a few weeks ago with an Orchestra and it sounded so great. The bottom notes are fairly big sounding but clear and in a sweet way. Very surprising for a bass with these very individual dimensions.