Venetian Bass, ca. 1750

Price: contact us

Description:

This is a truly special bass. This bass shares many of the design and sound qualities of Venetian basses and looks to be from the Busan school of making. Originally thought to be a Montagnana it was brought to the States by the former principal bassist of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Anton Torello. It then spent 40 years there under the bow of Ferdinand Meresh and then to Tom Monahan and Tim Dawson of the Toronto Symphony. The top is four pieces with a mix of straight grain and slab cut spruce. The back and sides are flamed maple. The bass is not too big and is very easy to get around. The sound just appears. You can coax all kinds of sounds and colors and doing that with this instrument is very easy. It doesn’t fight you, it just does what it’s asked. The sound is rich, dark, and punchy. Playing the open A string alone will make you weep salty tears of joy. The bass has been beautifully restored and set up by Thomas & George Martin in Banbury, England and comes with their certificate. Dimensions: String Length - 41 1/2”, Body Length - 45”, Rib Depth - 7 1/2”, Upper Bouts - 20 1/2”, C Bout - 15.5”, Lower Bouts - 28”

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Robbie McIntosh, Piattellini Model, 2025

Price: $40,000

Description:

The top is made from slab cut, eastern white pine that came from floorboards in a home in Greenwich, NY, that was built in 1785. Robbie used this wood on his fantastic Busan copy and other Piattellini models. The back ands sides are made from slab cut cherry.

• The bass:

  • 41” string length, 42 3/4” body length, 8” rib depth, 20 1/2” upper bout, 14” center bout, 26 1/4” lower bout

  • copy of a bass by Alvisio Piattellini

  • has a big, fat sound that projects well and despite being a big bass is very easy to play

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Eastern European bass, ca. 1875

Price: $25,000

Description:

Here is a beautiful, flat back bass with a deep, warm sound. The bass was restored by Robbie McIntosh in 2022 and is great condition. The bass was appraised at $30,000.

String Length 41”, Body Length 43”, Upper Bouts 19 1/2”, C Bouts 13 1/2”, Lower Bouts 25 1/2”, Rib Depth 8”

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John Thomas Hart (1846)

Price: contact us for more information

Description:

This bass came from the shop of John Thomas Hart in London and was probably made by one of his luthiers, William Valentine. The bass came from the UK around 1975 and has been in the USA since. It went through a thorough and excellent restoration by Jed Kriegel in 2010 when he also added a fingered C extension with 4 capos. The bass was featured in the July 1998 edition of Strad Magazine written by Thomas Martin and Martin Lawrence. In the article it is said of these instruments, “Tonally the basses rank among the best of the English school. The tone is firm and projecting while retaining good depth and quality, features which make the classic English double bass sought after and appreciated by so many orchestral bassists in both Europe and the US.” Playing this bass will certainly confirm that appraisal. The instrument was subsequently featured as well in “The English Double Bass” by Thomas & George Martin and Martin Lawrence.

String Length - 42”, Body Length - 44 1/4”, Rib Depth - 8 3/8”, Upper Bouts - 21”, C Bouts - 15”, Lower Bouts - 27”

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French bass, ca. 1890

Price: $15,000

Description:

This is a very nice bass that has a lot of punch and a concentrated mid-range without too much boom. The ergonomic design makes it very easy to get in thumb position. The bass comes with a pickup, quiver, and a Mooradian padded bag.

41 3/4” string length, 42” body length, 20” upper bouts, 14 1/2” C bouts, 25” lower bouts

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Gaspar da Salo copy, ca. 2010

Price: $25,000

Description:

This bass came from a talented luthier in Hungary and was set up and sold by Thomas & George Martin in the UK. It was antiqued in such an elaborate way that you would think you were playing on a genuine Gaspar. The deliberate cracks were expertly restored and the bass is solid. The sound is rich and punchy.

