I thought you guys may be interested in this maker, Benedict Puglisi from Melbourne Australia who has made several basses, most of which are now scattered around the world in the hands of orchestral or jazz players. This one I have was one of 5 that he finished as a group in 2002. They toured as a section for an orchestra from Stuttgart before being available for sale so they had a little playing in by then. I had the first choice of them and found this one easy to play, very even and nice mellow tone arco or pizz unlike a new bass generally sounds. Also loud enough to play acoustically which is important to me. Interesting enough 3 were of the same design except that the depth of ribs was larger on the other 2 yet this one had easily the bigger sound.
Swell back is aged maple from Bavarian Alps, ribs matching and scroll plainer maple from same place. Top wide grained spruce in 2 pieces. Fingerboard and tailpiece matching A grade ebony from India. Royle tuners - unique to Puglisi I believe.
Measurements Upper bouts 53.2 cm Middle 36.7 lower 69.5
Body length 112 cm Fingerboard 88.2 String 106.5
Ribs lower 19cm to 15.7 upper
Oil varnish
Pics of some of his other basses @
http://www.benedictgpuglisi.com/