Archimede Orlandini, 1978
Archimede Orlandini
Parma, Italy, 1978
String Length 42 1/2"
Body Length 43"
Rib Depth 8"
Upper Bout 21 1/4"
Middle Bout 14"
Lower Bout 26 1/2"
Archimede Orlandini (1909-1998) started his life as a luthier being entirely self taught. He received an honorary diploma for a violin he entered in the 1937 Stradivarius Exhibit in Cremona and continued to win prizes throughout his career.
This bass has a three piece top of spruce with matching back and sides of highly figured poplar. There is an Orlandini bass pictured in Luca Fanfoni's book "Archimede Orlandini - Liutaio di Parma" (Turris Editrice, 1998) that is dated from 1983 and was the last of the 10 basses he made. The one pictured here is identical and dated from 1978. It is so labeled inside on the neck block, as well as being branded on the button under the heel of the neck.
The sound is big and has that typically warm, yet complex Italian quality.