Custode Marcucci, Ravenna (Anno 1897, #271)

[Ken Smith]

Hey, can anyone enhance this pic and read the date on this label. When I blow it up, I see a faint 7 after the 9 and an even more faint 8 in front. That would be 1897. For this makers labels and the label slightly damaged, it still seems that the 9 is too far from the word 'Anno' to be 19-something (1900 it was believed). I see it as 1897. Anyone else?

[Sam Sherry]

I've tried three different programs to zoom and clarify; none are much help. A nice, big shot of just the label (and rip) would really help.

The thing that makes this so trick is the rip -- it looks like there's a 2 but it's wood-grain. It looks like there's a 1 in front of the 9 but it's the edge of the rip.

But really, just can't tell. For the moment we'll just assume that this instrument was made in the year 9.

Are you scouting this wreck or do you have it in-house?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

I've tried three different programs to zoom and clarify; none are much help. A nice, big shot of just the label (and rip) would really help.

The thing that makes this so trick is the rip -- it looks like there's a 2 but it's wood-grain. It looks like there's a 1 in front of the 9 but it's the edge of the rip.

But really, just can't tell. For the moment we'll just assume that this instrument was made in the year 9.

Are you scouting this wreck or do you have it in-house?

The Pic was taken thru the F hole. That is the best we can get for now. Much of the ink is faded away. Possibly from washing away glue drips in the past when gluing open seams.

Bass in house?.. Let me look..

[Pino Cazzaniga]

Ken, congratulations!
I have seen three instruments of this maker, and they are great in workmanship, character and sound.
The poplar wood of the back (is it poplar, right?) is consistent with them.
The maker is a legend here: self educated, probably illiterate, he was a barrel maker, then he begun making instruments and leg prosthesis...
Hope to see your find soon on your site!

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Pino Cazzaniga

Ken, congratulations!
I have seen three instruments of this maker, and they are great in workmanship, character and sound.
The poplar wood of the back (is it poplar, right?) is consistent with them.
The maker is a legend here: self educated, probably illiterate, he was a barrel maker, then he begun making instruments and leg prosthesis...
Hope to see your find soon on your site!

Thanks Pino. I will post some pics in the near future. It is an old bass of his period from what I can tell. yes on the Poplar back and sides and slab cut pine top in 2 pieces. The neck/scroll however is maple with some nice flame and all original. Same exact scroll and varnish as the 1898 bass of his that I compered to. This one has had a block cut and was a longer mensure before. The top and back is also beautifully purfled with violin size purfling.

These are the measurements;

Mensur... 106.7 (42") (modified/shortened with block cut)


Body (Top).. 112cm (44")

Back (over button).. 115.6cm (45 1/2")

Upper Bout... 48.6cm (19 1/8")
Middle Bout...35.9cm (14 1/8")
Lower Bout....64.8cm (25 1/2")

Ribs (ribs only, without top and back).. 20.3cm (8")
Ribs at neck .. 14.6cm (5 3/4")

Stop length..(base of neck to bridge center notch).. 57.1cm (22 1/2")

This is a very very comfortable bass to play. Even easier to play than my former Martini and Storioni was.

I have Belcanto G, D, A and Flexocor 92 stark E/C on the bass. It sounds beautiful and so easy to be musical. It has also an Eb neck which for me is better.

[Ken Smith]

Here are some pics of my personal bass, newly acquired. Some restoration and set-up work is forth coming in the next few months so here are the pictures of the bass in the current state it's been in for the last few decades.

String Length is 42" (Eb Neck Heel)
Body/Top - 44 1/2", Back/with Button - 45 1/2"
Upper Bout -19 1/8"
Middle Bout -14 1/8"
Lower Bout - 25 5/8"
Ribs (without top and back) - 7 7/8" tapered to 5 3/4" at Neck

This Bass is not for sale!

[Eric Hochberg]

Simply Stunning! Wow!

[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.

[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!

[Lou Laurenti]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Here are some pics of my personal bass, newly acquired. Some restoration and set-up work is forth coming in the next few months so here are the pictures of the bass in the current state it's been in for the last few decades.

String Length is 41 7/8" (Eb Neck Heel)
Body/Top - 44 1/2", Back/with button - 45 1/2"
Upper Bout -19 1/8"
Middle Bout -14 1/8"
Lower Bout - 25 5/8"
Ribs (without top and back) - 7 7/8" tapered to 5 3/4" at Neck

This Bass is not for sale!

Looks great Ken

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Lou Laurenti

Looks great Ken

I just got back from playing it tonight with an Orchestra. It was just a rehearsal and only one bass tonight. Next week we will have all 4 basses there, basses and players that I know well and then I will have a better grip on how it blends. All went will tonight.

[Ken Smith]

Ok, I finally gave the bass its first new set of strings since I have had it, b4 and after restoration. I had been rotating between few different sets on and off other basses to see what it likes and at the recommendation of the restorer (Arnold Schnitzer), I put a new set of strings on the bass. Finally!!