| Production Kolstein instruments come primarily from Romania. While I have enjoyed having new examples in, particularly the Baker model, cosmetic and quality control issues have made other options more attractive. I would suggest the all-solid violin corner Xuechang Sun Basses (especially the 520 and 920 models) and the larger all-solid instruments by Samuel Shen. The handmade basses that Barrie Kolstein makes himself will be listed in the coming "Handmade Independent Builders" page. | ||
For
more complete description or questions, please email steve_swan@earthlink.net or
call (650) 515-1014. |
||
 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. |
$3500.00 |
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. | $7500.00 |
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. |
$25,000.00 |
Previous offerings
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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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. |
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. |
Recent used prototype Kolstein Guarneri (carved back) 3/4 model |
Carpathian Maple with mild flame figure on neck and ribs, Carpathian Spruce with tight, even grain. Individual heavy brass tuners. Beautiful orange-brown oil varnish over a golden ground. Beautiful arco tone with Flexocore string. Currently strung with Spirocore Weich. Body length 44", Upper bout width 18", C bout width 13 3/4", Lower bout width 26 1/4", Rib depth at tail 8 7/8", Rib depth at upper bout bend 8", Rib depth at neck 6 1/4", String length 41". With Kolstein adjustable bridge. Very few signs of play wear. With free cover. |
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. |
