Best new double Bass maker.....?

guadanini · #1 12-06-2005, 08:08 AM

Which are the best Double Basses that contemporary Makers are Building?

I like Poellman, T.Martin, Krachtemacher... Which you prefer...?

KSB - Ken Smith · #2 12-06-2005, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guadanini

Which are the best Double Basses that contemporary Makers are Building?

I like Poellman, T.Martin, Krachtemacher... Which you prefer...?

First, your Profile doesn't tell us much about you. You are a 'Male' and you can teach the Double Bass! So, how many people have signed up with you from your Profile so far? Booked up yet?.. lol.. Just kidding.

Looks like you are in Europe somewhere from your choices. There are some great builders here in USA. I have compared a Thomas Martin to an Arnold Schnitzer recently and liked Arnolds Bass better. Price was similar. I have not played a Pollmann yet that had nearly as good a tone but there were older one and not from the Krahmer Bros, just the Dad.

Ben Rose · #3 12-06-2005, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

I have compared a Thomas Martin to an Arnold Schnitzer recently and liked Arnolds Bass better. Price was similar.

Wow. That really makes me want to check out one of Arnold's basses. I remember Thomas Martin's bass as being head and shoulders above the other basses I played at Hammond Ashley a few years ago.

KSB - Ken Smith · #4 12-06-2005, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Rose

Wow. That really makes me want to check out one of Arnold's basses. I remember Thomas Martin's bass as being head and shoulders above the other basses I played at Hammond Ashley a few years ago.

Yes, I played Arnolds Montagnana 3/4 model and I suprised how mature it sounded. Arnold also has a Tom Martin Bass for sale and that's the only one of Tom's I played. I don't know the exact model but it is very nice as well.

jmpiwonka · #5 12-06-2005, 01:35 PM

I have heard good things about the basses made by KCstrings.

Ed Fuqua · #6 12-06-2005, 01:38 PM

And Nick and Jeff; there seems to be a LOT of really great makers around.

I think that "best" starts to be something of a misnomer; once you reach a certain level there are just things that speak to you in one instrument over another. It's not an objective goalpost.

Tbeers · #7 12-06-2005, 01:38 PM

Who's that guy in Canada who made the elephant-head scroll bass? His work looks very impressive.

Arnold Schnitzer's instruments are worth their volume in gold (they don't really weigh that much, so I think volume is better).

I played a 5-string Pollmann that belonged at the time to Volkan Orhon and I wasn't amazed.

Ed Fuqua · #8 12-06-2005, 01:42 PM

Is that the guy that did Gary Karr's bass with the scroll that's a bust of Gary? And the adjustable neck?

JP seems to like his Pollman, but I've played about 4 different ones and they all sound kinda thin and nasally.

Ben Rose · #9 12-06-2005, 01:43 PM

da Bears:The elephant bass was built by Mario Lamarre. Very kind fellow. Check out the 2003 dragon bass.

The Pollman Alexandria model makes me sweat. I haven't heard it, but that picture in DoubleBassist taunts me.

Still, I need to spend less time pining over gear and more time in the shed. At this point, I can still make the most wonderful bass sound terrible.

ImAGoodDuck · #10 12-06-2005, 01:53 PM

The guy that made Karr's bass on his web page is Brock Radelet. I read an interview with Gary talking about that bass and he sayed that when he plays concerts with it many of the listeners are fooled by its sound into believing it's his Amanti. Never played or even hear one for that matter but many people love them and the guy has over a 2 year waiting list from what I hear.

Ed Fuqua · #11 12-06-2005, 01:57 PM

Naw, different bass. This guy's name is Ham Something...

Jeff Bollbach · #12 12-06-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Naw, different bass. This guy's name is Ham Something...

Ham Bone............actually Jim Hamm
Apparently Karr has a penchant for new makers.

Ed Fuqua · #13 12-06-2005, 02:16 PM

mmmm, ham...

Jeff Bollbach · #14 12-06-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

And Nick and Jeff; there seems to be a LOT of really great makers around.

I think that "best" starts to be something of a misnomer; once you reach a certain level there are just things that speak to you in one instrument over another. It's not an objective goalpost.

C'mon Ed, I think Jimi is clearly better than Bird and in fact you shouldn't even listen to Bird's music.

Ed Fuqua · #15 12-06-2005, 02:25 PM

I can't really hear it, does that count?

Ben Rose · #16 12-06-2005, 03:12 PM

That Bird guy sounds like he's just making stuff up as he goes along.

I got to play a LowNote's Hachez bass on a set break at the Money Tree once. Sigh.

TeHarr · #17 12-06-2005, 03:53 PM

All the Pollman's I've tried have been much too expensive for their sound and feel.

Jeff Bollbach · #18 12-06-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvinmarks

That's cause Pollman's garbage. You're paying 25,000 dollars for a corse, toneless sound.

Now now, you're showing your age.

KSB - Ken Smith · #19 12-06-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calvinmarks

That's cause Pollman's garbage. You're paying 25,000 dollars for a corse, toneless sound.

I don't agree with that at all. I used a Pollmann 1977 5-string last year in a few concerts and it was not course or toneless at all. It had a huge sound actually. The only thing was it was not the type of sound I was looking for. I have heard great things about the new Basses they are making now. It just has to be for you, that's all..

Tbeers · #20 12-06-2005, 06:10 PM

My impression of the Pollmann 5-string was that it just did not put out very much sound. Especially the E string was a big disappointment.

But this is coming from a person who won't even put an extension on his bass. I think adding range to a DB, regardless of how you do it, takes a lot of oomph out of the sound. Especially noticeable when playing pizz. I've never felt comfy walking a line on an instrument that had an extension. The bone-rattling growl on the bottom is missing.