String Length - 41 1/2”, Body Length - 43 1/4”, Rib Depth - 9”, Upper Bouts - 22”, C Bouts - 15”, Lower Bouts - 27”

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Helen McIntosh Travel Bass (2024)

Price: ***SOLD*** But, I’m told, there is another in progress.

Description:

This bass is a beauty! Robbie’s daughter, Helen, made this gorgeous bass out of 50-60 year old, seasoned wood. The ergonomic design make it a joy to play. The sound is big and open. The bass has a removable neck and a clever way of keeping the soundpost in place when the string tension is released. It takes less than 15 minutes to assemble or disassemble the instrument. The bass also has an optional trunk made by Jean Auray, the Nanoo, which is an added $3,500.

String Length 40 7/8”, Upper Bouts 19 1/2”, C Bouts 14”, Lower Bouts 25 1/2”, Ribs 8”, Body Length 42 1/4”

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Pollmänn Fendt Maggini 1975

Price: $20,000

Description:

There is an interesting history to these basses. While visiting the shop of Pollmann in Germany, Thomas Martin brought his Bernard Simon Fendt Maggini Model bass that he was currently touring with. He asked the Pollmanns to make copies for Mr. Martin to sell. They are beautifully made basses and have a rich, dark sound, that is punchy and clear.

String Length - 42”, Body Length - 45 1/2”, Rib Depth - 8 3/4”, Upper Bouts - 20.75”, C Bouts - 14”, Lower Bouts - 26 1/2”

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Helen & Robbie McIntosh, 5/8 size, Piattellini Model, 2023

Price: $30,000

Description:

• This is Helen’s first bass made in collaboration with her father. 

• The top is made from slab cut, eastern white pine that came from floorboards in a home in Greenwich, NY, that was built in 1785. Robbie used this wood on his fantastic Busan copy. 

• The bass:

  • 39 1/2” string length

  • is a copy of a bass by Alvisio Piattellini

  • was entered into the makers competition at the 2023 ISB Convention at University of Michigan and won a Silver Medal for Tone

  • has a warm and projecting tone from top to bottom and is very easy to play

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Seth Kimmel 5 string, 5/8 size bass 2013

Price: $26,000

Description:

• This is Seth's 28th bass. 

• 38 1/4” string length

• The top is made from spruce, neck and sides of plain maple and the back is made from quilted maple. 

• I wasn’t getting a lot of interest in a bass with a high C string so I decided to change things up, shift up the strings and install a low B. This bass makes an impressive sound down there. I’m impressed! I’ll throw in the high C string for those adventurous souls.

• The bass has an Eb neck and fine silver posts to mark positions.

• This bass has a big, warm, and refined sound. The action is incredibly low but doesn’t stop you from digging in without string rattling.

• Another option for this bass is to use Viennese tuning - A, F#, D, A, E (or F if you’re being traditional).

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Tyrolean Bass ca. 1890

Price: $20,000 ***New Price!***

Description:

This bass produces a big, complex sound. The instrument was restored and had a new bass bar installed in 2015 and has broken in nicely. Highly recommended!

String Length 42 1/2”, Upper Bouts 20 1/2”, C Bouts 15”, Lower Bouts 25 3/4”

Rib Depth 7 7/8”, Back Length 42”

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Robbie McIntosh, 1/2 size Bernadel model, 2022

Price: $27,500

Description:

• This is Robbie's 15th bass. 

• 36 7/8” string length

• The top is made from spruce. The back and sides are made from birdseye maple. 

• The bass has a surprisingly full, robust sound for a 1/2 size and is very easy to play.

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Pollmänn bass, 1971

Price: $20,000

Description:

This bass is in pristine condition for its age. The bass was the former property of local bassist and beloved classical radio announcer, Bliss Michelson, who passed away last year from Covid. The bass has a 41.5” string length and comes with a padded cover. It has a clear, punchy sound.

