| Production Kolstein instruments come primarily from Romania. These instruments have the tops regraduated and the bass bar revoiced, in the Kolstein shop, where they are then finished in an antiqued oil varnish and then fitted with fingerboard, Kolstein tuners, bridge, and tailpice The handmade basses that Barrie Kolstein makes himself will be listed in the coming "Handmade Independent Builders" page. | ||
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For more complete
description or questions, please email steve_swan@earthlink.net
or call (650) 515-1014.
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| 2007 Busetto Travel Bass (nsn) | A professional touring doublebass that is both more
lively and responsive than the commonly seen Emminence
travel basses. Slab cut fir top, Poplar back, sides, and D
neck, Montovani style individual tuners, Ebony nut,
fingerboard, tailpiece saddle, and Kolstein tailpiece with
individually adjustable saddles, Maple bridge with
adjusters, Proprietary transducer pickup, Kolstein endpin.
Dimensions are: Body length 40", Upper bout width 13 5/8",
Middle bout width 10 1/2", Lower bout width 18 3/4", Depth
at neck 4", Depth at upper bout bend 4 3/8", Depth at tail 4
5/8", String length 41". Scroll and general body styling
after Prescott instruments. Easy response and lively tone
give this bass a strong edge over most other travel basses.
With small Kolstein touring trunk and soft cover. |
$2375 |
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 2006 Used Kolstein Botti model 3/4 carved back |
Fine to medium grain Carpathian Spruce top, Poplar back and sides, Carpathian Maple neck, Gold Rubner quarter plate tuners, Hill style tailpiece, Adjustable bridge, Gotz endpin, Thinly applied orange-brown antiqued varnish allows a quick, transparent response. Dimensions are: Body length 45 7/8", Upper bout 19 7/8", Center bout 14", Lower bout 25 1/2", Rib depth at tail 9 1/4", Rib depth at upper bout bend 8 1/4", Rib depth at neck 6 7/8", String length 41 1/2". The Poplar back and sides help to provide a rich, smooth bottom end compared to the more focused tone of the Maple version. This bass responds quickly to a bow and can also be a nice jazz bass. The projection is quite good and this instrument should develope nicely with a little more playing time. There is little sign of playing wear, just a shallow sliding dent on the G-side upper bout most probably from a cover zipper. With free cover. |
$3950.00
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2004 Guarneri model |
An exceptionally clean, well-played example that I originally sold brand new. Mildly flame figured Maple back, sides, and neck, Beautiful italianate scroll carving, Fine to medium grain width Spruce top, Brass Single unit tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Wittner tailpiece installed with original Kolstein tailpiece included separately, Kolstein bridge with wooden adjusters, Adjustable endpin, antiqued oil varnish finish. Original and continuing setup and adjustments by Jeff Sahs. Dimensions are: Top length 44 1/2", Upper bout width 17 1/2", Middle bout width 13 3/8", Lower bout width 26", Depth at neck 6", Depth at upper bout bend 7 7/8", Depth at tail 9", String length 40 3/4". The condition of this instrument remains in showroom new condition. The voice has developed into one of great strength and richness. Currently set up with Spirocore mittel strings for combination pizz and arco play, it has had Bel Canto strings used with great success for arco play in a community orchestra. With cover. |
$5500.00
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2003 Barrie Kolstein Lorenzo Carcassi model |
This great orchestral doublebass was
made by Barrie Kolstein for exhibition at the 2003 ISB
convention in Richmond, VA. The consigning owner recently
moved to the east cost and very reluctantly leaves this
bass behind. Willow back and sides, Slab cut Fir two piece
top, Flatback, Maple neck with large italianate scroll,
Heavy brass single unit tuners, 1 15/16" (5 cm) nut width,
Ebony nut and thick fingerboard, Generous neck profile, 41
7/8" (106.4 cm) string length, Kolstein adjustable bridge.
Kolstein Ebony adjustable tailpiece, Kolstein endpin,
Thinly applied antiqued dark reddish brown oil varnish,
Flexocore strings. Dimensions are: Top length: 45 3/4"
(116.2 cm), Upper bout width 19 3/4" (5-.2 cm), Middle
bout width 16 1/8" (41 cm), 25 1/8" (63.8 cm), Depth at
tail 9 5/8" (24.4 cm), Depth at upper bout bend 8 3/4"
(22.2 cm), Depth at neck 5 7/8" (14.9 cm). The narrow
lower bout and significant upper bout break angle make
this bass very easy to play standing or on a stool. The
Willow back and sides, slab cut Fir top, wide center bout,
substantial neck and fingerbaord dimensions, and
substantial top and back plate dimensions all contribute
to the gigantic sound of this bass under a bow. It would
be difficult to find another relatively new doublebass
with a stronger orchestral presence. This instrument
remains in pristine condition. With black Mooradian cover.
