Kolatein LoFaro Travel Bass

LouisF · #1 02-21-2007, 04:06 PM

Has anyone played one of these?

Marcus Johnson · #2 02-21-2007, 04:26 PM

The Kolatein LoFaro bass? I doubt it.

LouisF · #3 02-21-2007, 04:43 PM

I tried to edit the subject line, but couldn't figure out how... duh...

Louis

Marcus Johnson · #4 02-21-2007, 04:56 PM

There's a little vidclip of Charnett Moffett and Rufus Reid playing them at the Kolstein website.

LouisF · #5 02-21-2007, 07:01 PM

Thanks!

Basicbassist · #6 02-23-2007, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisF

Has anyone played one of these?

I played one in his shop recently through the new Acoustic Image combo amp and liked the feel and sound very much. It has a full dimension neck and fingerboard with, I believe, a 39" mensur. Rib width is 5". The amplified sound was very impressive - as good as some very good 3/4 basses that I've played. The bottom end was full and resonant with a nice growl. Mid and upper ranges were sweet and solid. It was set up with a Planet (from Denmark) single-wafer transducer pick-up. (The axe definitely has to be amplified). I was also impressed by the fact that Kolstein designed a cargo case for it that meets air-line requirements for accepting it into cargo - no more hassles getting a wood bass to a distant location. The bass goes for about $5k.

LouisF · #7 02-23-2007, 03:37 PM

Thanks. Did the short (391/2) string length bother you? (I play on a 40" 5/8th) - and when you say it had to definately be amped, would you say that would be an issue for practice at home etc?

Louis

Basicbassist · #8 02-26-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisF

Thanks. Did the short (391/2) string length bother you? (I play on a 40" 5/8th) - and when you say it had to definately be amped, would you say that would be an issue for practice at home etc?

Louis

The minimally shorter mensur was very easy to acclimate to - running scales for under two minutes was sufficient time and effort to make me feel that I could get spoiled by its ease of play very quickly. And, no, you wouldn't need an amp for woodshedding as its full range is clearly audible. Just don't forget to take your amp to the gig. You can check it out here www.kolstein.com if you haven't already.

JoeyNaeger · #9 02-26-2007, 06:12 PM

My bass teacher has one and has been quite happy with it. Acoustically it has a fairly big sound, but it can't match a regular double bass. Amplififed, it sounds fine. It's easy to play the scale length is easy to adjust too.

brandonwong · #10 02-26-2007, 09:22 PM

I'll be interested to know how it compares to the Eminence acoustically.
And also how well it bows.

Chrix · #11 02-26-2007, 11:19 PM

After seeing this post and wondering what this bass was about as well, I watched the video of Rufus and Charnet and realized that I had an opportunity to play on one of these at IAJE last year. Now I just wish I remembered more about it, but I remember it played extremely well and sounded great through the AI amp. Sorry if that's not much help.

LouisF · #12 02-27-2007, 02:38 AM

Thanks, all. Very helpful.

Louis

Basicbassist · #13 02-28-2007, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwong

I'll be interested to know how it compares to the Eminence acoustically.
And also how well it bows.

I haven't tried the Eminence so I can't offer any comparisons, but I can attest to the fact that the Kolstein-LaFarro travel bass is perfectly suited to bowing. Keep in mind that its mensur is only an inch shorter than many standard length necks and it has a full dimensional fingerboard and adjustable bridge. And you can't beat the Kolstein "set-up", IMHO. So, yes, bow away!

Reuben · #14 03-16-2007, 08:07 AM

I played one yesterday at the shop. It's a much nicer instrument than the Eminence. To me it's a great improvement over the Eminence, but the Gage Czech-Ease is more useful since I can play acoustic gigs with it. The Kolstein gives out an impressive and complex tone, but it just isn't loud enough to do more than have a nice time practicing on without an amp.

Basicbassist · #15 03-19-2007, 12:39 PM

That impressive tone amplifies beautifully, which is a characteristic that I welcome since I always gig with an amp (no purist, I). Remember, this axe was designed to defy the laws of physics - to put the voice of a good bass in a package small enough to meet the reduced cargo size-limitations that the airlines have imposed. It succeeds on both counts.

peterpalmieri · #16 03-22-2007, 09:43 PM

I've also had the opportunity to play this instrument and it is truely an acoustic instrument and a travel bass not an EUB. I owned an NS upright and played an Eminence and they don't even come close. IMO this is the real deal for the traveling bassist.

