This bass belongs to the Royal Swedish Opera. There have been numerous writings and investigations around this instrument, and most of them ends up in concluding that this actually IS a genuine Maggini instrument. Probably owned by an italian ensemble who visited Stockholm in 1652.
I actually have a book published by the opera with detailed information about everything worth knowing about this instrument. Maybe some of you have read it (in swedish).
My question is:
Is it possible that this is a genuine Maggini bass?
Have anybody seen Maggini basses similar to this one?
Is the bass on elgar page 98 labeled? Is it genuine?
Ken - Haven't you played a Maggini bass? What do you think...?
I think there are way way more Magginis, d'Salos and 'you name its' floating around that could not have been made by the real guys. There were always other makers following trends that made their stuff look like the famous guy. I wish we knew all the real names who made those Basses.
True, and there is no doubt that this is a beautiful, very old instrument whoever made it! I'd love to play it...
Thoveld Fredin used to teach at the National Youth Orchestra of Canada when I was there. He mentioned he played this bass. I think he said it wasn't allowed to leave the pit and there was a little climate controlled room down there to store it.
