Michael Asetta - String instrument sales and repairs

American Standard Bass Number 273 made in 1937

January 3, 2016

Current Restoration Project: 1937 American Standard

A lengthy “top off” restoration of a historic instrument for a New York performer is Mike Asetta’s current restoration project. The instrument requiring attention is a rare American Standard double bass from 1937, the second year of production of these instruments by H. N. White Company. This instrument is the 273rd American Standard bass, built…

January 2, 2016

Early American “Yankee” bass or “Precott family” – Two basses undergoing intensive restoration

Meticulous work underway with the goal of returning two centuries old instruments to playable condition for today’s performance specifications. One is a half size instrument, a beautiful example of the unique construction techniques practiced by the early “bass viol” makers in the Concord New Hampshire area. The second appears to be a perfect twin to…

September 27, 2015

Select European Instruments – Strunal = String Instruments of Luby (Czech)

An exclusive selection of European double basses hand-picked by Mike Asetta is available in the Asetta String showroom today, these include hybrid and fully carved instruments, exceptionally crafted Czech string instruments produced from rare, unusual, and spectacular woods. The western Czech village of Luby on the German border, in the historic regions of western Bohemia and…

September 22, 2015

Lou DiLeone

Mentor and friend, finest double bass craftsman, of world renown and still sought by the most exceptional bass players in the New York metropolitan area, Lou DiLeone: With a reputation for providing superior workmanship, even perfection, while radiating with his love of the double bass instrument, a myriad of internationally famous bass players have sought…

September 10, 2015

Zakopcanik – Master Craftsman

Mike Asetta is honored to count as a friend one of the finest double bass makers in the world today: Frantisek Zakopcanik. Zakopcanik has extensive recognition in Europe; entering international instrument contests in Italy in 1976 and 1979, competing against makers with the training provided at the finest European schools. His prizes include a…

August 29, 2015

European crafted double bass by Josef Budil

Great sounding masterfully crafted viol shaped double bass, by Czech maker Josef Budil. Schooled in Luby, Czech, then apprenticed to the violin makers in this region of Czech Republic and Germany where the main industry in this area for centuries is string instrument making. Budil is dedicated to the double bass as both a player…

July 3, 2015

Kay Basses

Kay Double Bass – an iconic symbol of America’s creative greatness – innovative designs to meet the burgeoning demand of the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. In those decades, mastering a musical instrument was a talent enjoyed and respected by the majority of Americans. Live Big Band music was omnipresent: Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington,…

June 29, 2015

The soundpost is a simple transmitter, hundreds of years before radio it was broadcasting sound. How can a short, round, wood post make much of a difference to my string instrument?

Lets review how the soundpost works! The player initiates the sound by vibrating the string either through arco or pizzicato (bowed or plucked) methods. The string transfers the vibration, directing it through the bridge. The bridge extends the vibration to the instrument’s top. The top, like a pond of once still water, expands the vibrations…

June 21, 2015

Wood Selection

Scouring Europe for alpine spruce and hard maple, exceptional quality wood for repair projects and new double basses! Inquiries invited, please contact Mike to discuss repair concern or restoration project at 860-685-1621 or email mike@mikeasetta.com

June 5, 2015

Concerts

Although a classically trained musician and graduate of Yale School of Music, Michael discovered jazz was how he expresses his musical voice. Music samples and event updates are at asettamusic.com. Mike served in the United States Air Force Band, was stationed in Germany, and toured with the Air Force Jazz Ambassadors. Mike also covered the…