Cremona School Double Bass by István Kónya, Hungary anno 1983

At the age of 44 Kónya received a scholarship to study at the ‘International School of Violin Making’ in Cremona. In his diploma year of 1967-1968 he won the gold medal and first prize for a cello (now in the Cremona Museum) in the prestigious ‘Triennale International Competition’. In August 1994, the Strad magazine published an article on the Kónya family in which it said that he produced over 600 instruments. When we look at this beautiful instrument it is easy to see the strong ‘Cremona School’ influence and exactly why Konya won such high acclaim for his work, for the model is strongly Strad influenced and the workmanship is of the neatest and most outstanding order achievable. In terms of provenance the instrument bears the makers ink inscription on the inside upper rib, bass side - KÓNYA I. TATA 1983. It also bears a distinctive super-large format (approximately 16cm x 10cm) label showing the outline of a violin and printed “Kónya Istvan - Ungheria, Tata, Baji Ut 11, Annon 1983”. Kónia died on 15th June 1999 at the very respectable age of 80 leaving his two violin making sons and violin making grandson to continue in his tradition.

If you are searching for a particularly fine orchestral or solo instrument you should definitely consider this instrument because the model and proportions (string length of 105cm) are simply divine. Most important of all is the sound which is powerful, clear and articulate.

To summarise, this is a beautifully made instrument from a well-recognised maker whose instruments are prized by players all over the world. Besides being a wonderful instrument to play, we think that this perfectly made instrument will prove to be an excellent investment.

Stats:

LOB (length of back) - 113cm
Width across upper bouts - 51cm
Width across middle bouts - 37.2cm
Width across lower bouts - 66cm
String length - 105cm

Reference number #2696