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$22,000.00
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Previous offerings
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| 2005 Baker 7/8 Willow Flatback | Another fine example of this very powerful 7/8 willow flatback, also known as the Kolstein Fendt model. I sold this bass brand new to a pizz player who developed the voice through daily play. Carpathian Spruce top, Willow back and sides, Maple neck with beautiful Italianate scroll, Handmade brass single unit tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, and tailpiece saddle, Rosewood Hill style tailpiece, Gotz 10 mm steel rod adjustable endpin, Kolstein bridge with wooden adjusters, Antiqued treatment with dark reddish brown oil varnish. Recent setup adjustments and varnish touchup by Berkeley's Gael McKeon. Dimensions are: Top length 43 5/8", Upper bout width 20 5/8", Middle bout width 15", Lower bout width 26 7/8", Depth at tail 9 3/4", Depth at upper bout bend 8 7/8", Depth at neck 7", String length 42 1/4". Aside from a few minor dings and dents, the bass in excellent condition. The voice is quite powerful and dark for traditional jazz play in the style of 1950s era Ray Brown or Paul Chambers. You can leave the amplifier at home. With cover |
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2005 Baker Model 7/8 |
I welcome back this great English pattern 7/8 Willow flatback orchestral bass. Willow back and sides, Maple neck, Single unit Kolstein brass tuners, Ebony nut, fingerboard, tailpiece and tailpiece saddle, Kolstein adjustable bridge, Kolstein adjustable tailpiece, Kolstein endpin. Dimensions are: Top length 45 1/4", Upper Bout width 20 1/4", Middle Bout width 15 1/4", Lower Bout width 27", Depth at tail 9 5/8", Depth at upper bout bend 8 7/8", Depth at neck 7 1/2". This well cared for English style orchestral model has a huge, thundering voice and will be professional level insturment at a student price. With cover. |
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Recent used Kolstein Botti model 3/4 carved back |
Carpathian Maple back (moderate flame
figure), sides (lighter flame figure with cross-grain ray
flecks indicating perfectly quartered orientation), and
neck (mild rolling flame figure), Carpathian Spruce top
with narrow to medium grain width and lighter winter
growth grain lines than her sister, Crisply cut Italianate
scroll is fitted with Rubner ebony roller tuners that I
like so well, dark ebony fingerboard on a medium profile
neck, Ebony Kolstein adjustable tailpiece, Kolstein
adjustable bridge. Dimensions are: Body length 45 5/8",
Upper bout width 19 3/4", C bout width 14", Lower bout
width 25 5/8", Rib depth at tail 9 1/4", Rib depth at
upper bout bend 8", Rib depth at neck 6 7/8", String
length 41 1/4". Thinly applied deep reddish brown antiqued
oil varnish on a golden ground, Kolstein endpin, Kolstein
secretary bib. Strung with Spirocore weich, this bass has
an easy response with lots of harmonic detail. A superb
arco instrument. With free cover. No visible signs of play
wear.
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| 1969 Kolstein Shop 3/4 carved back |
European Maple with mild flame figure
in the ribs, European Spruce with some hazel figure,
Nickel German halfplate tuners mounted on a crisply cut
scroll (nice edge facets), Gamba corners, Relatively low
arch in the top, Slim neck profile with relatively little
depth taper to body joint, Medium brown varnish on maple
and slightly darker on the spruce top. Dimensions are:
Body length 43", Upper bout width 19 1/4", C bout width 14
1/2", Lower bout width 25 1/2", Rib depth at tail 8 1/4",
Rib depth at upper bout bend 8", Rib depth at neck 6 3/4",
String length 41 7/8". Adjusters added to bridge, Gotz
endpin. There are a few small repaired top cracks and some
repaired rib cracks. Strung with Spirocore weich, this
bass sings with a clear and even voice through all
registers. It reminds me of the best of the Paesolds when
they are played in. Barrie Kolstein tells me that these
basses were brought in from Europe roughed out and then
the final graduation and finish work was done by Sam
Kolstein in their old Merrick shop. This 35 year old bass
is starting to wake up again after some years of storage.
With free cover.
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| New Kolstein Baker Model 7/8 Flatback |
Slab cut willow back and sides, Fine grain European Spruce top, Maple neck with comfortable generous profile and large English style scroll, Individual Baker style heavy brass tuners, Ebony fingerboard, Back length 44-7/8". String length 42", Upper bout width 20-1/4", C cavity width 15-1/4", Lower bout width 26-7/8", Side depth at tail 9-1/4", Side depth at upper bout 8-3/4", side depth at neck 7 1/4". Kolstein adjustable bridge, Kolstein adjustable tailpiece, Kolstein bow quiver, Kolstein secretary bib, Thinly applied dark Italian style oil varnish finish. Tremendous dark, even voice makes this bass an orchestral standout or a jazz behemoth. |
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New Kolstein Baker 7/8 flatback orchestral model |
Slab cut Willow back and sides, Vertical
grain Carpathian Spruce top, Maple neck with a slightly
slimmer profile than the last example, Large English style
with heavy individual brass tuners, Ebony fingerbaord, Ebony
Kolstein adjustable tailpiece, Kolstein adjustable bridge.
Dimensions are: Body length 45", Upper bout width 21", C
bout width 15 3/4", Lower bout width 27 1/2", Rib depth at
tail 9 1/2", Rib depth at upper bout bend 8 3/4", Rib depth
at neck 7", String length 42 1/4". Thinly applied dark
reddish brown oil varnish finish with amber highlights,
Kolstein bow quiver, Kolstein secretary bib. Strung with
Kolstein Heritage Orchestra-Jazz strings, this bass speaks
with a huge, dark vintage voice. These basses are the
loudest instruments that have ever been in my shop! With
free Kolstein cover. |
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