Question about A Double Bass

BrainCrasher · #1 04-24-2011, 06:49 AM

Hello all, I'm new here, and new to Double Basses too. My grandfather told that there is a Double Bass in his house laying on a cupboard for almost 30 years and he told me that just now. *shocked*

I'm a guitar player and a bass guitar player. But never ever tried something like this.
I'll post some pictures soon, and I have a few questions.. it would be great if someone could answer me....

- I don't know anything about Double Basses, but I think they have to have some similarities with bass guitars. The first strange think about this Double Bass is that it has it's 4 strings grouped in pairs of 2. Two of them close to each other.. - free space (maybe for 2 more strings) and then the other two strings grouped. I've seen 12 string guitars made like this, but that's a different story there...so because of this I don't have a clue if this really is a Double Bass..

- If it is.. my other question is, can you help me finding it's model/brand/name

- If it's not, what is it?

And by the way, my grandfather said that it is a plucking one, not a bowing one..

Thank you in advance.

***Posting pictures soon***

Ben Mitchell · #2 04-24-2011, 07:03 AM

Wow, I don't think I've ever heard of the BSO you describe. It might be a period style instrument, but I don't have any idea about period instruments. If it is indeed bass shaped, and is a good quality, you could always have it modded back into a modern upright. Also, the brand/maker usually places a sticker visible through the f holes on the instruments inner back.

Keep me posted,
Ben

BrainCrasher · #3 04-24-2011, 07:43 AM

ImageShack Album - 11 images

Pictures

Skabasskid · #4 04-24-2011, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrainCrasher

ImageShack Album - 11 images

Pictures

I forwarded this to my luthier, who's a bit of an old instrument geek. Hopefully she can help!

BrainCrasher · #5 04-24-2011, 07:49 AM

Thanks...

I just noticed that the fretboard is so different then any other I've seen on the net today (and I've searched a lot

)

The instrument itself is about 1.90 meters tall, ~74 inches

BassmanSBK · #6 04-24-2011, 07:52 AM

Are those frets on the fingerboard-I mean fretboard-I mean neck?

Skabasskid · #7 04-24-2011, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrainCrasher

Thanks...

I just noticed that the fretboard is so different then any other I've seen on the net today (and I've searched a lot

)

The instrument itself is about 1.90 meters tall, ~74 inches

Different in the sense that it has frets, actually. XD

BrainCrasher · #8 04-24-2011, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skabasskid

Different in the sense that it has frets, actually. XD

Well, yes. LOL

BrainCrasher · #9 04-24-2011, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanSBK

Are those frets on the fingerboard-I mean fretboard-I mean neck?

Thats right..

Ben Mitchell · #10 04-24-2011, 08:00 AM

That is definately very unique.

Skabasskid · #11 04-24-2011, 08:02 AM

Is there a label inside?

BrainCrasher · #12 04-24-2011, 08:06 AM

So... let me know if anyone has a clue what is this.. and does it has a name

I've looked everything on it, and didn't find any serial number/model or something like that..

it has a (sorry for my expression) the thing underneath it for standing/avoiding scratces... a stand? or whatever it's name is.. don't know an English word for it sorry

Skabasskid · #13 04-24-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrainCrasher

it has a (sorry for my expression) the thing underneath it for standing/avoiding scratces... a stand? or whatever it's name is.. don't know an English word for it sorry

It's an end pin that I think you're referring to

BrainCrasher · #14 04-24-2011, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skabasskid

Is there a label inside?

What you mean by "inside".. can't see anything through the holes

BrainCrasher · #15 04-24-2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skabasskid

It's an end pin that I think you're referring to

yes, thanks.

Skabasskid · #16 04-24-2011, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrainCrasher

yes, thanks.

I wanna know what this thing is! It's making my geek meter go off the charts.

BrainCrasher · #17 04-24-2011, 08:25 AM

It sounds like a bass, thats a definite. It resonates a lot.. like playing on a electric bass/ with 30-50 w amp on low volume

But the two strings near the lower (fatter) ones are like strings from a guitar and that ruins the picture for it.. MAYBE (i don't know) they aren't the right strings for it..

drurb · #18 04-24-2011, 08:28 AM

I suspect this was someone's at-home DIY attempt at making a double bass. Does it even have a bass bar or sound post?

Skabasskid · #19 04-24-2011, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrainCrasher

It sounds like a bass, thats a definite. It resonates a lot.. like playing on a electric bass/ with 30-50 w amp on low volume

But the two strings near the lower (fatter) ones are like strings from a guitar and that ruins the picture for it.. MAYBE (i don't know) they aren't the right strings for it..

I'm guessing wrong strings...but idk. What's the string length of the instrument?

BrainCrasher · #20 04-24-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

I suspect this was someone's at-home DIY attempt at making a double bass. Does it even have a bass bar or sound post?

I don't thing that.. It was bought from a music shop in Croatia. I don't know if it has a bass bar... but I'm sure it has sound posts.. You can see them through the holes on front..

how to check if there is a bass bar?