Custode Marcucci, Ravenna (Anno 1897, #271)

[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!

[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 ....

[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!!