My Martini...

[Ken Smith]

Is anyone listening here? Please feel free to comment. No experience required.

The Martini just went under the knife today. The original Neck came out of its Block for a Graft job and the Top came off for some interior work needed as well.

This may well be as I suspected, Martini's first Bass made right after World War I (labeled 1919). Arnold called me in the morning with some interesting findings. First off, the Neck Block/Neck joint is a 'hidden' dovetail! Yes, an Italian Bass with a dovetail joint. When the Top came off, it was more obvious as it was covering the joint. This will of course be corrected. The new Neck will sit in a slightly deeper 'mortise' joint of the same Block that will be re-cut. Unfortunately, those original Oppio (Italian Maple) shoulder caps on the Neck in matching wood will have to be replaced. One of them was totally worm eaten inside. It will be replaced in Ebony most likely.

The Back is very thick but it's a softer Oppio wood like the Ribs, Neck and Scroll so its' not a big deal. The bottom Block however is way bigger than it needs to be so it will be cut down to a more reasonable size. The Bass also needs much of its Linings replaced and quite a bit of half-edge work as well before replacing the Top.

The original Job it went in for was not a small one as I wanted 'everything' cleaned up. The cost after these discoveries of extra work needed will only increase the job by about 10-15% of what was originally estimated.

Being this is one of my favorite Basses to play despite its younger age comparatively speaking, I want whatever is best for it.