Amati

Description of the condition of a highly important and rare Italian double bass by Hieronymus II Amati, Cremona, 1680

General:

As can be expected of an instrument of this age, made in a period where modern traffic and climatised halls yet to be invented, the bass has experienced numerous injuries. It has had all the various repairs done, highly likely in workshops throughout Northern Italy and other countries in Europe. However, considering the life-span of at least three Centuries, the bass is in an amazing and excellent condition, and ranks amongst the finest in the world, both visually and tonally.

Belly:

The belly is made of pine in five pieces of narrow to medium grain, of which we now know through dendrochronological research that all pieces match the cross-reference. The instrument has a low to medium arching, raising directly without any trace of fluting from the purfling.

Back:

The flat back is made of two pieces of Italian ash, with original wings added. The thickness thoughout is 6 mm, or slighly over, reason why the back-table is in such fine condition. The slant starts at 95 cm. from the bottom of the back for ease of playing.

Scroll:

The head is made of plain maple, cut similarly as scrolls of smaller instruments known of this maker.

Sound:

As mentioned above, this instrument ranks amongst the finest as the sound is of an amazing depth and richness. From low E-string to high end of the G-string the bass has a broad palette of sounds, even throughout it’s full registers.

Varnish:

The varnish is of a stunning beauty, particularly recognisable at the belly. Under UV-light all major parts, although slightly difficult recognisable after many a century, are homogenous and of the highly esteemed Cremonese quality.