Body Length - 44”, Rib Depth - 8 1/4”, Upper Bouts - 19”, C Bouts - 14 1/2”, Lower Bouts - 27 1/2”

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German bass, ca. 1880

Price: $15,000

Description:

This is a beautifully maintained and expertly repaired double bass of unknown German origin. The sound is robust with a complex tonal palette. The bass comes with a pickup, quiver, and a Mooradian padded bag.

42 1/4” string length, 42” body length, 21” upper bouts, 15” C bouts, 25 3/4” lower bouts

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Alberto Viegas 5 string bass 2014

Price: $17,500 ***New Price***

Description:

This 5 string bass by Brazilian luthier Alberto Viegas is a beast. It has a huge cushiony sound with enough core in the mid-range to make it really project. It is a big bass but has a manageable 41 1/2” string length. Alberto’s basses have won “Certificate of Tone” awards at the 2003 and 2007 ISB Conventions.

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Mario Bedocchi, ca. 1905

Price: $100,000

Description:

This is one of the more fascinating basses to ever come into my shop. The bass was originally thought to be a Grancino, but there is no evidence to substantiate that claim. The bass has repair labels (or writing) from four different luthiers: Giovanni Cavani (1907), Enrico Orselli (ca. 1925), Cesare Candi (1940), and Sergio Scaramelli (1999). There is also a nearly unintelligible label in which “Maggini” and “Brescia” can be discerned only with the aid of UV light and image-enhancing software. Clearly, the bass is not by Maggini. After a lot of research and some help from Mr. Scaramelli, I can now attest that this bass was made by Mario Bedocchi (1880-1955) who worked in Reggio Emilia. Bedocchi was a carpenter before studing violin making with Ettore Siega. The top is made with 6 pieces of spruce. The back is flat. The scroll is not original. It was expertly carved but has an extra ¾ turn and no chamfer. At first I thought the upper bouts were cut down but now I’m not so sure. There are no tell-tale issues with the purfling that would indicate that. The sound is loud, clear, with good depth and great projection. Dimensions: String Length - 41”, Body Length - 43 3/4”, Rib Depth - 7 3/4”, Upper Bouts - 19 1/4”, C Bout - 14”, Lower Bouts - 25 1/2”

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Carlo Radrizzani, ca. 1945

Price:  $40,000

Description: 

• String Length 42"

• Body Length 42 1/2 "

• Rib Depth 7 7/8 "

• Upper Bout 19 1/2 "

• Middle Bout 15"

• Lower Bout 27 1/4"

• This bass was completely restored by Samuel Kolstein and Son in 1977 and is in beautiful condition. The sound is warm and open and the instrument is very easy to play.

• Carlo Radrizzani (1896-1986) attended the School of Violin Making in Cremona and worked with his father Angelo in Milan and Vevey, Switzerland. Angelo (1870-1955) started work in Venice with his brother Alessandro (1864-1946) and then went on to work with both Giuseppe Rossi and Leandro Bisiach. Both Carlo and his father made the same model, and their basses are popular.

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Robbie McIntosh, Busan Model, 2019

Price: $35,000

Description:

• This is Robbie's 13th bass. 

• The top is made from slab cut, eastern white pine that came from floorboards in a home in Greenwich, NY, that was built in 1785. The back, sides, and scroll are made from cherry. 

• The bass:

  • comes with an ebony fingered C extension with 4 gates

  • 41 1/2” string length

  • upper bouts 20 1/4”, C bouts 15”, lower bouts 26 5/8”

  • rib depth 7 7/8”, back length 44”

  • is a copy of a 1749 Domenico Busan

  • was entered into the makers competition at the 2019 ISB Convention at Indiana University and won a Certificate of Merit for Tone

  • has that typical Venetian sound quality

  • has a full, round bottom end but with a complex and dense mid-range and a clear, open top.

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Kai Arvi Bass Arvi 2007, #130

Price: $25,000

Description:

• 7/8 size instrument with a 41 1/2" string length. 

• I made a fingered extension for it with 4 capos.

• This is one of my favorite Arvi basses.

• Comes with custom Mooradian bag

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