Custode Marcucci, Ravenna (Anno 1897, #271)

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

I have known this bass for about 20 years. Trust me when I say it sounds better than it looks. Ken is a fortunate fellow.

I feel lucky to have this bass, thanks to a certain dealer/friend in NY that called me when it came available.

I just got back from a show rehearsal. I do not recall owning a bass with such smooth, deep, rich sounding and easy to bow notes that grab the string in a split second going from Pizz to Arco in a fast 2-beat show tune. For the first 3 rehearsals I just did Pizz on the few single Arco marked notes because I didn't think I could play them quick enough even with bow in hand during the fast Pizz parts.

Tonight when I walked in the conductor mentioned that the Pit notes now includes some comments I need to look at. "BASS, Play all the Arco notes as marked" on the various tunes she noted. So tonight, I played everything as written Pizz to Bow and like magic, the Bow pulled the string like a deep, thick, warm, colorful sounding note as if I had time to lay the bow down and start the note which, I did not. My hand nearly slapped the bow on the strings, played a note or two and then back to pizz. Wow.. And I have owned a lot of great basses. This is the smoothest to date.

Bowing the sections that are more continuous, the sound of the bass is just beautiful.

Maybe the Lipkins Bow I have helps a bit. I am sure of it. Also, maybe those lessons I took several decades ago helped as well..

[Eric Swanson]

Oh my. Just lovely. Congratulations, Ken!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

Oh my. Just lovely. Congratulations, Ken!

Thanks Eric. I have been playing it every day now since last Sunday between Orchestra and Show gigs. It is a very special bass and the sound is more like a bigger older bass to me.

[Stefano Senni]

That's gorgeous, Ken ! Marcucci lived and worked in S.Agata sul Santerno, a very small village next to my hometown, Lugo (Ravenna) - Italia. An old lady there still has a Marcucci bass that belonged to his late father, and that Marcucci built directly for him ! A couple of years ago she contacted me and wanted me to acquire the bass after she has known I am an artist from that town...I was excited about it, but then her brother wanted to keep the bass in the family to honor their dad's memory.... Maybe sooner or later they will change their mind and I will have my Marcucci as well ! ... So far it's just a shame that such a bass doesn't get played and keeps deteriorating year after year ....

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by Stefano Senni

I was excited about it, but then her brother wanted to keep the bass in the family to honor their dad's memory.... Maybe sooner or later they will change their mind and I will have my Marcucci as well ! ... So far it's just a shame that such a bass doesn't get played and keeps deteriorating year after year ....

Why don't you tell them that to honor their father's memory, you will play the bass and be responsible for it's preservation and tell the story of how you received it at your performances. When you no longer wish to play it, you will then return it to the family.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Why don't you tell them that to honor their father's memory, you will play the bass and be responsible for it's preservation and tell the story of how you received it at your performances. When you no longer wish to play it, you will then return it to the family.

Better yet, sent it to me to be with its Twin to be played with a Bow and also get a well deserved "Smith Style Plays Like Butter FULL Restoration"!

I have seen a few of them and they seem to vary in size. The build style is quite similar looking on all of the ones I have seen.

[Ken Smith]

I have my first Classical concert with the Marcucci tomorrow and the program is tough.

Carl Nielson: Helios Overture, Op. 17
Saint- Saens: Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61
Nancy Bean, Violin (Philly Orch.)

Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43


There are some very tough parts on all 3 pieces, especially the end of the Violin concerto, B major, 5 sharps.. Been shedding that for a few days. and the Helios has a tough section as well. The problem is that we only have 4 basses and for this sized orchestra, we need 6. I am a sub there when they need an extra player as 2 of the other guys in the section can't make it.



The other thing to mention is getting comfortable with a new bass. The endpin height. I am most comfortable with the endpin all the way in, on the floor. This way I can get close to the bass and reach into TP as needed and this program does have a few upper notes in it.