My new instrument

Andrew Grandahl · #1 04-26-2009, 08:49 PM

So I made the drive to NYC to have a look at this bass my professor James VanDemark recommended I look at. It was in the possession of Marvin Topolsky, a bassist in the Met, and was made by Rudolph Fiedler in Germany about 8 years ago. It plays incredibly well, reacts better than anything I've ever played, and sounds absolutely huge. Not to mention being beautiful. I'm in love with it, there's not a single wolf on the whole thing, it's lower range is loud and full, and the upper octaves are very bright and resonant. I couldn't possibly be more pleased.

Needs to be cleaned, I know.

Gary Lynch · #2 04-26-2009, 09:06 PM

Has it needed any repairs in the past?

LouisF · #3 04-26-2009, 11:24 PM

Andrew

Check the label. Rudolf Fiedler (Ceské Workshop) is a maker in Prague - not in Germany -(who is know for his copies of Baroque instruments). I'm sure it's a fine bass.

Louis

drurb · #4 04-27-2009, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisF

Andrew

Check the label. Rudolf Fiedler (Ceské Workshop) is a maker in Prague - not in Germany -(who is know for his copies of Baroque instruments). I'm sure it's a fine bass.

Louis

Thank you. I was wondering the same thing. In fact, I identified those as Czech basses in a PM to Andrew. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Andrew Grandahl · #5 04-27-2009, 08:33 AM

Wasn't sure, Marvin told me it was German. Thanks guys. I was told by a few people they thought it was made in Germany, I guess I'll have to ask again. It doesn't actually say on the label when it was made, just that it was by Rudolph in 2002.

Andrew Grandahl · #6 04-27-2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Lynch

Has it needed any repairs in the past?

Not that I'm aware of, it's in pretty pristine condition.

Eric Swanson · #7 04-27-2009, 08:35 AM

Congratulations! It looks lovely.

hdiddy · #8 04-27-2009, 05:47 PM

Dude, your tailpiece has a cock-ring.

JK. Looks like an awesome bass. Love the bussetto corners.

Andrew Grandahl · #9 04-28-2009, 09:36 AM

Thanks guys. I'll try to post some sound clips in the future, this bass just sounds really amazing.

COUNT ZACULA · #10 04-29-2009, 01:14 AM

Now that's a bass! Congratulations Andrew, I'm glad your happy. Your bass looks alot like mine.

Blind Rat · #11 04-29-2009, 04:19 AM

Nice !!

Pentabass · #12 04-29-2009, 08:26 AM

I find the tailpiece interesting.
It looks as though the afterlength on the lower strings is actually shorter than the higher strings... just about the opposite than many 'tuned' tailpieces - is there NOTHING standard on double basses?

Andrew Grandahl · #13 04-29-2009, 10:36 AM

Thank you very much guys.

Not sure why the tailpiece is the way it is, but I like it. I played this bass in a rehearsal for the first time last night and God is it loud.

mkrtu9 · #14 04-29-2009, 10:40 AM

good looking flame on the bass too. Looks very nice, congrats.

caillean · #15 05-02-2009, 02:40 AM

LOL - was gonna ask you - where's the sound clips!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to hearing it - looks a lovely bass - glad you are getting a nice sound.

Eric Rene Roy · #16 05-02-2009, 07:08 AM

in this picture:

Is that a rib crack?

Andrew Grandahl · #17 05-02-2009, 10:40 AM

Not sure, it's not cracked currently but it does look like it may have been split at some point.

Caillean I should have some recordings to put up soon enough.

Andrew Grandahl · #18 05-04-2009, 02:13 PM

Ok, so I just had it appraised. It was made by Fielder, a Czech maker, but he made it in Germany. Just to clear that up.

Mr. Mig · #19 05-04-2009, 02:21 PM

A beauty.

drurb · #20 05-04-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Grandahl

Not sure, it's not cracked currently but it does look like it may have been split at some point.

So, is there a repair visible when you look inside?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew Grandahl

Ok, so I just had it appraised. It was made by Fielder, a Czech maker, but he made it in Germany. Just to clear that up.

Hope you got a good deal!