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Contrabasso ad ancia – ALZIATI, Luigi

Oboe – ALBERT, Jacques

1.950,00 €

Category Other woodwind
Maker ALZIATI, Luigi  
Marks and inscriptions [coat of arms] / PREM m DITTA / LUIGI ALZIATI / MILANO / [star] / GIUSEPPE LI PERA / REGGIO C / [star]
Period 1900-present
Place of origin Milan, Italy
Description Nickel-plated brass reed contrabass by Luigi ALZIATI
Materials Brass, nickel
Dimensions Total length approx. 1055 mm
Weight 5450 g
Bell diameter 237 mm
Condition Sold as is for restoration
Price (€) €1,950.00
Ref 1194

Description

Contrabasso ad ancia – ALZIATI, Luigi

It goes by many names… contrabasso ad ancia, contrebasse à anche or simply reed contrabass. This strange item is not a brasswind, but a woodwind. It does look a bit like an ophicleide and was used in bands like a contrabassoon.

This instrument normally has seventeen keys. These include five for the left hand and five for the left thumb. Then there are five for the right hand and two for the right thumb. Unlike other woodwind instruments, with the contrabasso ad ancia, each note can be produced by opening just one tone hole. There are no alternative fingerings for specific notes and trill keys are not present and not needed.  Here’s a link to a page about the instrument with a fingering chart.

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This contrabasso ad ancia was made in Italy by Luigi ALZIATI some time around 1930. He established his musical instrument workshop in 1870 and achieved great success. Following the two World Wars, the company was sold off to the Bottalis. Yet, his descendants managed to restart the family tradition and the company exists again today, repairing instruments. 

It seems that it was made for a music shop and this is featured on the stamp. Prof. Giuseppe Li Pera was a musical instrument shop in Reggio, Calabria which also still exists today. 

It is made of nickel-plated brass. All parts are present and original to the instrument. However, it is sold as is for restoration. There is a large dent near the right-hand rest, as well as on the nearby tubing. Other minor dents can be found on the main tube. Please see photos. It needs a complete overhaul.

We hope that this unusual and special instrument can be brought back into playing condition with a new owner.

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