My Solano

[JoeyNaeger]

I thought start a thread on my bass. It's a 2004 Solano, based on the panormo design. A lot of Solanos have issues with them but mine seemed to turn out quite well(I also paid more for mine than many others).






It has a very colorful tone and a surprisngly focused sound considering its high rib depth. Right now, I have flexocor solos on it, but when I'm in orchestral tuning, I've been using helicore heavies recently.

[Ken Smith]

That is a beautiful looking Bass you have. Would you mind posting the usual measurements so we can get a better idea of it's size.

[Jeff Bollbach]

Beautiful, looks like one of Rumano's better efforts!

[JoeyNaeger]

Upper Bout: 20"
Center Bout: 14"
Lower Bout: 26"
Rib Depth(at lower block): 9.75"
Rib depth(at neck block): 7"
Belly length: 44"
String length: 41"

[Ken Smith]

Are the Ribs measured inside the Top and Back or including them to the outsides of each? I always measure the Ribs only as a separate piece as if unattached. The Space on the inside is what we are looking for. Dealers like Lemur that include the Top and Back are posting a misleading depth even though they state it.

For what it's worth, the two deepest sounding Basses I have played had less than 8" Ribs. One was my Dodd at 7.5" at the widest point and the other is my Cornerless Bass that just reaches 7.75" at the widest but quickly goes to 7 5/8" at the lower Bout. This in itself has proved to me that deep Ribs do not necessarily make a Bass sound deeper.

[JoeyNaeger]

Those measurements are excluding the top and the back. There are times when I wish the ribs were narrower so I could reach around it easier, but it hasn't been a huge problem so far. I'm not really convinced that rib depth has any specific effect on sound either. I imagine its a bit like round versus flat backs. They're different, but I don't think it could be said that round backs sound one way or another compared to flatbacks.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by JoeyNaeger

Those measurements are excluding the top and the back. There are times when I wish the ribs were narrower so I could reach around it easier, but it hasn't been a huge problem so far. I'm not really convinced that rib depth has any specific effect on sound either. I imagine its a bit like round versus flat backs. They're different, but I don't think it could be said that round backs sound one way or another compared to flatbacks.

The only valid test I could see possible is that the make makes 2 Backs, one flat and one round from the same lot of matched wood and varnished the same. Then putting one Back on and testing the sound, pulling off the Back and then trying the other one. This would have some scientific weight to it.

On the depth, play the Bass with the Ribs deep with each Back and then cut them to under 8" and try again with each Back. measure all 4 sounds and then you have another test of merit to debate.

Most of the Basses I have owned had Ribs from 7 1/4" to 8 3/4". I see not difference with rib depth or Back type. Since the Top is closest to the Strings and touches the Bridge it might be that we are looking at the Smoke and not the Fire!

[Tom Martin]

Hi Ken, have you ever heard of Joseph Kimiotek ? I have a small 7/8 made in 1999 by him in Cracovia, Poland. The dimensions are 21 1/4 upper bout, 27 1/4 bottom bout and 9 " depth at the lower bout. 42 1/4 string length and the sound is very even, loud with deep mellow tone . Have had many good comments on the sound from other players in the orchestra but can find no info on that maker. Have you or your associates ever heard of that make ? By the way, this forum is GREAT . Sure glad I moved !!! Keep up the good work.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tom Martin

Hi Ken, have you ever heard of Joseph Kimiotek ? I have a small 7/8 made in 1999 by him in Cracovia, Poland. The dimensions are 21 1/4 upper bout, 27 1/4 bottom bout and 9 " depth at the lower bout. 42 1/4 string length and the sound is very even, loud with deep mellow tone . Have had many good comments on the sound from other players in the orchestra but can find no info on that maker. Have you or your associates ever heard of that make ? By the way, this forum is GREAT . Sure glad I moved !!! Keep up the good work.

I have heard that name once before and not sure if he makes for one of the eastern made brands or not. JR Music employs both Polish and Romanian shops and may know more about him. Try contacting them here.

[Tom Martin]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I have heard that name once before and not sure if he makes for one of the eastern made brands or not. JR Music employs both Polish and Romanian shops and may know more about him. Try contacting them here.

Thanks Ken, seems like it is a workshop in Poland made under the JR music
import operation and their selection includes all levels of basses . It looks
like mine is an "upper" quality bass (whatever that means) due to the type
and grain of the wood used. (more flame , more grain )Thanks again and I now
know a little about the maker and the bass. Regards, Tom