*OFF MARKET* Roberto Giormenti hand carved bass (prototype)

[LouisF]

This is the bass I talk about here:

Best New Basses

It's a year old and was checked out by Lisa Gass, Lemur, Hammond Ashley etc, when Roberto brought it up to LA for input and feed back. His new model (almost identical visually) will be at the ISB.

As a prototype, this bass has a few issues: it's a bit heavy and the top a bit thick. There is a scratch/crack on the bottom right bout about 5" long, that is unrepaired, but seems stable. This was done during shipping from Buenos Aires to LA.

There is a little bit of chipping in the varnish. Roberto has since adjusted his formula for the new bass. His bass comes with a hollow steel tube endpin (of Roberto's design), but I use an Atomic endpin on it, which seems to warm things up. Roberto machines the tuning gears, end pin etc, all in his own shop.

I played the bass in a concert at Disney Hall last year and it performed well, but could certainly use some adjusting, set up and playing in.

The asking price is $7500 (about half of what he will be asking for the new basses), and I think, even given the caveats above, it's a steal. The bass has a warm, luminous tone and a very resonant bottom.

All the money goes right to Roberto to build the next one. I don't get any commission etc... But he does call it the "Fantasia model" bass!

Upper Bout: 19 ¾ inches
Lower Bout: 26 inches
Rib Depth: 9 inches
String Length: 42 inches

Any questions, feel free to email me or PM me.

Thanks,

Louis

More photos, including the crack. The amber color (in the photo with the two basses above) is closer to reality than the scroll photo here. I took these with the cell phone camera. Sorry.

Louis

Two more photos - for a tango-like "bump".

Thanks,

Louis

[PRUNEFACE]

Beautiful

[spoonido]

Drool worthy, I'm sure.
A little over my head, price-wise, unfortunately, but I wouldn't mind having a listen.

[LouisF]

Steve Swan will be showing Roberto's new bass at ISB. This one will be staying in LA with me through the summer. I'll probably have the crack fixed and some other set up work done to it by September. Thanks

Louis

[Eric Hochberg]

Look forward to playing it at ISB.

[Steve Swan]

The "Prototype #2" is a slightly larger 7/8 version with a custom built C extension.

[LouisF]

Denisa Hanna, who worked at Stein on Vine for many years, is going to start the repairs after the 4th of July - fix the crack, new bridge, Marvin tailpice, plane the fingerboard, basic set-up.

I may decide to keep this one if it turns out well, but, I'll keep the thread updated.

Louis

[LouisF]

The bass has been completely repaired (as described above) and is available. This is a great bass for the money and really needs to be played. I'll throw in the cost of the repairs (Roberto and I will work it out!) and can ship the bass.

Otherwise it becomes my #3 bass, and won't get the playing time it deserves.

Price, repaired with Permanents etc as above, is $7500.

Louis

[LouisF]

I've been using this bass for rehearsals of "Turandot" this week and I'm in love with the bass. It's a great section instrument, so...

I'm going to keep it!

If you want Roberto's other carved bass, see Steve Swan. I think it's a steal at the price:

Steve Swan Guitars: Photo Gallery

Thanks, all.

Louis