DaSalo in new Double Bassist

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Anybody see the article and poster in the latest Double Bassist magazine? Stefan Krattenmacher did his usual stand-up job (no pun intended) on the history and details of the bass and its maker. There is also a half-size poster included with measurements, graduations, etc. The only historical data I found questionable was this: Gasparo DaSalo is listed as having been born 1539 or 1549; the bass is dated 1550. Wow, talk about a child prodigy! Anyway, it's quite an important bass, and beautiful (in an ugly sort of way).

[Ken Smith]

He has been listed as being born in 1542 and the earliest 'possible' Bass dating 1560. I wasn't there so I can't swear to this!

Arnold, thx for joining up. Jeff beat you to the punch by at least a day or so. Not your fault though because I called him at home and left him with the job of telling you..lol

Arnold, I will expect you and Jeff to head up this Italian stuff having worked on more great Basses between the two of you than just about any shops anywhere. The NY area is home to some of the greatest Basses to be found from the Philharmonic to the Met as well as visiting Orchestras to the tri-state area.

After we wet our whistle here I can gather up the names and data and put a compiled Sticky at the head of the Forum. I have done this with the English and Yankee info collected in the past. Now it's time for the Italians, French and German Schools to get some needed exposure.

[Marcus Johnson]

Oh man, I just picked up that issue before a road trip. I was a little disappointed that the poster was not inside the mag, but the article was fascinating nonetheless. Stefan K. really knocks himself out with the details.

I'm really looking forward to filling out my knowledge of historical basses in this section.

[Paul Warburton]

Oh man, I just picked up that issue before a road trip. I was a little disappointed that the poster was not inside the mag, but the article was fascinating nonetheless. Stefan K. really knocks himself out with the details.

I'm really looking forward to filling out my knowledge of historical basses in this section.

Marcus, I wonder if you can fill in your knowledge of Historical basses just using smiley faces ?

[Ken Smith]

>>d'Salo in my rack about 6 feet from me. Actually it had 2 appraisals over the years attributing it to Gasparo but the latest a few years ago names Lorenzo Storioni as the culprit. The Scroll looks Brescian to me all the way. The purfling is wide 3-banded. The Bass is Pear Shaped and has about a 44 1/4" string length if not more. That's where I have it set at the moment. The Back wood reminds me of Homer Mensch's Gagliano and the FFs, just breath taking. I doubt it is old enough to be a d'Salo but Storioni is a possibility at least by the age (c.1780).

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/DoubleBasses/images/tn_Storioni.jpg

This Bass is the ex-Bob Riccardi Guitar shaped Bass (http://www.riccardisviolinshop.com/south-jersey-bass-repair.htm) currently attributed to Storioni (http://www.kensmithbasses.com/DoubleBasses/Storioni/Storioni.htm). I played it back in October of last year and could not believe my ears. Bob was a gracious host and let me play both of his Basses that day. Tragically, Bob died suddenly a few weeks later in November. I just learned about a week ago that the Bass was still available as the other interested buyer had not yet 'pulled the trigger'. To make a long story short, I just brought the Bass home today and promised Mrs. Riccardi I would treat it with great respect. I will try playing it this week as I have a concert on Saturday. Sounds crazy as I have the solo part in Pulcinella not to mention we are also doing Dumbarton Oaks plus a couple other Brazillian (http://www.northpennsymphony.org/images/concert4.swf)type things. Call me krazy but this Bass has a sound that I have never felt before. The closest Basses were the Gagliano, Seraphin and an attr. Maggini. It is not a loud bass under the ear but a smooth sneaky penetrating organ sounding Bass.

[Paul Warburton]

My God !!!!!!!!!!!

[Ken Smith]

My God !!!!!!!!!!!

Paul, I played it last night in Orchestra. If you come to sit-in and play beside me one day as a guest, you will need a 'portable' bathroom..;) But that 'Depends (http://www.themedsupplyguide.com/adult-diapers/Images/depend_diaper.gif)' on which Bass I take out:eek:.. If it's the Storioni, I will let you know in advance so you can dress accordingly..lol:D:D

[Ken Smith]

My God !!!!!!!!!!!

PAUL'S BACK!!!!:D:D:D:D:D

[Anselm Hauke]

speaking of gasparo...
can anybody please (stefano senni?) translate this?
it´s a letter of stefano scarampella talking among others about a bass by gasparo bertolotti





(PS: hello rene! :-) )

[Ken Smith]

speaking of gasparo...
can anybody please (stefano senni?) translate this?
it´s a letter of stefano scarampella talking among others about a bass by gasparo bertolotti





(PS: hello rene! :-) )

Looks like an appraisal with measurements. Which of the few known d'Salos was it? Please, translate it and post measurements. We can compare it to the ones shown recently in Brescia and compare, maybe!

[Matthew Tucker]

29 March 1901

Esteemed Signore Bettoni

Firstly, I list the measurements of the instruments belonging to the widow Signore Pasini

Double Bass by Gasparo Bertoletti width 65cm length 2m
Two violas by Gasparo width 24cm, length 69cm
Two violins of the Gasparo school width 21cm, length 60cm
One Cello Scanfranchini width 46cm, length 1,31m
Cello Maggini called Viola da Gamba width 46cm, length 90cm

The Double Bass by Gasparo dates to around 1580 … [he goes on to date the other instruments] … All these instruments are of total insurance value of 9000 Lire.

As far as the naming goes, the poor Cavalier Pasini wrote a card in his own hand for every single instrument indicating the maker and the period.
When I am next coming to Rome I shall let you know several days beforehand. Toward the end of April I should be able to be at your disposition.

It is my honour to salute you with great esteem

Stefano Scarampella

[Anselm Hauke]

matthew,

you are a multi-talented man

thank you!

[Anselm Hauke]

here you can see and hear dragonettis gasparo, played by giuseppe ettore (solobass from la scala, milano)
http://dailymotion.virgilio.it/user/sakura2670/video/x9elth_valzer1dragonetti_music

[Pino Cazzaniga]

here you can see and hear dragonettis gasparo, played by giuseppe ettore (solobass from la scala, milano)
http://dailymotion.virgilio.it/user/sakura2670/video/x9elth_valzer1dragonetti_music

And here is his website http://www.ettorre.it/

[Anselm Hauke]

Some pics of a very nice gasparo can be seen here:
http://www.danstyffe.com/press/gallery.html

[Matthew Tucker]

Better here

http://www.sparebankstiftelsen.no/id/2529?instrument=21

if you use "downloadhelper" or something like that you can download some beautiful hi-res pictures out of the flash displayer.

[Anselm Hauke]

Better here

http://www.sparebankstiftelsen.no/id/2529?instrument=21

if you use "downloadhelper" or something like that you can download some beautiful hi-res pictures out of the flash displayer.

thanks matthew. can you please explain how to download the pics out of the flashplayer?
do you have a link to "downloadhelper"?

[Matthew Tucker]

downloadbelper is a firefox extension/ addon. install it then load the big images and you download zem from ze downloadhelper icon.

[Anselm Hauke]

thanks, i will try this

edit:
i went to the addon site and there are many different downloadhelpers... which one should i choose?

[John Cubbage]

Mr. Matthew Tucker did a wonderful job translating the 1901 letter from Italian to English. My Italian is not nearly on a level as his. You may be interested to know that the letterhead stated:

Stefano Scarampella
Luthiar Bresciano
Awarded the Silver Medals
Via Enrico Tazzoli No. 3 Mantova

Signore Scarampella could have been quite a professional and artist in his day.

Very interesting bit of history.

- Dr. C.