Aluminum Bass

rockiezz · #1 02-01-2011, 03:19 PM

I have an aluminum stand up bass that I would like to get a little info on. Anybody have knowledge of these? Mine is a seamless all aluminum less the fretboard. No label that i can find inside. Here is a picture. This has be painted a nice red.

james condino · #2 02-02-2011, 11:44 AM

AlCoA, early 1930s. Use the search engine and you'll find plenty of threads on these basses.

Is there a serial number written in blue machinist ink on the inside back near the soundpost or a stamped number on the inside of the pegbox near the nut?

How much did you pay for it?

j.

TroyK · #3 02-02-2011, 11:59 AM

It has frets? Wow, they don't show. They must be black too. Cool.

BigOldHarry · #4 02-02-2011, 12:00 PM

Good lord - how much does that thing weigh???

iiipopes · #5 02-02-2011, 12:26 PM

Come on, no need to be snide about "fingerboard" or "fretboard." As far as weight, thin aluminum is not that heavy. I believe the instrument is no heavier than a conventional ply bass.

More here:
Aluminum Bass

Paul Warburton · #6 02-02-2011, 12:35 PM

Why not, on your statement about frets? These basses were patterened by Jerry Finch on my Jacobus Hornsteiner bass in about 1963 and sold to Roth. Sound-wise they suck.

Steve Swan · #7 02-02-2011, 12:42 PM

Uh-oh, here we go again. Some folks just can't help beating up on newbies.

Paul Warburton · #8 02-02-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Swan

Uh-oh, here we go again. Some folks just can't help beating up on newbies.

Ok, Steve....so, I'm beating up on newbies because I know these basses intimately? Man, you been messing with my stuff here on TB for years, including your PM's to me on a more personal level. Do you not admit this?

CannyBusDriver · #9 02-02-2011, 01:07 PM

need some popcorn for this drama

groooooove · #10 02-02-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

It has frets? Wow, they don't show. They must be black too. Cool.

he definitely did not say it has frets and just used the word "fretboard."

in that case, shame on you for always parking on the parkway.

more on topic- i wish i had a chance to noodle around on one of these aluminum basses. i heard they're loud but sound awfull.

rockiezz · #11 02-02-2011, 02:39 PM

Well as far as frets go, No, no frets, my bad.... there are no "fingers" on the "fingerboard" either unless your playing it at that time. The sound is a different sound, every different string type, gut, steel, nylon (as with wood) have their different voices, different from wood too. Not too heavy, takes a beating, (good drum sounds) totally worth a ride. This bass has been in the family for some time, when my mom passed I retrieved it from the person she lent it to so they could learn Tamburitza music. Please keep the conversation going, I'm learning. Thanks!

bass_snake · #12 02-02-2011, 02:43 PM

I'd like to own an aluminum double bass one day. How does it sound like?

thanks,

Fred

TroyK · #13 02-02-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groooooove

he definitely did not say it has frets and just used the word "fretboard."

Hey an honest mistake on my part. I simply misunderstood, that's all.

james condino · #14 02-02-2011, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

These basses were patterened by Jerry Finch on my Jacobus Hornsteiner bass in about 1963 and sold to Roth. Sound-wise they suck.

Paul:

I think this example is an AlCoA made aluminum bass from the 1930s that has been painted to look like one of the Roth fiberglass models. 'Cool tidbit about your involvement with Jerry...

j.

Turnaround · #15 02-02-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass_snake

I'd like to own an aluminum double bass one day. How does it sound like?

thanks,

Fred

I've been restoring one for over a year now. Here are a few things you should know.

James Condino is the best resource I have found concerning these basses. He's approachable and very helpful.

Some say they sound terrible. That's not quite how I would describe the sound of the one I am working on (a '30's Alcoa). Without applying my own subjective opinion on the sound I would say this - they sound big, even huge, not woody, and as though they have a built-in reverb unit. And that's where the problem begins for me.

The owner of this bass is looking for a real eye-grabber. That's no problem - once it's polished and the red anodized tailpiece and red-dyed bridge are in place it will look .... well - you get the idea. But he also wants a pickup installed. This thing is going to feed back like CRAZY! Somehow I will need to find a way to kill that tunnel echo sound.

As to the weight - it is about the same as a similarly-sized wooden job.

But this bass has a number of advantages over the conventional wooden one. It's not affected by dryness, wetness, heat or cold the way wooden ones are. It only needs one sound post - no need for ones to compensate for seasonal changes. It's darn near indestructible. Aside from the strings, bridge and fingerboard, I don't think there would be any siginificant damage from leaving it out in the rain. (Maybe a good idea to install a drain plug though if you intend to do this regularly)

I'd have one for sure. Wouldn't take it to a serious gig, but a FUN one - sure!

Jsn · #16 02-02-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iiipopes

Come on, no need to be snide about "fingerboard" or "fretboard."

I don't see it as being snide, just a firm reminder to BG players they aren't in Kansas anymore. There is a long, long tradition of the DBers on this board not letting "fretboard" slide. Trust me; I was on the receiving end of it once myself.

Interestingly, the correction brought a point home for me--I hadn't thought to question my terminology, because I thought of the DB as an acoustic version of the bass guitar. It took that point of language to make me realize that no, they're very different instruments, just tuned the same.

rockiezz · #17 02-02-2011, 05:01 PM

So I thought I would try to answer the "How does it sound?" question with a video. Now this is my first video so cut me some slack will ya? My daughter shot this so that is why I'm on my side, lol. Here ya go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbkBnBOmfjA

John_Madere · #18 02-02-2011, 05:51 PM

I've heard these aluminum basses sound like crap but are really fun to run through effects pedals. Lots of cool sounds can be made just hitting the instrument.

MR PC · #19 02-02-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jsn

I don't see it as being snide, just a firm reminder to BG players they aren't in Kansas anymore. There is a long, long tradition of the DBers on this board not letting "fretboard" slide.

Long, long tradition on this board?

Jeezus, someone makes a common mistake with the terminology of bass construction with his very first post, and the TB Sorority Flags start waving. Passwords are spoken, PM's start flying to the head gangsta', secret handshakes are made......and the newbie gets Tee Pee'd.

TroyK · #20 02-02-2011, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockiezz

So I thought I would try to answer the "How does it sound?" question with a video. Now this is my first video so cut me some slack will ya? My daughter shot this so that is why I'm on my side, lol. Here ya go!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbkBnBOmfjA

Thanks for sharing that! I hope to get a chance to play one of these some day. Always been a curiosity of mine, but have never seen one outside of this forum.