Cuban Basses

Bass for Beef · #1 06-05-2006, 01:26 PM

I tested out a bass yesterday and the only label inside is a repair tag from Cuba in 1960, any possibility you guys think it was made there?

basstef · #2 06-06-2006, 02:17 AM

I've been to L'Havana last december to play at the Jazz Plaza Fest. I decided not to bring my bass and what I've found there was mostly russian laminated plywood or hybrid basses, all with a terrible setup. The best bass I've seen was a Kay. Basses could sound ok but the setup was really bad in every instrument, even regarding the two ones owned by the main jazz club in town "La Zorra y el Cuervo". I don't think the bass you've seen was made in Cuba, maybe just had some amateurish repairs there and then the label. People over there are really struggling for everything, I don't think they have any kind of lutherie tradition. Nevertheless they have the gift of music! They have great dignity and you can hear some great sounds just out of the door of a restaurant.

mchildree · #3 06-06-2006, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basstef

...Nevertheless they have the gift of music! They have great dignity and you can hear some great sounds just out of the door of a restaurant.

Another example of people overcoming oppression by producing great music, just like the blues and gospel of our slavery-era. A wonderful product of a sad situation.

bongomania · #4 06-06-2006, 12:43 PM

Strings are especially an issue for them. Nearly all local metal is exported (to Canada) and they can't afford to import bass strings. So every bass I saw had strings that were ancient and dead. Good enough for a thumpy percussive sound, which is "expected" in much Latin music anyway, but obviously disappointing to anyone wanting to hear/play melodic tones. If you go, bring strings!

Oh, and to the OP: I would bet just about anything that the bass was brought to the island (and abandoned/donated) by an international touring band, as that is how the majority of post-revolution instruments got there.

**Francois Blais** · #5 06-06-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Strings are especially an issue for them. Nearly all local metal is exported (to Canada) and they can't afford to import bass strings.[...]

You meant Cuba I suppose?

bongomania · #6 06-06-2006, 04:22 PM

Er, yes... the previous posts were about Cuban basses. To clarify: Cuba needs strings! Both electric and upright.