Scallopini...

[Ken McKay]

Oh...Robbie, I met him in Kalamazoo and saw a fine bass he made.
Yes it takes a great restoration specialist to do the work right.

[Matthew Tucker]

So, I assume you guys have been speculating WHY a bass would be built like this?? I mean, why add corners to a cornerless rib garland? What's your best guess?

[Eric Hochberg]

Solves the picking up and carrying problem with cornerless basses.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

So, I assume you guys have been speculating WHY a bass would be built like this?? I mean, why add corners to a cornerless rib garland? What's your best guess?

I guess so it looks like a normal bass from the front. Short of digging up a few graves and asking them, I think we just have to speculate. I have seen quite a few of these and that's my assumption. This is the only one I have seen with Scalloped blocks. All the others had full blocks added externally.

On the carrying comment, this one is not quite as easy to pick up but grabbing it under the Scalloped corner works fine as compared to no corners at all.

[Ken Smith]

Update, the 'E' string is pushing some air now and I have only played it for about 2 hours combined now. I would play it more but this is a busy week and have been busy every evening after work. Next week looks better for some serious break-in practicing on the Scallopini.

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I would play it more but this is a busy week and have been busy every evening after work. Next week looks better for some serious break-in practicing on the Scallopini Parisini.

Well, we don't want you cutting any corners, do we?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

Well, we don't want you cutting any corners, do we?

You made a joke.. lol..

I am thinking of a design for a new bass with some kind of rail/handle, decorative of course on the outside upper bout going across from scallop to scallop so you can lift the bass. One on either side. This Bass has already had its upper bass side corner broken off in the past most likely from being lifted with it. Now it's re-repaired with the half edging under it to keep it stronger than before. I have to lift it with the Scallop in hand to take the load partially off the actual corner. Maybe I can have this added to the bass at some future point. I have to get used to the bass first before I think seriously about any kind of modifications to this beauty.

Here's a Cornerless bass with an added handle that's pictured on the forum.

[Matthew Tucker]

Funnily enough I've never really had a problem moving/lifting my cornerless bass. I guess I hold it by the neck a bit more than I would a standard bass, that's all.

is there any evidence how Scallopini was made? Like, is it nice and symmetrical, indicating ribs formed on a mould, or is it a bit all over the place, indicating a more freeform construction? does the front outline match the back?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

Funnily enough I've never really had a problem moving/lifting my cornerless bass. I guess I hold it by the neck a bit more than I would a standard bass, that's all.

is there any evidence how Scallopini was made? Like, is it nice and symmetrical, indicating ribs formed on a mold, or is it a bit all over the place, indicating a more freeform construction? does the front outline match the back?

Well, one thing we can see and take a guess at is the rib and lining bends. They are scored/kerfed inside in several places with the cuts going over the rib and lining together. Meaning, he glued the linings in first and then bent the ribs with the linings already glued in place. The bass is a match 100% all around and no 2 corners or scallops are 100% exact to one another. Totally a handmade bass. I would doubt a mold was used but some jigs perhaps to hold things in place along the way. This guy made guitars as well as violins. You can see his hand/eye matching when comparing the scroll button to the scallops. Same tools as well. Definitely an interesting bass to study.

The Top is 3 pc spruce with the pith down the center of the middle piece at the ends. The Tailblock area was deemed not worthy of repairing due to several voids in the original wood so a thru patch was made in a triangle shape. The point is about 12" above the saddle and the bottom about 5 inches across, slightly askew from the center line favoring the treble side of the bass. Looking close you can see it on the right side but the joint is well disguised on the left side under the tailpiece. In this case, we went for repairing that section rather then restoring it. Restoring it might have looked more original but structurally, it would still be weaker than a fresh solid piece in that less visible area. I have the piece that was cut out and it would need several repairs in itself as well as doubling it inside. The new piece was the cleaner and stronger way to go overall. The outer flank pieces join just inside the center curve/bout and along with the center piece has some very fine grain lines in spots. Definitely a cold time in history with all the tight winter growth lines. I would also guess this bass was made buy a younger rather than older person. This because of the mix of guitar work on a violin family instrument. Not quite a refined maker yet but extremely artistic. The Ffs are beautifully curved around the eyes. One of my favorite parts of this bass in its workmanship. The most favorite is the ease of playing with the small neck block angled in from the roundback tapered to just 4 5/8" (117mm) with the ebony caps touching the neck. A joy to hold and play.

The back is old Italian Walnut with nice broad flames. The center seam was repaired a long time ago, maybe more than once. It wasn't touched this time around other then some replaced studs along the center seam. The Ribs appear to be maple, fairly thick and with some slight flame in spots. Possibly Oppio, Italian maple.

[Ken Smith]

Here are the labels in the Bass. One is from a repairman and one, the old 16th century Lute maker Antonius Bononiensis which I believe is false for this bass and period;

[Ken Smith]

Ok, we just took some new pics for the webpage of this bass.

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/marconcini/