Double Bass Andreas Morelli

[bassmastan]

Hi all,

I have messaged a few people and have gotten some mixed reviews. how do we feel about Andreas Morelli basses for solo/orchestral playing? I know theyre a cut above juzeks but does anyone play one?

 

[Steve Swan]

The prewar basses made by the Karl Hermann shop are clearly superior to the postwar examples made by Saumer. The prewar basses can be great sounding instruments, though the earlier 42 5/8" string length can take some getting used to for some contemporary players.

 

[bassmastan]

The prewar basses made by the Karl Hermann shop are clearly superior to the postwar examples made by Saumer. The prewar basses can be great sounding instruments, though the earlier 42 5/8" string length can take some getting used to for some contemporary players.

It has the longer stringlength not sure the exact year but its advertized as mid 20th Century (hopefully 30s or 40s). do you think they make a great classical instrument? ive heard theyre loud but some say theyre like juzeks...

 

[Eric Hochberg]

It has the longer stringlength not sure the exact year but its advertized as mid 20th Century (hopefully 30s or 40s). do you think they make a great classical instrument? ive heard theyre loud but some say theyre like juzeks...

Those I've seen have been larger than most 3/4 Juzeks. 7/8 Juzeks are less common. I do know that Arnold S worked on one for Ken Smith and it was supposed to be a great orchestra bass after he performed his magic.

 

[bassmastan]

Those I've seen have been larger than most 3/4 Juzeks. 7/8 Juzeks are less common. I do know that Arnold S worked on one for Ken Smith and it was supposed to be a great orchestra bass after he performed his magic.

I read that before! This one is a violin corner one... Like I said I have heard on both sides, they're great Factory instruments (lots of nuance good basses) and other that say they're just loud Juzeks (very middy, jack of all trades and master of none)

 

[bassmanbrent]

I've only seen a couple Morelli basses. One was a great sounding jazz bass and the other was really lovely looking but didn't have much of a sound. My guess is that the build quality and materials are a step up from Juzeks from the same era, but that they might not make the best orchestral/solo instruments. That's just my unqualified opinion

 

[james condino]

The real question is how do YOU feel about the particular bass???? The ones that I have seen have been well constructed basses of nice materials and they seem to be a sleeper on the market as far as price goes- worth checking out. If you like the voice and the setup and then have it checked out internally by a good bass luthier and the price works for you, then it should be a strong candidate.

With all bass purchases, patience rules. Jump on a mediocre possibility for convenience and you are guaranteed to find a great bass a week later when you are out of $$$$; remember that the absolute best time of the year to buy a bass is after the holidays until about Marc 31. Nobody spends any money then so it is a buyers market but by April 1st summer gigs and festivals start getting booked and people suddenly have hope so prices and demand go up. Good luck

 

[peterpalmieri]

I owned a Morelli for a number of years, 20's vintage. It was the best bass I found in my price range and used it in college and for a few years after when I studied with Julius Levine. That was 20+ years ago, after deciding to pursue another career rather then a graduate music program I sold the bass. I had the sense that the bass could have carried me a long way.

It was a lifetime ago but I wouldn't discount the name but I'd also not worry to much about the pedigree and worry about finding one bass that works best.

 

[bassmastan]

Lots of interesting info! thank you all!