left handed double bass

momotrucker · #1 03-27-2007, 04:25 PM

can a right handed bass be converted by reversing the bridge and nut or is the fingerboard different as well?

theshadow2001 · #2 03-27-2007, 05:21 PM

Theres all of the above plus a sound post insdie that needs to be moved/adjusted and a bass bar that needs to be put on to the other side as well. Doing the bassbar means popping off the top of the bass which can be a very expensive procedure. Plus there's no gurantees the bass will sound the same after this procedure.

Maybe on some laminates it might not make much of a difference if you don't switch the bass bar and sound post and just do the nut bridge fingerboard. Although I could be wrong

I must of spent a year casually researching on double basses and trying to get a left handed one more so in the past 4 or 5 months. Getting a left handed bass isn't easy. (Although it might be a bit easier ofr you guys accross the pond)

bassbo · #3 03-31-2007, 08:46 AM

I'm sure you could special order a new one for $$$$

theshadow2001 · #4 03-31-2007, 09:34 AM

Thats what I did. There are places that could get you a new left handed bass. I bought an eastman of sorts so there's quality to be had as well. Start ringing sellers and e mailing businesses on the internet. Even if they have nothing for you they might know someone who has. Stay clear of e bay.

Silversorcerer · #5 04-01-2007, 08:16 AM

The conversion is expensive and yes, the finger board could be a casualty as well if it has the Romberg bevel. The innards having to be switched makes it a situation where it is probably just better to get an already left handed bass or learn to play like a righty. You'll find plenty of debate over the benefits and difficulties of those two options. Resale is one. Age and previous string experience is another. There is an extended thread a few months ago if you search. A long time member here, Timometzmaker, would be worth consulting.

Engelhardt will make a lefty for you for no extra charge (I don't think) or you can get a sweet carved bass lefty from Gollihur Music for the same $$ as the right handed one (see the ad usually to the left of this text). I have one of their righties (played it at a wedding yesterday) and I think that one is a good choice. Good price too. With those options the penalty for being left handed is greatly reduced.

TimoMetzemakers · #6 04-01-2007, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

A long time member here, Timometzmaker, would be worth consulting.

Hey, you got my name almost right!

Yup, I've been playing a lefty Gollihur bass for five years. It's a decent bass with upsides and downsides. In a nutshell, it is very sturdy and well built, but also very heavy (I've got a 2002 model; it would seem that there have been some improvements in this area since). It has a bright sound, and it's still a bit stiff. With Spirocores, it growls and sustains like there's no tomorrow. If you're into that type of sound it might be just the ticket.

But, to be honest, I feel that I've outgrown it now, so I currently have a hybrid NS Cleveland on order from Wil and Arnold.

Silversorcerer · #7 04-02-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimoMetzemakers

Hey, you got my name almost right!

Yup, I've been playing a lefty Gollihur bass for five years. It's a decent bass with upsides and downsides. In a nutshell, it is very sturdy and well built, but also very heavy (I've got a 2002 model; it would seem that there have been some improvements in this area since). It has a bright sound, and it's still a bit stiff. With Spirocores, it growls and sustains like there's no tomorrow. If you're into that type of sound it might be just the ticket.

But, to be honest, I feel that I've outgrown it now, so I currently have a hybrid NS Cleveland on order from Wil and Arnold.

Sorry, I would have searched for you and spelled it right, but I was being lazy, T. My bass is still heavy (2005 model) but it seems to have loosened up a good bit in just 2 years. But I've seen a bunch of heavy carved basses since I got mine. Usually they are German. The Wilfers I've seen are pretty beefy. I get a lot of growl and sustain with Helicore Orchestral strings and sometimes I'd like something different, but it is a good sound if you work with what it likes to do. I like it best with the bow.

I know the shipping is a pain probably, but since you're getting the NS, you could sell momo your old bass. BTW, your tracks on my space are really good. Nice work. Is that the Bulgarian DB on those tracks? The bass lines are really sweet!

TimoMetzemakers · #8 04-02-2007, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

Sorry, I would have searched for you and spelled it right, but I was being lazy, T.

Hehe, no sweat, as a Dutchman living in France, I get that all the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silversorcerer

I know the shipping is a pain probably, but since you're getting the NS, you could sell momo your old bass. BTW, your tracks on my space are really good. Nice work. Is that the Bulgarian DB on those tracks? The bass lines are really sweet!

According to my luthier, the resale value of my bass is in the $1000-$1200 range, so I'm just going to keep it as a backup. You can never have enough basses, anyway! I'll probably string it up with Spiros or Dominants in order to have two very different basses.

Thanks for the compliments! Yes, it's the Kremona, with Garbos on tracks 1 & 2, Animas on the big band track, and Obligatos with a Stark E on the chick singer track.

Timo