Solo (5/8) Size Bases

[nw basser]

Anybody know some good makers who make 5/8th size basses?

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by nw basser

Anybody know some good makers who make 5/8th size basses?

Makers from which century? What Price range? What string length?

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[Francois Blais]

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[nw basser]

Current makers really, and any price range. Sorry to be so vague, but I'm just curious to see some, that's all.

[Heifetzbass]

Originally Posted by nw basser

Current makers really, and any price range. Sorry to be so vague, but I'm just curious to see some, that's all.

nw basser,

We are asking what you play... style, what you currently own, is this your first DB etc... with no info to go on it is hard to point you in the right direction.

Having said that the only two places it sounds like you would like to know about are lemurmusic.com, and Rumano Solano. Lemur has a "factory" 5/8 size if I recall correctly. Rumano
will make you a custom hand-carved bass but it will cost you.

That's all I can come up with based on your info.

Good luck,
BG

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by nw basser

Anybody know some good makers who make 5/8th size basses?

I suppose the real question is why you would want such a thing?

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by nw basser

Current makers really, and any price range. Sorry to be so vague, but I'm just curious to see some, that's all.

Ok, how about a small 3/4-5/8 20th century Italian Bass for about 50k? The string length is 39 1/2", the condition is very good for a 1936 Bass and the sound is fantastic. Plays like butter too. Can be used in an Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Solo or even Jazz if you put different strings on it.

This fits your "any price range" I think. Right?

Or, if still available (it was for sale 2 years ago) is the 'Dumas' Maggini. It has been restored since I played it in 1971. I think because of its size which is smaller then the one mentioned above was selling for only about 85k when I last asked. An orchestra sized Maggini sold for about 240k a few years ago so this one is a real bargain. You think? I am not sure the year but Maggini died in 1630 so this would be considered 'used' as well.

[billyfalconer]

Originally Posted by nw basser

Anybody know some good makers who make 5/8th size basses?

Why does solo equal 5/8ths? Sloping shoulders are something that most people equate with solo basses, but you can have full-sized and 3/4 basses with sloping shoulders.

[Phil Rowan]

Originally Posted by billyfalconer

Why does solo equal 5/8ths? Sloping shoulders are something that most people equate with solo basses, but you can have full-sized and 3/4 basses with sloping shoulders.

Right. A set of solo strings would be a bit more affordable.

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by billyfalconer

Why does solo equal 5/8ths? Sloping shoulders are something that most people equate with solo basses, but you can have full-sized and 3/4 basses with sloping shoulders.

Sloping shoulders like these?

1, Loveri) Body length..43"
String length.*42 5/8"
Upper Bout...19 1/4"
Middle Bout.13 3/4"
Lower Bout..27"
Rib Depth....7 3/4"-7 1/2" (6" at Neck)


2, Cornerless) Body length..44 5/8"
String length.*44 1/4"
Upper Bout...19 7/8"
Middle Bout.16 3/8"
Lower Bout..27"
Rib Depth....7 3/4" (5 3/4" at Neck)

[AMJBASS]

That cornerless bass floors me every time I see it Ken! What a lovely looking instrument!

Here is a picture of a Hungarian 5/8ths size bass that I used to own. It was very playable. Great with the bow, not so much Pizz.

[MD]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I suppose the real question is why you would want such a thing?

Why not?
Perhaps the OP is small in stature and his hands are more suited to a smaller bass.
Maybe he's researching for a son or daughter.
Maybe hauling a 3/4 is difficult due to an injury, but a smaller bass allows him to get out and play.
Or it could be, he's a classically trained cellist, who loves to play jazz, and the shorter string length is a bit more comfortable.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by MD

Why not?
Perhaps the OP is small in stature and his hands are more suited to a smaller bass.
Maybe he's researching for a son or daughter.
Maybe hauling a 3/4 is difficult due to an injury, but a smaller bass allows him to get out and play.
Or it could be, he's a classically trained cellist, who loves to play jazz, and the shorter string length is a bit more comfortable.

I can't believe most people would notice a difference between 3/4 and 5/8....

I've seen identical size basses labelled 3/4 and 4/4...

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I can't believe most people would notice a difference between 3/4 and 5/8....

I've seen identical size basses labelled 3/4 and 4/4...

Correct on the Sizes. I posted a Size naming game on my Forum. Equally confusing..lol

Here's three Basses of mine that depending on who you ask is either a 3/4, small 3/4 or a 5/8. You tell me!



1, Candi) Body length..42 3/8"
String length.39 1/2"
Upper Bout...18 3/4"
Middle Bout.13 1/2"
Lower Bout..24 3/4"
Rib Depth....7 3/4"

2, Bohemian) Body length..43"
String length.40 3/4"
Upper Bout...20"
Middle Bout.14 5/8"
Lower Bout..25 5/8"
Rib Depth....8" (6 1/2" at Neck)

3, Batchelder)(#4 in my game list) Body length..41"
String length.41 1/4"
Upper Bout...21"
Middle Bout.14 1/2"
Lower Bout..25 1/4"
Rib Depth....7 1/4" (6" at Neck)

[MD]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

I can't believe most people would notice a difference between 3/4 and 5/8....
I've seen identical size basses labelled 3/4 and 4/4...

The bass in the link is "labelled" 5/8.

http://www.nahrmannbass.com/cgi-bin/...rd&UsedID=0000

It's similar to Ken's #1.
Compared to my Juzek, it's upper/lower bouts are 1" smaller.
The body is ~3" shorter, and the string length difference is 3-1/2".
This is clearly a smaller instrument, and I can't imagine a "player" not noticing.

Maybe the Juzek is on the large side of the general "3/4" sizing?

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by MD

The bass in the link is "labelled" 5/8.

http://www.nahrmannbass.com/cgi-bin/...rd&UsedID=0000

It's similar to Ken's #1.
Compared to my Juzek, it's upper/lower bouts are 1" smaller.
The body is ~3" shorter, and the string length difference is 3-1/2".
This is clearly a smaller instrument, and I can't imagine a "player" not noticing.

Maybe the Juzek is on the large side of the general "3/4" sizing?

The Bass in that Link for whatever it's worth in my opinion is completely wrong in its age and origin appraisal. I think it is either late 19th or early 20th century German and not anything close to the 18th century. A smashed up poorly repaired Top does not equate to me an old Bass. Just a poorly kept one!

[toman]

Uh, I'm no expert, but... Anyone want to comment on that?

[AMJBASS]

Nice

[Water Dog]

There is a luthier in Baltimore, Maryland, who has made several 5/8 instruments on a scaled-down French solo bass patern after Quenoil, with a carved back. He also makes a Maggini pattern flat back taken from an altered violon. Both are about 100 cm string length.

As a solo oddity, he has made a 5-string 5/8ths instrument with a high-C string that looks very much like a Baroque instrument in plan and ornaments (pierced scroll, double purfling).

He's not bad, price-wise. His instruments start at about $10,000.

Try James Cox, Luthier at 410-419-0642.

Water Dog

[Bruce Lindfield]

I suppose my point is - if you come across a nice bass labelled as 5/8 - then great! But why would you actively go looking for such a thing - surely, you would just be making it difficult for yourself?

Isn't it best to just try basses and if they feel right - then why worry about what label they have as regards size?