Italian Bass

[Peter Koyander]

I have recently acquired an Italian Chamber bass. Its had a new neck at some stage but the body looks pretty old . Comments and observations welcome!

Dimensions are:
Top bout width 18 1/2 ins (470)
Mid bout width 14 ins (360)
Lower bout width 23 ins (580)
Vert dim of C bout 9 1/2 ins (240)

Rib depth generally 8 1/2 ins (210)
Rib at neck 6 1/4 ins (170)

Body length to base of button 39 1/2 ins (1000)
String length 40 1/2 ins (1020)

Photos to follow

[Ken Smith]

Please show the actual bass, Clear straight ID shots.

[Peter Koyander]

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/1af485b5-c16d-4c90-874b-a2b4bedb63fd_zps1c88f763.jpghttp://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/6eff94bc-a0c5-4c09-ac33-4acdc12535c4_zpsbd8dd576.jpg

Click below for more photos

:) http://s1292.beta.photobucket.com/user/peakletts/library/ :)






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[Peter Koyander]

I have used a mirror to look inside and it has a carved bass bar integral with the top which at 7mm is what you might call 'robust'. The sound is pretty choked and there are a number of things that I would welcome opinions on.

1/. The neck stand is 21mm from the top to the underside of the fingerboard, and from the Top to the bridge between A and D, is 5 3/4 inches ( 142 mm ). So question is would a new raised fingerboard work wonders for the tone by introducing more tension to the top.

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/0adef0db-79db-49c8-9299-4c8c7b057808_zps66c916f1.jpg http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/dc01e642-aa1e-47a9-9ee0-305b18736e8c_zpscfc1c2bf.jpg

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/9694c790-ed38-4172-8d5d-79b36d673dee_zps6d376d24.jpg http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/eba4041d-9828-4f1d-83f3-7b73de11132f_zps914616b9.jpg

[Peter Koyander]

The bridge looks like it has been recycled from a 4/4 . The carved bass bar is lined up with the f hole on the very edge and looks to diverge from the centre line of the bass. There is no evidence of any deflection on the top either laterally or longitudinally . I have marked up the position of the bass bar with a china graph pencil and indeed the sound post. The centre / centre of the bridge feet is 4 1/2 inches ( 115mm) whereas the centre of the bass bar - centre of sound post is 5 3/4 inches (145 mm) - a difference of over an inch ( 30mm).

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/4cb4f040-0e65-4714-965a-f102904449c2_zpsf7db2b2d.jpg http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/3afba5c3-a03d-425b-aaad-27985348bf83_zps38d27fae.jpg

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/c29d9cd1-a499-4c83-b7c9-507db0642f0c_zps043da878.jpg http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/5df5b581-c8cd-4e8b-919d-e0f34fb49d5e_zps0d076f9a.jpg

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/2837729e-3836-4cc5-98f6-a183a6fb842a_zps4e7036ef.jpg http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b580/peakletts/7af6dca9-2f96-4c4c-a0e1-1bdadfa19f06_zps1ce53ea6.jpg

[Ken Smith]

Strange looking bass. The corners, c-bouts FFs, back style, etc., all looks like different ideas thrown into one bass.

[Anselm Hauke]

reminds me of this: http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?t=1943

[Ken Smith]

reminds me of this: http://www.smithbassforums.com/showthread.php?t=1943

This is the second bass I have seen recently that looks like a copy of my bass.

[Peter Koyander]

Yes, it's unusual looking isn't it - a curiosity as to its background. ...any thoughts as to where to go next with this?

[Ken Smith]

Yes, it's unusual looking isn't it - a curiosity as to its background. ...any thoughts as to where to go next with this?

Pics of the sides and all angles of the Scroll shot straight on? That might help too.

Also, ask the shops over there like Tom Martin, Contrabass Shop and Thwaites. See what they think seeing the bass in person.

The deep carved edges look modern Italian to me but the lower bout ratio makes me think this was not an experienced professional bass maker. Some of the work looks nice but if the makers idea was to make a 1/2 and 1/2 bass with a normal upper and squatted lower, this is what you have.

Maybe it's even English!

[Peter Koyander]

Hi Ken ,

Been a long while since I last posted. Here are some photos http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/peakletts/media/12_zps4f939b80.jpg.html?sort=3&o=29

Dont know if any of this helps.

Peter

[Ken Smith]

Hi Ken ,

Been a long while since I last posted. Here are some photos http://s1292.photobucket.com/user/peakletts/media/12_zps4f939b80.jpg.html?sort=3&o=29

Dont know if any of this helps.

Peter

I have no idea what it is. If the price seems cheap, then it might even be a faked Hungarian bass.