The Canotto upright acoustic bass is a pizzicato-only instrument with a 34” scale. It is pizz only because the radius of the fingerboard is like that of most electric basses and is too shallow to allow bowing. The 34” scale was chosen so that those who already know how to play the bass guitar can readily adapt to this instrument. In fact all of the critical dimensions of the neck and fingerboard are the same as those found on the typical electric bass or acoustic bass guitar.

The instrument is modeled after violins constructed by 19^th century French physicist Felix Savart. Savart constructed his instruments as part of an attempt to understand the physics of the violin. His were quite simplified violins, featuring a boxy trapezoidal body, straight slots in place of f-holes, and plates which were quite shallow and arched on the outside surfaces only. These instruments also used a centrally positioned brace under the top. Take a look at British luthier Michael J King's website to see pictures of his modern rendition of Savart's instrument. Although Savart's violins were built for research purposes, it turned out they sounded very good in spite of their strange appearance.

The Canotto upright bass uses the shallow arched top and central brace of Savart's design, but substitutes gracefully curved ribs in place of the straight sides and c-holes in place of the simple slots. It has a flat back similar in construction to what is found on most double basses. The bass stands up on its own four feet, and is leaned back against the player when it is played. It can make use of standard extra long scale electric bass guitar strings or, with a different tailpiece, it can use ¼ size upright bass strings. Due to its simplified arching, bracing, and ribs the instrument is quite easy to build.

Tone and volume are very similar to what you would expect of a good quality upright strung with similar strings.

An article describing construction details for this instrument appeared in American Lutherie #80. Full sized plans for this instrument are available from the Guild of American Luthiers.

Want to hear what it sounds like?  Multi-instrumentalist Michael Bean recorded a song using the Canotto bass.  The tune is called Canoe Paddle Shuffle and a clip can be heard or downloaded here.  This tune will appear on an upcoming compilation CD entitled Global Resonations III which was made as a fund raising benefit for the medical fund of Josh Graves, considered to be the originator of the modern Dobro sound.  When available the album can be purchased from Costa Productions. Look here for a full length mp3 of this and other of Michael's songs.

Italian luthiers Francesco Arecco and Paolo Raiteri used the Canotto as the basis for some adorable and nice sounding instruments to be used to teach young kids to play bass. They call their instrument the Bassotto and some pictures of it can be found here.