Lombardi 1976

Jason Sypher · #1 04-15-2011, 01:17 PM

After some time with this bass I am quite smitten with it. It's a very unique instrument. Lombardi basically has just one model. Mine is different than any other I've tracked down. Upon looking at Italian basses in the books I find that Lombardi was following some well known Italians before him. The one 'feature' I have not been able to find in any other bass is the edging. Lombardi did not bother to use purfling on this bass. He simply carved out an edge along the entire instrument. I wonder if anyone out there has ever seen such a feature on any other bass?

IMG_0511 by mingusbeat, on Flickr

IMG_0513 by mingusbeat, on Flickr

ole Jason · #2 04-15-2011, 03:25 PM

Can't say I've ever seen it on another bass but it is very cool. Kind of a "fine furniture" vibe!

The figuring in the wood under the end of the fingerboard looks interesting

Eric Hochberg · #3 04-15-2011, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ole Jason

The figuring in the wood under the end of the fingerboard looks interesting

That would be slab cut, correct? Once again, beautiful bass.

Jason Sypher · #4 04-15-2011, 03:36 PM

Yeah, three piece slab cut top.

Matt Ides · #5 04-15-2011, 03:41 PM

Beautiful bass!

Barron · #6 04-15-2011, 04:32 PM

I'm smitten too. Go figure.

JasonBurnham · #7 04-15-2011, 09:22 PM

I think I fell in love.

**Matthew Tucker** · #8 04-15-2011, 09:24 PM

Xavier Jacquet used similar edgework with purfling as well.

All the Lombardi's I've seen pictures of look very hurriedly made.

Jason Sypher · #9 04-16-2011, 05:18 AM

That's right, I forgot about Jacquet. You're right about Lombardi, he seems to just kind of rough them out, throw on some varnish and be done with it. I've played four now. Some are more "finished" than others. As you know there a a lot of old Italian basses made this way, some far more extreme. I'm not sure if Lombardi was lazy or following a tradition. There are odd details like the neck block that took more time than a typical block. When people see this bass they always think it's very old. Sharp eyes always guess it's Italian. Although it still bites back a bit under the bow the bass continues to open up and is very punchy, loud and present.

forester · #10 04-16-2011, 07:22 AM

slabsawn what? looks like poplar with the natural blue/gray stain underneath.

i like...

ole Jason · #11 04-16-2011, 07:29 AM

It really does look like a much older bass.

uprightben · #12 04-16-2011, 10:20 AM

I really like the design/outline of it. I'd love to see a pic of the back and scroll. What do you mean about a neck bock that took more time?

Jason Sypher · #13 04-16-2011, 10:51 AM

Eric Swanson · #14 04-16-2011, 12:57 PM

Jason,

I have been wondering how you liked your new bass, a few weeks into ownership. Very happy to hear that it is working out well.

For those who haven't seen these before, here are more photos and dims of this bass:

Giuseppe Lombardi

Again, congratulations on making a match that is working well.

basstef · #15 04-16-2011, 01:19 PM

...being born close to where the Lombardi's workshop is, I took a chance to made a visit there last year. Giuseppe's son, named Foscolo Lombardi, now around 75, is still working as a luthier. Giuseppe passed away about 15-20 years ago. Foscolo also mainly deals with basses, although his work is even more rough than his father's. I've owned and sold 2 Giuseppe Lombardi basses in the past but yours, Jason, looks like the best made I've seen so far. I am sure it sounds great. Enjoy it !

Jason Sypher · #16 04-16-2011, 02:01 PM

IMG_0538 by mingusbeat, on Flickr

Jason Sypher · #17 04-16-2011, 02:10 PM

@bastef
Thats great information, thanks. I kind of started to look around to find out more about the guy. If I had him in the room I would ask him a lot of questions about why he did things the way he did. Ken Smith, who sold me the bass, said that Lombardi's appeared in NY in the late seventies and that he was asking 4.5K for a new bass. At the time this was a rather preposterous price as old classic Italian basses were about that same price. All I can gather is he thought a lot of his skills though he didn't seem to care too much for detailed aesthetics. I had seen a few Lombardi's before at Kolsteins and I always had the same thought upon playing them: I want to like this bass, it's very cool looking but kind of funky in that it doesn't quite feel quite finished or something. Of course, I wasn't in the market for a bass in this price range and was mostly interested in old pedigree basses. When I first saw this one I passed it right by in favor of some others in Ken's fine stable. But when I played the first note I took notice. It wasn't as refined but it had a lot of sound and the sound sprung off the bass. When I got her home I immediately realized that it was not as easy to bow as I had thought and had my doubts. But, as with most basses, as I played it I made my adjustments and the bass made hers. I'll always pine for the finest basses as is my true nature but I am happy with this instrument and feel like it is helping me express what I want to express, the way I want to express it.

basstef · #18 04-16-2011, 02:19 PM

Jason, hope you enjoy :

here's Foscolo Lombardi, Giuseppe's son, talking about his work

YouTube - FOSCOLO IL LIUTAIO

Dovadola is a small village on the hills between Ravenna and Forlì, about 60-70 km from Bologna. I grew up in that area.

Jason Sypher · #19 04-16-2011, 02:27 PM

Do you know any other basses by him online or any other info on Giuseppe? Are there basses owned locally?

basstef · #20 04-16-2011, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Sypher

Do you know any other basses by him online or any other info on Giuseppe? Are there basses owned locally?

mmmhh not really, other than the 2 at Kolstein's and the other one at K.Smith's . There was one for sale in a French shop a while ago, I wonder if I still have the photo...

I don't know anyone here with a Giuseppe Lombardi instrument in his hands. And I know lots of players.