Gary Karr Bass

paperbag1213 · #1 02-16-2010, 09:44 PM

What do you guys think about it, I'm
considering saving up to buy one but
I want to know a few preliminary things
first.
1.) is it a good jazz bass?
2.) is it a good orchestra bass?
3.) what is the attack and decay like
4.) what is the overall tone

basically I'd like to know anything about
this bass.
Thanks
-Kyle

Violen · #2 10-10-2010, 03:06 AM

Anyone? I want to know too!

Sam Sherry · #3 10-10-2010, 08:50 AM

There's really no such thing as "a good jazz bass" or "a good orchestra bass." Yes, many jazz guys dig small upper bouts so they can play thumb position lots, but you've heard plenty of timeless jazz come from violin-shaped basses. Yes, many orchestra players gravitate toward large, round-back instruments but there are exceptions on every stage of note.

Basses can be set up for bowing -- strings that speak well with the bow; bridge and FB with more curve for the bow. Basses can be set up for pizz -- bright, long-decay sets like Spiros, or dark, old-school gut-sounding strings, and generally flatter bridges and boards. But the critical component is THE OPERATOR. If I hold Gary Karr's bass and bow in my hand it's a stone guaranty that what comes out will not sound like Gary Karr.

The Upton Karr Model bass has a medium-sized body with a flat back. It has a "fast" voice and, to my taste, a clear, even sound. As a kid I heard Gary Karr play fairly often. Gary digs medium-sized flat-back basses so that sound became "home plate" for me.

The Karr Model is not intended to have "thundering" or "thud-like" bottom. "Thundering" and "thud-like" are two adjectives which describe the same physical phenomenon from different subjective viewpoints. How YOU feel about YOUR basses is something no-one here can answer.

Hope this helps, if perhaps more broadly than you anticipated. Good luck with your search.

LouisF · #4 10-11-2010, 04:28 PM

Kyle,

I have the first "deluxe hybrid" model, which, I have to say, has a pretty thunderous low end - and as Sam has described above - is clear, strong and a generally, all around satisfying bass. Mine is set up for orchestra playing, and, as I see you're in LA, I'd be happy to have you come by and try it.

You can email or pm me if interested

Louis

Violen · #5 10-12-2010, 11:30 AM

Hey! I wont be living in LA again for some time, but i was wondering, could you do a youtube video of the bass? Hit some angles, really show the difference in the depth of the ribs, then mebby play it for us?

I would appreciate it. Do you have an extension on it?

LouisF · #6 10-12-2010, 05:37 PM

Eric's already done it:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG1KtGZOxSY)

No extension -- yet!
Louis

Thumb Position · #7 07-24-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

There's really no such thing as "a good jazz bass" or "a good orchestra bass." Yes, many jazz guys dig small upper bouts so they can play thumb position lots, but you've heard plenty of timeless jazz come from violin-shaped basses. Yes, many orchestra players gravitate toward large, round-back instruments but there are exceptions on every stage of note.

Basses can be set up for bowing -- strings that speak well with the bow; bridge and FB with more curve for the bow. Basses can be set up for pizz -- bright, long-decay sets like Spiros, or dark, old-school gut-sounding strings, and generally flatter bridges and boards. But the critical component is THE OPERATOR. If I hold Gary Karr's bass and bow in my hand it's a stone guaranty that what comes out will not sound like Gary Karr.

The Upton Karr Model bass has a medium-sized body with a flat back. It has a "fast" voice and, to my taste, a clear, even sound. As a kid I heard Gary Karr play fairly often. Gary digs medium-sized flat-back basses so that sound became "home plate" for me.

The Karr Model is not intended to have "thundering" or "thud-like" bottom. "Thundering" and "thud-like" are two adjectives which describe the same physical phenomenon from different subjective viewpoints. How YOU feel about YOUR basses is something no-one here can answer.

Hope this helps, if perhaps more broadly than you anticipated. Good luck with your search.

I do appreciate your thoughtfull response, but I believe we were looking for feedback from someone who has played the "Gary Karr" model and simply give their opinon of the instrument.

