Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Berkowitz
I've read some posts about Ken's Corsini basses. My recently-acquired Matthias Kriner is also labeled as a Corsini. Is this a generic label or a name that describes specific traits and design elements?
If it helps, mine is fully carved, likely Romanian. Spruce top with round poplar back and poplar sides, violin corners, mensure around 41.25".
Here is a link to some photos:
Matthias Kriner bass |
I would have to say that the use of the name Corsini is just that, the use of it. There was an actual maker of Violins from Rome in the early-mid 20th century named Giorgio Corsini. I can only assume that the Calin Wultur shop just borrowed or adapted that name for one of their models. I don't know of any actual Double Basses having been made by the actual real Corsini from Rome. Just like the Kriner name on your bass which is either borrowed or made up being that this family of makers are from Germany and not Romania having worked in various parts of Germany in the 18th and 19th centuries.
This is done with most factory/shop made instruments today from the Eastern countries as well as the far East in China. There are actual Romanian and Hungarian makers using their own names in instruments and one from China that I know of that has production which is Shen.
Almost all makers use famous proven names to make, design after and/or market their products after. In the case of Wultur, it is a Corsini 'model', clearly stated. What that is exactly I would like to know. Recently a modern Italian bass from the 20th century came into a shop for repair. I received a phone call from the Luthier telling me how much it looked in design to my imported 'Amati' models I brought in from China recently.
So, I guess there is no copyright on using the name Corsini. After all, it's just a name. In the case of Mathius Kriner, there you have an actual maker of which I have seen 2 real Kriner basses and they look nothing like a Romanian Corsini model. What's in a name? Go figure!
