Michael Asetta - String instrument sales and repairs

December 26, 2020

Testore 18th century bass – rare historic instrument available NOW!

Extraordinary 1/2 size double bass attributed to the Testore family makers of Milan, Italy. An heirloom instrument, the age was ascribed to the first half of the 18th century. Coloration is identified with the makers: brown varnish over a yellow base. Originally a three string bass – three tuning gears are matching with the fourth…

December 20, 2020

Coming soon – satellite workshop

Removed from travel opportunities, we chose to acquire a new place of our own to safely visit during these pandemic times. This old house project has consumed every possible moment for the past six months. The reward though will be solidly worth it – a new family home in Newport, Rhode Island. We look forward…

December 20, 2020

Travel research will come back, post pandemic

We miss our European adventures! Having traveled to the historic string instrument communities, Mike has returned with improved knowledge plus instruments. Our favorite stops have included Mittenwald, Bubenreuth, Markneukirchen, Luby (Czech Republic), Cremona, and Innsbruck. Mittenwald’s Stringed Instrument Museum (Geigenbaumuseum) provides a detail history of violin making from the mid-1600’s through the 20th century. Here…

December 8, 2020

Oh the weather outside is frightful, for the bass it is NOT delightful…….

Changes in humidity may have a severe impact on any acoustic double bass! Especially at risk are fully carved instruments – the method of constructing the finest new and vintage instruments. Durability is designed into laminated basses with crisscrossed layers and overlapping grain patterns. Working musicians active in snowy climates face the added danger of…

November 8, 2020

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,…

September 3, 2020

Example 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…

July 27, 2020

European crafted double bass by Josef Budil

Great sounding masterfully crafted viol shaped double bass (1997), 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…

July 26, 2020

Restoration Project – completed and living anew, then sold!!

Complete re-build of 1971 Gotz round-back bass. Began with only bass body, hand carved new neck, grafted old scroll to neck, set neck to body, refinishing as needed. Soon another great bass ready for you to take home – and she was sold, revived and living again! Maker labeled: Conrad Gotz 1971 West Germany “Model…

June 11, 2020

Superb bass by Czech Master – Jaroslav Lavicka

Master bass “Grancino” 2001 by Czech maker Jaroslav Lavicka – simply a “must see” gorgeous bass with both vertical and horizontal striping in the spectacular maple back. Schooled in Luby, Czech, then apprenticed to the violin makers in this region, Jaroslav, who also plays the violin, specializes in the making of the Grancino model. Prior…

May 8, 2020

Craftsmanship, to an Art!

Elevating craftsmanship to an art! Combining woodworking excellence with high level music performance – artist and luthier Mike Asetta knows how your instrument should sound AND how you will enjoy its playability. If you are seeking high quality repair or restoration of your string instrument, seek out Mike Asetta. Mike repairs all string instruments, violins…