Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Sheridan
There are "Italian" violin family instruments from the 19th and 20th centuries that originated in Germany, and today there are a fair number of "Italian" violins that originally came from China.
Not all Italian instruments have the "Italian" sound.
Much of Italian workmanship is not very good.
The work that came out of Italy between 1550 and 1750 bares almost no resemblance to 19th and 20th century work.
19th and 20th century American made violin family instruments have been and probably still are being sold to Europe where they get relabled as Italian.
Nearly any skilled workman can imitate the work of another worker from another country.
If it looks like pasta and tastes like pasta, it's probably pasta (but maybe not).
Just some observations.
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OK, BUT there ARE Italian Basses with outer moldings and dovetail joints. This is without a doubt. Italian labels fall into many many instruments that are not Italian. Some of them are actually Italian.
Martin, is there really a place called Italy? Just checking..
I have owned many Italian Basses. Only about half of them were properly labeled or labeled at all. These were all 20th century Basses. In 100-200 years from now someone will put my Martini label in a Juzek/Wilfer and sell it as Italian. Mark my words..
I have had almost as many come thru here labeled or claiming to be Italian that were not so I have personally experienced it both ways.
Martin, you are welcome to come over and inspect my Basses.