Gagliano contrabass

[richard hassan]

Thought this might be of interest to bass lovers. Sorry, don't know how to post a direct link. skinnerinc.com musical instrument sale Oct.14,2007. lot 39

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by richard hassan

Thought this might be of interest to bass lovers. Sorry, don't know how to post a direct link. skinnerinc.com musical instrument sale Oct.14,2007. lot 39

I know that Bass personally. I have played it recently in NY, played with Homer playing that Gagliano Bass in a section and had him beside me playing it with me on Electric Bass in the studio. It is a beautiful Bass. As with many old Basses, they have been repaired by many many people over the centuries and too often we see undesirable work that is sometimes irreversible.

This Bass could do with a major restoration but some things that have been done, cannot be un-done. At some point in its life, the Bass was cut down from a larger size. I have seen a nearly identical Gagliano side by side to this one that was in its original state size-wise. The Back from what I understand has also been extensively repaired as well.

I have a concert on the day of the Auction so I will not consider buying or bidding on the Bass at this time. Also, I recently compared my old Italian Cornerless Bass to it and I favored the type of sound and thicker tone of my Bass. Someone will end up with this great Bass either way before long. It just wont be me.

[ctregan]

http://www.skinnerinc.com/asp/search.asp?pg=4&ps=10
Here is a link, scroll down.

[Damon Rondeau]

Darn it, it seems like there's something very flakey with that web site. That link crashes with a message saying the parameters aren't acceptable. When I try and get in directly through the site, it tells me I don't accept cookies (wrong) and won't let me proceed.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Damon Rondeau

Darn it, it seems like there's something very flakey with that web site. That link crashes with a message saying the parameters aren't acceptable. When I try and get in directly through the site, it tells me I don't accept cookies (wrong) and won't let me proceed.

Try just; http://www.skinnerinc.com/

Then 'fine musical instruments' on the left; http://www.skinnerinc.com/content/sh...13&type=latest

Then 'view all lots'; http://www.skinnerinc.com/asp/search...ale_no=2380+++

Then page 4 of the lots and scroll down to lot 39, the Bass; http://www.skinnerinc.com/asp/search.asp?pg=4&ps=10

[Damon Rondeau]

Ah yessss... missed the "view all lots" link.

Thanks, Ken.

[Silversorcerer]

Ouch! That shoulder cut reminds me of a real bad haircut I once survived. I have seen a full sized Gagliano and this is shameful.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

Ouch! That shoulder cut reminds me of a real bad haircut I once survived. I have seen a full sized Gagliano and this is shameful.

I would go so far as to call it shameful in any way. That is a beautiful and sweet sounding Bass. There are many generations of the Gagliano family with the founder having worked with both N.Amati and Strad before returning to Naples. This one is attributed to Joseph Gagliano and I have seen another just like it. Actually, this one sounded better to my ears. Having played both I prefer this one that was cut.

This Bass has been on more recordings with the bow then probably any other single Bass. If not, my statement is close. Homer was the #1 Studio call for DB for decades in NY. Jaws theme was one recording that this Bass has been heard on.

I have played many cut down Basses in my life and this one is about average. Neapolitan instruments in general are usually on the crude side. Here is Homer's Bass along side my Loveri which was cut as well. Carlo Loveri was the maker for the last generation of the Gagliano's. Also, both Basses were used in the NY Philharmonic as well.



And from the front view (notice the FFs how they both hook inwards at the upper eyes);



If I didn't have the Basses I currently have, I would most likely want to bid on this one. The previous asking price in a NY shop for this Gagliano was 200k. Even with a needed costly restoration, anything under 100k is a great price for this Bass and the history that goes with it.

[Silversorcerer]

I think it was a gentler cut on the Loveri. Kind of drastic looking proportionally on the Gagliano. I'm glad it still sounds good.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

I think it was a gentler cut on the Loveri. Kind of drastic looking proportionally on the Gagliano. I'm glad it still sounds good.

I don't know when the Gagliano was cut but possibly before we were both born. It's been like that as long as I can remember. The Loveri was cut in 1937. My Gilkes was cut around 1870 and my former Prescott is estimated to have been cut before 1840.

The sound of this Gagliano has always been known in its 'cut' shape in our lifetime. I suspect that he bought it that way. He had another Italian Bass attributed to Goffriller. The Goffriller, now owned by a former student of Homer's was cut down decades ago by Paul Biase at Homer's request. The Gagliano was his main and favorite Bass used for just about all his playing gigs.

