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Double Bass Martin Patitucci Model

Robin Ruscio

Robin Ruscio

Supporting Member
Dec 15, 2003
1,836
373
47
Denver, CO, USA
robinruscio.com
#1
Was checking out Patitucci's sight and noticed he's traveling with a Martin "Patituccui" model. I'm such a huge Patitucci fan I had to check out this instrument on the website, and it's basically a slimmed down version of Martin's solo bass. I've heard good things about Martin's for years but have never played one.

There's a youtube clip he's playing it on that that sounds good.



I'm partial to English style basses like this as I'm playing on a Hawkes Concert Model, though sometimes I wish it was a little smaller (I have some performance injuries) and projected a little better, especially in a modern jazz context, which is my forte, so this along those lines.

What do you think? I looked to find out about Martin basses in general hear and didn't find much.
 
#3
Bijou, I swear I was just thinking about that today!I've got some free time the next few weeks if you want to hang.

I remember you mentioning you still hadn't found an electric you love- you can see what I've come up with after lots of trading around, I'm pretty content with the collection.

Plus I have to show your full page spread in my wedding album!
 
#7
Guys, got the price on this and it's very reasonable. I don't know if it's Kosher to post that here. Also the wait in only 6-8 weeks.

I'm surprised that no one has any response about Martin's in general around here as I've always heard good things about them. Any info? Someone must own one.
 
#10
Robin Ruscio said:
Was checking out Patitucci's sight and noticed he's traveling with a Martin "Patituccui" model. I'm such a huge Patitucci fan I had to check out this instrument on the website, and it's basically a slimmed down version of Martin's solo bass. I've heard good things about Martin's for years but have never played one.

There's a youtube clip he's playing it on that that sounds good.



I'm partial to English style basses like this as I'm playing on a Hawkes Concert Model, though sometimes I wish it was a little smaller (I have some performance injuries) and projected a little better, especially in a modern jazz context, which is my forte, so this along those lines.

What do you think? I looked to find out about Martin basses in general hear and didn't find much.
Click to expand...


I get the feeling that cat would sound great playing a cardboard box but yeah, that's the sound, isn't it?
Everybody in the band seems to have an ability to listen as well as to play and I really enjoyed the video.

Now I'm looking for a CD! ;)
 
#11
Do check out Chris's website, he's doing some nice things, which is not surprising when you read who he has studied and played with.

Edit: Oh, you were talking about Patitucci. Well, yeah. You don't already own all of his CD's? ;) The second clip of Chris Jennings is nice as well, and you can hear the Martin bass better, being played by a solid player.
 
#13
Robin Ruscio said:
Do check out Chris's website, he's doing some nice things, which is not surprising when you read who he has studied and played with.

Edit: Oh, you were talking about Patitucci. Well, yeah. You don't already own all of his CD's? ;) The second clip of Chris Jennings is nice as well, and you can hear the Martin bass better, being played by a solid player.
Click to expand...

No, I was talking about Chris! I found his site and it was additionally gratifying to find that he's Canadian! ;)

Looks like he's on quite a few records...
 
#14
arnoldschnitzer said:
Robin, are you referring to the handmade Martin basses, or the Hungarian ones they varnish and set up?
Click to expand...

The handmade ones. I'm lucky to be playing basses of that caliber at this point in my career.:) Currently, I'm playing on a very good condition Hawkes Concert model and I would be getting some money out of it if I switch.

Your basses are an option as well, BTW.
 
#15
....so Robin,... I must ask...
How can you tell from a video on youtube that you are hearing the sound you are looking for?...
...also I only heard that guy play pizz. Great player! btw
but there are some many variants involved, especially considering that even if you order a new bass it will most likely sound unique too, and therefore different than that one.
And then... well, you have the most amazing bass as it is...
 
#16
That's the total problem of course. It does sound like the direction I want to go, and if you look at the clip, there's some nice hi end mic in front of the bass, I think that's what we're hearing rather than a video camera. There's more arco clips out there of the Martins if you look- including the recording's Thomas did of many Bottesini pieces, which are very good, BTW. Patitucci plays some arco on one of the clips as well.

There's a chance that DU might be getting a few Martin's in and hopefully that will be the case and I can play them in person before ordering one. They do sell them on approval, so if I got one and didn't like it, I don't have to keep it. That being said, I'd probably not do buy anything without seeing it first, so maybe I will go to ISB convention this year and play some things, or NYC.

Said amazing bass will be for sale at some point if you want to start saving your pennies. It's pricey, though. Did you play the Monroney Morelli yet? I played it at Houstons last night, great jazz bass- you should check it out sometime, nice price as well.

Chris is a nice player, lots of nice modern influences that I like. Why are we living in Denver and not Paris ourselves? Perhaps you could move out there and try it for a few years. I can cover your gigs here meanwhile. ;)
 
#18
I'm very curious what that axe costs as well. I noticed some of the other Martin basses were selling for around $20,000 - and that's about what I would expect. Not that I'm planning on forking down $20,000 anytime soon, but, his uprights always sound just about exactly what I want in a jazz upright, so I'm curious what it's going to cost me when that time comes.

Anyone know if he's playing the Martin here? I mean, this bass sounds remarkable:

 
#19
arnoldschnitzer said:
Robin, are you referring to the handmade Martin basses, or the Hungarian ones they varnish and set up?
Click to expand...

Ouch! They come from Hungary with the table lightly fixed on. At Martins it is then removed and further 'thicknessed' before reassembly. I'm not sure what but I know that quite a lot more work is carried out so 'varnish and set up' doesn't quite do the Martins' work justice.
 
#20
FWIW, this is an old thread.

I checked out the Martins at the ISB over a year ago. Not bad, but not at the top of my list compared to the other 40 basses that were in that price range I played. They only brought some bigger models, so that alone was a deal breaker, but I certainly many other things that had more the sound I was looking for.

I bought a bass from Nick Lloyd instead. Very pleased. Nick has a conservatory model that's in the same price range.
 

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