Scallopini...

[Ken Smith]

I rehearsed this past Monday with the Kreutzer bass I had used all last week but it didn't seem to fit the program we were doing, Mahler (Das Knaben) and Mozart 36. The Orchestra was scaled down, only 24 in the strings (8/7 violins, 4 violas, 3 cellos and 2 basses). The next rehearsals were Thurs. and Fri and the Concert last night on Sat. So I brought the Scallopini and heads turned around me as I was between the Violas and Cellos (they were switched from normal position with the Violas outside).

At first I was worried it wouldn't be loud enough as the bass next to me was a 7/8 (or 4/4) Pollmann Maggini model from the '80s. Big bass, loud sound. The Scallopini held up just fine and the tone is beautiful and full, especially the mid and upper register. This bass holds up as well as any 3/4 despite is slightly smaller size. I can only imagine how much more sound will come from the bass when all that new repair wood inside breaks in and ages. I won't be around in 50 years to hear it but someone will.