New basses: Why no interesting models?

[arnoldschnitzer]

Originally Posted by winston

Can you please tell us a bit about what this (fewer/no corners) does for the sound and durability of an instrument? I remember an interview with Joel Quarrington in Bass Player a few years back where he said his cornerless bass (which looked kind of like a big upright guitar) was louder/more resonant.

Some makers believe corners "trap" sound as they are very stiff areas, and sometimes are square-ish on the inside. Every part of a string instrument vibrates, so some feel that a rib assembly without corners vibrates with less interruption. Ever seen a guitar with corners? Actually, they exist, for example the Quatro, found in Puerto Rico. Not the most resonant instrument. As far as durability, long ribs without reinforcements are prone to long cracks, when inevitable damage occurs. My solution is to install small cross-grain spruce strips where the lower corners would normally be. Also, like many other makers, I use several linen strips across the ribs to act as crack-stoppers.

[Damon Rondeau]

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

That said, I have to admit that I personally find Arnold's Ergo bass more unusual and beautiful than anything I've ever seen coming out of the Guiseppe Linguini school.

Time keeps moving forward and tastes evolve. I too find many of the new ideas and constructions very beautiful. There's something about masterful craftsmanship -- full of knowledge, intelligence, and developed taste -- that's a winning combo. It almost can't go wrong, no matter the era. Especially if some of the new ideas are about being kinder to musicians' bodies and about producing better sound.

The old fiddles, large and small, are incredibly beautiful. The aesthetics, though, are based on Greek mathematical ideas and Renaissance taste. Is it really the case that those old principles are perfect and will always serve best, no matter the era? That seems like a crazy idea to me...

It's too bad that the money has gotten so big that it encourages an inhibiting conservatism. "Sure go ahead and buy/build that thing. Who's gonna buy it? What's the resale gonna be?"