"Cornerless Italian & Spanish Basses"

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I must? Well, I guess that's an offer I can't refuse.

I agree with Brian's sentiment. If the bass is that good, why would you want to get rid of it - life is too short.

Hey, I've just put that little screw gadget on my A string and the Ab seems clear now on that string!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

I agree with Brian's sentiment. If the bass is that good, why would you want to get rid of it - life is too short.

Hey, I've just put that little screw gadget on my A string and the Ab seems clear now on that string!

Who says I want to get rid of it? Today I used my Mittenwald bass and will use it tomorrow as well. The Storioni is not a bass I can take to just any gig. It needs a guard for many of the places I might play or rehearse. Not from being stolen or the audience but from other Musicians knocking it over or in to it.

Also, I have other basses I like playing as well. One other bass in particular that I have in restoration is a sweet sounding old Italian that I am waiting to play and see which I like better.

Besides playing and collecting, these are basses I sell. I would prefer if sold, the Storioni would go to a player that I look up to and admire. I play it in the shop just about every day. Until Orchestra season starts up in the Fall, I have no where to take it. The concerts I have in the Spring and Summer are just not optimum situations for a bass like this unless it's the only bass I have.

[Richard Prowse]

Ken,
if you're happy, I'm happy.

[Richard Prowse]

Ken, just a little question about that little wolf tone device on your A string.
I put one on my A string (same place as yours) and it got rid of my Ab wolf tones - then I discovered that G, up on the A string, had a wolf tone. I tried the little chap on the D string, but it still effected the G.
I've taken it off because it is easier to live with a funny Ab. Have you had much experience with wolf tones? Is there any logic behind how the little device works?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

Ken, just a little question about that little wolf tone device on your A string.
I put one on my A string (same place as yours) and it got rid of my Ab wolf tones - then I discovered that G, up on the A string, had a wolf tone. I tried the little chap on the D string, but it still effected the G.
I've taken it off because it is easier to live with a funny Ab. Have you had much experience with wolf tones? Is there any logic behind how the little device works?

I don't know much about them only that they are waht we refer to as resonant frequencies. I remember back in the early 70s discussing this same thing about problems on a bass guitar (not to mention brand) and that's what we called them back then.

You can find a wolf on any instrument no matter how subtle but it's there.

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I don't know much about them only that they are waht we refer to as resonant frequencies. I remember back in the early 70s discussing this same thing about problems on a bass guitar (not to mention brand) and that's what we called them back then.

You can find a wolf on any instrument no matter how subtle but it's there.

Thanks Ken. Sounds like that Ab is just something I'll have to live with.

[Ken Smith]

I made a new Thread for one of my Cornerless Basses that has Corners but outside Scalloped Blocks. Thread here.

I have also seen several basses that had single Guitar Ribs but the Top and back had Corners. On the Ribs were glued on external corners across the Ribs. Only on of these I have seen in person. Inside, it looks totally Cornerless Guitar style. Here are a few borrowed pictures.



I have seen a few others as well with similar external Blocks. One attributed to Testore, one to Montagnana and one just Northern Italy. None of them resembled each other in the actual style of the bass so I would say 4 different makers.

So whether Scalloped blocks externally or full blocks, there is more then one method of making a Cornerless Bass internally or rather, a Guitar model Bass.

To date, I have played each of the 3 styles, two of which I currently own.