[Matthew Tucker]

[Cosmos]

i can't believe mr. mensch's bass is being auctioned. i'll bet some random person is going to get it who didn't study with him. i wish that bass could stay within the circle of mr. mensch's students. that's what he would have wanted. he let me play that bass in my lesson when i was 14 and my bass was locked backstage at the juilliard theater. i miss him so much (i think all his students do), and now one of the last things that belonged to him is going to be auctioned to some random person.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

In case you guys were not aware Skinner's collects an additional 17.5% commission on the final price from the winning bidder as well as deducts the same from the sellers net return.

A Bass bid to $100k will actually cost you $117,500.oo PLUS Sales Tax unless you are a Dealer with a registered Tax ID#. Then you only save the Tax!

I hear that Christy's Auction House just raised their fees to 25% to both the buyer and seller.. OUCH... Plus tax of course..

[Cosmos]

does anyone know whether the proceeds from the auction of the bass are going to one of the scholarship funds set up after mr. mensch died?

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Cosmos

does anyone know whether the proceeds from the auction of the bass are going to one of the scholarship funds set up after mr. mensch died?

I think the Basses were willed to the Schools he taught in. After a year or so of them on the market, they decided to set the date of sale with this auction. A Tyrolean Bass and a Pfretzschner Bass are also being auction as well. It was thought that the Schools would have divided up the Basses but either they don't need them or can't agree on who gets the Gagliano or they just went for the money to be divided as Homer stated in his Will. I don't really profess to know all that much about the situation, just heard a few things.

I can tell you this though. I have heard through the walls that some serious bidders (and some not so serious) will show up for this Bass. It might be the most exciting Bass Auction in decades. One thing for sure, the winner is not walking away cheap on this one!

The low ball price of 60-80k is a scheme to entice bidders into a frenzy and it just might happen that way.

This time Monday a few days from now, this will all be history.

I have a concert on Sunday and will be using my own fine Italian Cornerless Bass so I will just wait and see like the rest of you guys..

That's all I have to say about that..

[KSB - Ken Smith]

As expected, the Bass went for over 100k. The actual winning bid was $120k. With the 17.5% commission, the buyers net before taxes and shipping (not to mention needed repair costs) was $141k.

I can't go into details about who won the auction other than I think it was a European bidder. As far as the "under bidder" goes (the one who almost won the auction), this too is not public information.

Bottom line is that who ever got this Bass paid a fair market price for it. Happy ending in my book.

FYI, This was an unlabeled uncertified Double Bass believed to made by the Gagliano Family of makers of Naples, Italy in the latter part of the 18th century. I wonder what price the Bass would have with 2 or more sets or Papers/Certificate and an authentic label? Confirmed Pedigree or not, this Bass went for some serious money.

[basswraith]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

As expected, the Bass went for over 100k. The actual winning bid was $120k. With the 17.5% commission, the buyers net before taxes and shipping (not to mention needed repair costs) was $141k.

I can't go into details about who won the auction other than I think it was a European bidder. As far as the "under bidder" goes (the one who almost won the auction), this too is not public information.

Bottom line is that who ever got this Bass paid a fair market price for it. Happy ending in my book.

FYI, This was an unlabeled uncertified Double Bass believed to made by the Gagliano Family of makers of Naples, Italy in the latter part of the 18th century. I wonder what price the Bass would have with 2 or more sets or Papers/Certificate and an authentic label? Confirmed Pedigree or not, this Bass went for some serious money.

How is $138, 000.00 a "fair" market price for a double bass?

Lot# 39 Contrabass, c. 1770, Attributed to the Gagliano Family, unlabeled, length of back 43 1/2 in., 110.5 cm, ... $138,000 Sold

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by basswraith

How is $138, 000.00 a "fair" market price for a double bass?

Lot# 39 Contrabass, c. 1770, Attributed to the Gagliano Family, unlabeled, length of back 43 1/2 in., 110.5 cm, ... $138,000 Sold

I see the results published at a figure of 138k. The winning bid was 120k. The commission added to the price of the buyer is 17.5%. I calculate 141k. It is possible that over 100k it is only 15% as charged or a known international dealer gets that 2.5% discounted as reflected in the price.

*From Skinner's

Prices include a buyer's premium equal to 17.5% of the final bid price up to and including $80,000, plus 10% of the final bid price over $80,000 on each lot sold.

I know 120k won because the under bidder's last bid was 115k and lost.

How is that price fair (138 or 141k if it matters)? There are several great Basses that have sold in the last few years topping 100k. This is one of those great Basses and anything netting under 150k for it is a good price.

I know the market fairly well and know this Gagliano personally as well. If that's what it sold for will all the experienced and knowledgeable buyers bidding, than that's the right price for it. The highest bidder wins!