*SOLD* Gaetano Rossi, Milan, 1845 Double Bass: discussion with George Martin *SOLD*

We are proud to have sold this rare and important Italian double bass made by Gaetano Rossi in Milan in 1845. This particular model was developed in collaboration with the famous double bassist Giovanni Bottesini and his teacher Luigi Rossi, who was Gaetano Rossi’s brother. It is the first time we see a well-planned double bass that, while large, was designed with playability in mind. This design has had a major impact on new instruments and serves as inspiration for many modern double bass makers. Description: The front is constructed from two pieces of spruce with varying grain widths and has large wings at the lower bout flanks and a small wing at the upper bout bass side flank. The back is round with a break and is constructed from two pieces of half slab-cut fruitwood. Both the front and back have a single line of purfling. The sides are made from similar fruitwood to the back. The head is carved from fruitwood and fitted with four German machine heads. The instrument is covered in an amber-red varnish laid over a light brown ground. String length: 106.8cm Length of back: 122.5cm Rib depth: 19.9cm Upper bout: 51cm Middle bout: 34.5cm Lower bout: 71cm #doublebass #rossi #musician #georgemartin