This bows as good as could imagine for it's size and while it's not loud enough for anything bigger then a coffee shop, it's a DB, again not to be confused with an EUB although I think it will steal market share.

I was considering purchasing one myself and made the decision to go to a full size instrument instead, got rid of my NS but if I was to be a traveling DB player this would be it hands down....Did I mention with the planet pickup it sounds killer, I can't get my DB to sound that good yet!

To clarify this is my opinion, I live close to Barries shop and admire his work...

Pete

Basicbassist · #17 04-18-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basicbassist

I played one in his shop recently through the new Acoustic Image combo amp and liked the feel and sound very much. It has a full dimension neck and fingerboard with, I believe, a 39" mensur. Rib width is 5". The amplified sound was very impressive - as good as some very good 3/4 basses that I've played. The bottom end was full and resonant with a nice growl. Mid and upper ranges were sweet and solid. It was set up with a Planet (from Denmark) single-wafer transducer pick-up. (The axe definitely has to be amplified). I was also impressed by the fact that Kolstein designed a cargo case for it that meets air-line requirements for accepting it into cargo - no more hassles getting a wood bass to a distant location. The bass goes for about $5k.

This may seem schizoid - I am responding to a previous post of mine. Attribute it to euphoria. I put my money where my mouth is and acquired the Busetto Travel Bass (BTB) from Kolstein's shop yesterday. Complete with soft case, cargo trunk, Planet pick-up and bow quiver. Since last posting, I've played a number of venues in NY and NJ where 80% of the bandstand was co-opted by a grand piano (I'm not complaining). The remaining 20% was for the drummer and me. Standing behind the pianist's left shoulder, if I rotated the bass just inches to the left or right I'd impact the piano bench with the deck of the bass. If I shifted my feet at all, the bass would contact a wall to my left or a ride cymbal to my right. All the while I was thinking that that BTB with it's lean dimensions would really be an advantage in these situations. So, yesterday, I got serious about it, visited the shop and tried out a few. My earlier impressions were borne out - that unamplified, while less forceful than full-dimension basses, they sound full , sweet and natural and that amplified they sound as good as the best amplified 3/4 basses that I've played or heard.

damonsmith · #18 04-18-2007, 01:13 PM

I am sure it sounds great. It looks like a great instrument. I am still unconvinced that these partial basses need to cost so much more than an entry level carved bass. When the Chinese makers wake up to the these needs they are going to corner the market.
IMO, we need to get not only the size and weight under what the airlines will take, but the price under what they will cover.

I just got a new Ergo 7 string and it sounds like just like amplified double bass. It is even more convenient.

If I bump up to that range, I'd want something that can be played acoustic.

Basicbassist · #19 04-18-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damonsmith

I am sure it sounds great. It looks liek a great instrument. I am still unconvinced that these partial basses need to cost more than an entry level carved bass. When the Chinese makers wake up to the these needs they are going to corner the market.
IMO, we need to get not only the size and weight under what the airlines will take, but the price under what they will cover.

I just got a new Ergo 7 string and it sounds like just like amplified double bass. It is even more convenient.

If I bump up to that range, I'd want something that can be played acoustic.

You may be absolutely right about the Chinese factor, Damon. But if the Eminence is their best attempt to date, I could be retired before they produce anything satifactory to my sensibilities! You younger guys have time on your side and, no doubt, will enjoy the benefit of the free marketplace over the longer term. For me, I decided to go for the best sound I could find now. BTW, your myspace web site is very impressive. Nice work!

damonsmith · #20 04-18-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basicbassist

You may be absolutely right about the Chinese factor, Damon. But if the Eminence is their best attempt to date, I could be retired before they produce anything satifactory to my sensibilities! You younger guys have time on your side and, no doubt, will enjoy the benefit of the free marketplace over the longer term. For me, I decided to go for the best sound I could find now. BTW, your myspace web site is very impressive. Nice work!

Thanks, and I hear you - if had a few grand to spare I'd have either the Kolstien, the Czech ease, Allbasse or the Guy/Dawson for sure.
What I really want is the Czech-ease but with a carved top for under $2000.
I think it may happen one day.