"Cornerless Italian & Spanish Basses"

[Ken Smith]

I know we have a similar Thread in 'General Bass Talk' but I thought I would kick off another Thread about this subject as this Guitar/Pear model that we occasionally see is usually of the Italian School.

Recently, a Bass player in 'The NYC Ballet' acquired David Walters' cornerless Bass attr. to Testore. Some have referred to it as a Spanish Bass as they too are known for making this style but did they really make them? Every old cornerless Bass I have seen looks Italian to me regardless of what they call it. Does anyone really know what the origin is of the Cornerless Bass?

The Bass I just acquired has a Brescian type Scroll with a Cornerless shape. The Scroll is on the short side with plugs visible from its 3-string days. The non-ebony Tailpiece also has 3 plugs from when it was a 3-stringer but has since had 4 new holes drilled and an upper lip added at the top of the TP.

This Bass though is loooong.. 44 1/4" string length now but about 44 1/2" if we make a new Bridge with the current Neck and neck-set. For this, we have a vague plan as far as shortening the string length and keeping it playable as well as its thick organ-like sound.

So, please post your Italian Cornerless Bass stories here and post any pics of any Bass you can find anywhere that is both 'Cornerless and Italian' in origin for discussion purposes. I will get my page up in a day or so from this posting and then link it from here.

NOTE: As of this edit on 4/29/07 I just changed the title to include Spanish Basses as many 'attributed' Italian Cornerless Basses may be actually Spanish. Although this style is believed to have originated in Italy, it is the main style that was adapted in Spain as well.

[Brian Glassman]

Here's a new made Italian Pear shaped bass by Sergio Scaramelli of Cremona:

http://www.contrabbassi.it/contrabbasso_pera_cassa.htm

BG

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Brian Glassman

Here's a new made Italian Pear shaped bass by Sergio Scaramelli of Cremona:

http://www.contrabbassi.it/contrabbasso_pera_cassa.htm

BG

Very similar to my Bass in basic shape and form but mine I believe is quite a bit bigger.

[Ken Smith]

Ok Guys, heres my Storioni Bass.



Two older appraisals have it as a Gasparo d'Salo and I do see the Brescian connection in the Scroll but not in the age. The FFs have me puzzled and the Varnish looks fantastic. Still, I can't be 100% certain it's actually Storioni or even another more famous maker. The sound is to die for and the beauty, well that depends on what you like. Stunning is my description. What's yours?

[davidseidel]

Wow that is an impressive looking instrument. Does the guitar shape have any advantages or disadvantages for practical playing comfort? I never have tried one myself. Funny how a long stop doesn't always feel noticeable. Will you take it on a gig in present condition?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by davidseidel

Wow that is an impressive looking instrument. Does the guitar shape have any advantages or disadvantages for practical playing comfort? I never have tried one myself. Funny how a long stop doesn't always feel noticeable. Will you take it on a gig in present condition?

It is so easy to play, My Gilkes is 41" string length and is harder to play with its higher shoulders and violin corners. The middle bout on the Storioni is 1 1/8" wider but it's easier to bow without hitting anything.

I took the Bass to an Orchestra rehearsal tonight. We had to add an extra 'p' from pp to ppp because this Bass added to much bottom to the orchestra and I was plucking in 5th position in the pizz sections to play softer. With my other Orchestra I have rehearsal tomorrow (thurs eve.) and Saturday morning with a Sat. eve. concert. Yes, I am playing the Bass now as-is but with a basic set-up that took me about 4 hours last night. I made a new Nut after I took off the extension, re-cut the Bridge top and changed the strings. The E-string is still in the 'A' peg like it was with the Extension but it's a Stark non-ext Flexocor. The other strings are reg Flex, normal gauge, not Starks.

Ron Lacey; I'd go with impressive, too. With a 44 1/4" scale length it must be huge!! How do you carry that beauty with no corners to grab?

It is not easy to lift or carry. Something I will have to get used to. The sound is well worth any simple troubles like that. Tonight I stood up for over 2 hours straight, no break. Tomorrow I have a 3 hour rehearsal with a break. I will be sitting as there is a stool there for me.

With this Bass I can feel the sound better then I can hear it. I have to lean into the neck to hear my intonation. The Bassist on 3rd stand who knows this Bass and first told me about it a few years ago mentioned how loud it was tonight. The bottom two strings are earth shaking. It's more like a tidal wave pushing from under the ocean than a 20ft surf with everything out front like my Gilkes is which by the way is a cannon over the Storioni but the Storioni is an earthquake to be felt. By the time you hear it, it's too late!

[Ron Lacey]

I'd go with impressive, too. With a 44 1/4" scale length it must be huge!! How do you carry that beauty with no corners to grab?

[Eric Hochberg]

Don't know if this bass has been discussed here, but here it is.

http://www.reinshagenbasssale.com

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Don't know if this bass has been discussed here, but here it is.

http://www.reinshagenbasssale.com

Yes, a few times and it was back in 2009 the first time it was posted here, many many pics. A very plain looking bass with a German style scroll but looks different in the back. The owner was more famous than the maker from what I see.

[Matthew Tucker]

I love the nickless FFs.