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Model based on double bass from
c. 1600
Gasparo da Salò (Brescia, b. 1542
d. 1568)
String Length 107cm (42 *”)
The Instrument
It is truly amazing that Gasparo da Salò, one of the
earliest bass and violin makers, produced some of the best
instruments ever. Despite their four hundred year vintage,
they are still incredibly well balanced instruments and wonderful
examples of the attention to detail that is the hallmark of
the very best makers.
Luckily for us, da Salò’s custom came largely
from the wealthy which meant that he was able to use materials
of the highest quality and practise time-intensive and costly
methods. Hence, all of da Salò’s instruments feature
exquisitely and accurately crafted double purfling and are
often constructed from unusual woods such as pear, poplar
or four-piece spruce tables. The varnish is another aspect
which sets da Salò’s instruments apart from those
of his contemporaries. Appearing brown in the first instance,
a closer look reveals an attractive reddish chestnut hue,
beneath which a spidery craquelé adds complexity and
depth; it really looks amazing! The setting of the f-holes
is perhaps a century ahead of other makers, such as Maggini,
and utterly unique. This, together with the characteristic
black painted ornamentation, set Gasparo da Salò in
a league of his own as a maker.
Although quite large, as far as basses go, this da Salò
model is fabulously easy to play.
About da Salò
It remains a point of historical debate as to whether it was
Gasparo da Salò or Andrea Amati who pioneered the design
of the violin as we know it today. Even so, da Salò
was undoubtedly one of the earliest and most influential violin
makers in Northern Italy. Among his students was the famous
Giovanni Paolo Maggini.
Link to article
on Gasparo da Salò published in the Double Bassist
20, Spring 2002
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