Broad Shouldered Italian Basses

[Ken Smith]

Here is a Bass I recently acquired with some fairly broad shoulders in a medium sized 3/4 length Italian Bass. According to the *label it was made in Florence by "Petrus Antonius Malvolti". His work period was from about 1700-1733. He is also listed by Jalovec as the possible teacher of Gabrielli whose style is considered to be similar. *It is not known for sure if the label is a match for the bass. It might or might not be. Malvolti is not a very prolific maker with much to compare it to.

A few years ago, the former owner took this Bass up to Mario Lamarre in Montreal and had it modified with a detachable neck for travel. The work is beautiful and the Bass feels as solid as can be.

Although the shoulders look huge, it plays quite easily. Playing high up in thumb position however is difficult for me. I guess it was made before the thought of a Bass solo was ever considered..

Note: These pictures were borrowed from Mario's website. I hope he doesn't mind the free advertising.

[Ken McKay]

Nice bass.

What do you think of the way the heel was cut down and the large thumbscrew?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ken McKay

Nice bass.

What do you think of the way the heel was cut down and the large thumbscrew?

I have been playing the bass every day now and I can tell you that I never feel the heel or screw while playing unless I rest my hand back there to feel it.

The first thought you get is that the bass needs a new neck graft and everything put back to normal to be a pedigree Italian in an original state but after playing it, it feels as normal as any other bass I have.

I might in the near future put a C-extension on this which in turn will need a new thicker fingerboard as this one is quite thin now. Still, thin board and all, the bass plays like butter. It is sitting in my rack between the Panormo and the Hart.

If any forum members are passing thru my area, you are welcome to come by and see the Malvolti. I plan on using it for any programs that don't require a C-extension. When I get the Storioni back from restoration, I will put this one in the shop for a C-Ext. and a few other tweaks as well.

[Ken Smith]

Ok, here is the link to the current page in progress on the Malvolti.

To highlight a few features, look at the shape of the Back of the Bass from full shot to body shot to button shot. Enjoy..


And the label..
I am still not 100% if the label belongs. Mostly we think not but I could be wrong. I played the Bass all this week and the only other Bass I have that plays and sounds as smooth is my Cornerless Italian formerly attributed to Storioni. It feels and puts out sound in a similar way. A sweet deep organ sounding Bass. The condition of this Bass is great all things considered. Speaking of Organ sounding, I am using the Bass to play the Organ Concerto by Saint-Saens this Saturday.

[Ken Smith]

I did a search and found this Coat of Arms from Florence.


This is the basic design in the back of the bass but facing down from the neck.

[Adrian Juras]

The bass looks just gorgeous Ken. I'd love to hear it one day. I have always been attracted to the broader shouldered basses not only visually, but it seems tonally they tend to have a fairly big sound to them as well.