I am considering purchasing this bass and since I live in Canada and NO easy access to trying the bass at hand. Getting some honest feedback on the experience would prove helpful. Even though we all have a different feel for bass's we do have quantifyable similarities that could help others make a desicion.

I would love to hear someone actually playing some bow (German Bow) on this model so I can hear the TONE quality. A youtube video or whatever..!

LouisF · #8 07-24-2011, 12:36 PM

When you say "this model" do you mean hybrid, carved, ply etc - the levels will make a big difference.

I'm using my "deluxe hybrid" (the one in the Upton video) this coming Saturday for a concert at Disney Hall, while my Tyrolean bass is being restored. It nearly holds its own as a section instrument - in a community orchestra - but I don't think that was what it was designed for.

For me the trade off is that the bass is VERY easy to get around, and light (relatively) to lug around.

Louis

Thumb Position · #9 07-25-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisF

When you say "this model" do you mean hybrid, carved, ply etc - the levels will make a big difference.

I'm using my "deluxe hybrid" (the one in the Upton video) this coming Saturday for a concert at Disney Hall, while my Tyrolean bass is being restored. It nearly holds its own as a section instrument - in a community orchestra - but I don't think that was what it was designed for.

For me the trade off is that the bass is VERY easy to get around, and light (relatively) to lug around.

Louis

Thanks appreciate the feedback - I was talking about the "hybrid" and I know they are working on an updated version as we speak at Upton.

LouisF · #10 07-25-2011, 10:48 AM

I think Gary Upton went out to see Jim Hamm, who makes basses for Gary Karr to get feedback and input on the design. I'd say it's worth the wait for them to incorporate the changes.

Best,

Louis

TylerEmond · #11 07-25-2011, 12:35 PM

Hey 'Thumb Position'

Not sure what part of Canada you live in, but I'm in Toronto (with a Gary Karr bass) for the next 6 weeks. After that I'm in Vancouver. If you're in either of those cities let me know, and you'd be more than welcome to try the bass.

TylerEmond · #12 07-25-2011, 12:50 PM

. . . and for those of you who don't live near me . . .

I really like this bass (the standard hybrid model). I use it for jazz, singer/songwriter pop, bluegrass/country, chamber music. I have not played it in an orchestral section, but I play arco half the time in smaller settings. In that regard, it's quite multi-purpose in terms of blending and cutting.

Thumb Position · #13 07-27-2011, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerEmond

Hey 'Thumb Position'

Not sure what part of Canada you live in, but I'm in Toronto (with a Gary Karr bass) for the next 6 weeks. After that I'm in Vancouver. If you're in either of those cities let me know, and you'd be more than welcome to try the bass.

In Toronto at the moment. Not sure when we could meet but I'm sure we could work something out. Sometime this week would work best, lets see what happens.

spoonido · #14 07-27-2011, 10:27 PM

I played the bass Louis owns. How did I like it? Well, right afterward I went home, broke open the piggy bank, and now have one currently being built. That's how much I liked it!

LouisF · #15 07-28-2011, 12:14 AM

Thanks. I'm glad you liked the bass... so do I!

Louis

Thumb Position · #16 07-28-2011, 10:43 AM

You all are giving me the Karr itch !! Not sure which one would be better for Orchestral work, the Karr or the "wan-bernadel" found at String Emporium. Decision, decisions!!!

LouisF · #17 07-28-2011, 01:47 PM

They're both fine basses and both are very reputable dealers. Good luck.

Louis

Marial · #18 07-28-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerEmond

. . . and for those of you who don't live near me . . .

I really like this bass (the standard hybrid model). I use it for jazz, singer/songwriter pop, bluegrass/country, chamber music. I have not played it in an orchestral section, but I play arco half the time in smaller settings. In that regard, it's quite multi-purpose in terms of blending and cutting.

Is it loud? How would you rate the construction, is it tough feeling or delicate? Warm tone? Sweet tone?

Thanks!