Solano Basses

[61precision]

Anyone have info/opinions on basses made by Rumano Solano? I have contacted two different persons who are selling Solano basses. One bass is a 3/4 gamba, and the other is a larger Klotz model. The wood seems very plain on these basses, but the Klotz model is very nice looking shape. I am interested in knowing about the quality of his lutherie and the materials he uses. Also, do his basses hold up physically in the long term? Do they mature in tone and volume with playing?

Thanks in advance,

GW

[61precision]

Isn't there anyone out there with info on Solano basses?

[brooklynbassed]

Hey "61". Yes, there is quite a lot of talk from experience with Rumano Solano's basses. I'm not a first hander, but I have played one of my student's Solano basses several years ago. It was a nice instrument, and much cheaper then, than they are now. You should troll these forums here for information. Do your search. It's there. Good luck!

[GriffithLea]

Originally Posted by 61precision

Isn't there anyone out there with info on Solano basses?

Hey, give us time - we're all out playing concerts.

I do not own a Solano bass, but I will soon. Last summer I commissioned one like Aaron's in this thread:

My new bass!

When I was looking at Aaron's bass, I also played a 3/4 by Solano that was some sort of prototype, and I really liked it. If I could afford to have two basses...

[JoeyNaeger]

I own a Solano and happen to love it, but not all of his instruments are consistent. Obviously, you'll want to play on them if you're considering buying one, but you should find out how old they are and what repairs they've needed too. That will give you atleast some idea of how they well they will hold up.

[Ed Fuqua]

Member here who posts under the name MONTE owns one, you could probably e-mail him through the site...

[.matthew e wengerd.]

Read a bit about mine here:
My blog post.

[Marcus Johnson]

I love that bass, especially the top. Schweeet. The tailpiece still flips me out a bit....

[Snakewood]

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I love that bass, especially the top. Schweeet. The tailpiece still flips me out a bit....

how much do his basses cost? they look very good quality.

[GriffithLea]

Matthew, thanks for posting the link to your blog post. If you have time, I'd be interested to know if your weight-reduction efforts were aimed solely at getting a brighter and/or louder sound, or was there also an issue with portage?

Can you say a little more about the rib doubling? I understood you to blog that Rumano built the bass with doubled lower bout ribs, and doubled the upper bout ribs later as a repair (presumably the top had to come off). I'm just curious - what was the nature of the problem that prompted the repair?

Do you know if Rumano carves those tailpieces himself? I've asked him to put a Pecanic adjustable compensated tailpiece on mine, and my mother (yes, my mother - you have no idea) is very put out that I'm not getting the tailpiece with the pretty carving. Maybe I can arrange to get the Pecanic carved the same way.

I guess I can just ask Rumano - it's probably time to check in with him again and see what the progress is. I try not to bug him too much because I don't want him to feel rushed.

[dkpawlowski]

I have a Klotz style Solano and it has a great sound. I think it sounds as good or better than than a friends $40k bass. But, as has been discussed, it is big and heavy. Unfortunately this is becoming an issue for me, and I'm afraid I will be putting it up for sale. For a younger, or stronger player it is a great value.

[mpm]

Matthew, thats one pretty bass! And Marcus, don't you mean 'tailpieces'?

[.matthew e wengerd.]

Originally Posted by GriffithLea

Matthew, thanks for posting the link to your blog post. If you have time, I'd be interested to know if your weight-reduction efforts were aimed solely at getting a brighter and/or louder sound, or was there also an issue with portage?

Can you say a little more about the rib doubling? I understood you to blog that Rumano built the bass with doubled lower bout ribs, and doubled the upper bout ribs later as a repair (presumably the top had to come off). I'm just curious - what was the nature of the problem that prompted the repair?

Do you know if Rumano carves those tailpieces himself? I've asked him to put a Pecanic adjustable compensated tailpiece on mine, and my mother (yes, my mother - you have no idea) is very put out that I'm not getting the tailpiece with the pretty carving. Maybe I can arrange to get the Pecanic carved the same way.

I guess I can just ask Rumano - it's probably time to check in with him again and see what the progress is. I try not to bug him too much because I don't want him to feel rushed.

Thanks, GLea. The effort to reduce weight was exclusively a tone issue for me. I have a nice pneumatic wheel, so transport isn't too bad (I've lifted heavier things working in an office) and the Laborie endpin takes plenty of the perceived weight off when playing.

The rib-doubling was because I had several cracks in the treble shoulder, near the C-bouts. I had one or two develop naturally and were easily repaired at home. There an impact stress that caused several cracks I could not deal with one my own, necessitating the removal of the top. The ribs feel much sturdier now.

About the tailpiece, I have heard several stories, but Rumano told me a person he knows in Italy carved them. I have seen some that were "aged," with darkened shadow areas. I know Rumano has opened a shop in Italy, so he may have easy access to them.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

[thedbassist]

That looks like a really nice bass, the wood is so odd though(not a negative criticism). So, do you know about the rabbath workshop? Oh yeah, a laborie endpin is so much better.

[Big B.]

I have an 8 year old five string solano and I get constant compliments on the sound and power. Just played a gig with my old teacher who hasnt heard it in several years and was shocked by how much it has opened up. some I have played are not as good.