Rivotti bass

[LouisF]

Kolstein's has the following bass for auction on Ebay, by Luigi Rivotti, Argentinian, @ 1920's:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQfgtpZ1QQ...QsassZkolstein

I've asked my friend Adrian Giormenti in Buenos Aires if he knew anything about Rivotti, and they came up blank (Adrian and his cousins run Auday-Giormenti, a respected bass lutherie in BA. Gustavo Auday is professor of bass at the national conservatory).

Anyone know anything?

Louis

[LouisF]

Thanks, Ken. Both my friends in BA come from the kind of Italian families you describe. I believe Barrie had this bass listed in the shop at one time for $20K, so it's good to get a report on it... even a brief one.

And did you tell me you were going in on Friday?

Thanks

Louis

[LouisF]

Has your son had a class with Camille Paglia yet at Uof A? She's a buddy of mine from various Shakespeare conferences, and despite her PR sometimes, a very good teacher.

Did you get a chance to play or hear any of the Jiri Polovny/CZ basses there (or elsewhere). Because of the on-going back/bursitis problems, I've been looking around for smaller topped basses than my Maggini, and both of these (Rivotti & CZ), as well as a bass by Sergio Scaramelli and a couple of 5/8ths basses in Boston at Volker Nahrmann's are of interest.

I'll be making an east coast run later in the summer, but would be happy for your opinion, if you have time.

Thanks

Louis

[LouisF]

Camille Paglia is one of the major, if controversial, cultural critic in the US today. She's come out recently with an anthology of poems she believes everyone should read, as well as essays on the Western "canon" - Home, Chaucer, Shakepeare, etc, as well as being one of the most important - and again controversial - feminist critics. She was the keynote speaker on 3-day conference I ran here called "Shakespeare, Passion and the Body Politic", in conjunction with the LA Cenral Library...

(I think we've broke new ground on a talk bass thread!)

Back to basses...

I have found a terrifiic 3-string Tyrolean church bass here, that is in the process of a major restoration by Nick Roubas
(http://www.violuthier.com/), who did the work on my Argentine bass (see in the photo on his website)... Nick is carving a new back, and going from the inside out on all the cracks etc, etc... We hope to have the bass ready for ISB, where I'll be doing my one man show (Patrick Suskind's THE DOUBLE BASS)

Maybe I can plan time to visit your shop on the east coast run.

PM's sent.

Thanks again

Louis

[kontrabass]

Originally Posted by LouisF

(I think we've broke new ground on a talk bass thread!)

A bit of intellectualism doesn't hurt anyone!

That bass is beautiful. If only I could try it out..

[LouisF]

Did you mean mine (the Argentine bass on Nick's website) or the Rivotti (the "other" Argentine bass)?

I think Nick did a stunning job refinishing the bass, replacing the sound post, reshaping the neck etc. I'LL TRY to put up photos of the work in the Repair forum. He's going to do an 1840's 3-stringer I found.

Louis

PS: I just sent you an email about the Magginis

[bribass]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

Yes, I saw and played that Bass yesterday at Kolsteins but only briefly. Looks like a well made Bass on the Italian tradition. Remember now, many Italians fled Europe during WWI and II. Some were makers already in Italy b4 leaving. My old Italian Bass acquired in 1973 (and sold about 20 years later) came up from Argentina as it had been there for decades escaped along with its owner in the early 20th century. I have heard of a few Basses over the years with Italian names coming from Argentina.

The Ebay price is 8k, right around a high end Chinese Bass or mid priced Czech or German shop Bass. Sounds like a good deal if you happen to like that Bass. I would suggest taking a trip out there and checking it out. At 86 years old or so, it is not likely to crack that much here in USA where it's been most of the time. At least with this Bass, you can predict it's future as far as movement goes.

Maybe if you had asked friday I would have spent a littl more time with the Bass and give a more detailed report. Sorry...

I have seen this bass on the Kolstein website many times and I did also play it briefly also at Barries's. I always thought it had beautiful proportions and style, but I remember not being as as impressed right away when I played it.

BG

[Paul Warburton]

I've always wondered what Barry uses to clean machines? He soaks them in something, i'm sure. They're even spotless under the cogs and worm gears. Kenny-Boy?

[Paul Warburton]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

Gee, i wasn't aware i had to run my schedule by you..lol

Kenny Boy...you're such a Sweetie.