The Talkbasses v.2 (bass eye candy collection)

John Sprague · #1 03-08-2005, 10:26 PM

Alright v.2 of The Talkbasses is launched!

This version will allow me to quickly add a nearly infinite number of basses as you guys & gals send them to me. The site outlines the criteria.

Please report any bugs or other issues here. The old link will no longer work. Requires the Flash player browser plug-in, v.6 or higher.

So, complete with its own proper web address, nothing but bass porn:

www.thetalkbasses.com

5stringDNA · #2 03-08-2005, 10:54 PM

Sweet. I got to see Paul's Bohmann in person and really loved it. That Martini of Ken's absolutely gorgeous as well!

dodgy_ian · #3 03-09-2005, 02:35 AM

i'm loving the five string, thats what i'm gasing for!!!

Dodge

Paul Warburton · #4 03-09-2005, 07:21 AM

Well John, as you probably guessed, I just got out of the bathroom! The sense of release and relief is wonderful.....
I've spent a whole lot of time with Arnold's and Jeff's basses and of course all of Ken's babies in the past. This time, I really enjoyed spending some quality time with Nnicks bass. I love the scroll so much....many kudos Nnick!!!!
Jason's bass is really interesting in many different ways. It's great to see Sam's bass in detail, after wondering for so long how ALL of it looked.
And Monte's Solano has always been one of my favorites just for the pure size of it!
The new addition of Brent's basses, to me, is strangely appropriate not only for the colors, but Brent's eye for design is really wonderful. I'd love to hear how the Shen Argyle sounds and plays!
Anyway, you've done a spectacular job again John! Thanks....the amount of time and care you've put into BOTH versions of the TalkBasses should make those people whining about the measely $20 supporting member fee for TBDB feel really silly. Same goes for Damon's hosting of the Sampler!

Sam Sherry · #5 03-09-2005, 07:27 AM

Unbelievable! John, my hat is off to you! You've done a great job and developed a resource that is gorgeous, valuable and fun.

At a time when some in the DB world charge people to look at photos CSC/Shen has taken a bold step in the other direction. Bravo!

This is going to be a serious distraction . . . .

Tom Hutton · #6 03-09-2005, 07:51 AM

Wow! That is some hardcore bass pr0n! Great work John, thanks a lot - and thanks to all you guys for putting your fabulous basses on display for the rest of us to lust after

P.S. Paul, I'm sure this has been dealt with already, but as this is the first time I've seen your (outstanding) bass, what is the purpose of the double shoulders? Were they added after the original construction and so are they structural, purely cosmetic or what? Thanks!

Paul Warburton · #7 03-09-2005, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRFC

Wow! That is some hardcore bass pr0n! Great work John, thanks a lot - and thanks to all you guys for putting your fabulous basses on display for the rest of us to lust after

P.S. Paul, I'm sure this has been dealt with already, but as this is the first time I've seen your (outstanding) bass, what is the purpose of the double shoulders? Were they added after the original construction and so are they structural, purely cosmetic or what? Thanks!

The double shoulders, and this is just a guess, were included when the bass was made. Bohmann, in my opinion, was influenced by the work of the Brescian Master Maggini....Maggini made several violones with double shoulders similar to these. They are laid right on top of the ribs and are entirely decorative. They are hollow. I had to totally revamp my thumb position playing in order to get around comfortably up there.
This cat was really into that roccoco style lutherie. It's like he just couldn't stop carving and in-laying!!
The remarkable thing about this whole thing is that although the bass was made somewhere around 1888, i'm the first player! It was tied up in a family estate squabble. When my wife and I visited Kagen and Gaines in Chicago in 1978, we made an offer (the store was handling the sale for the family) and were turned down initially. I got a phone call a few months later from the store saying " Come and get it" We were in the car the next morning headed for Chicago.

Tom Hutton · #8 03-09-2005, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

The double shoulders, and this is just a guess, were included when the bass was made ... I had to totally revamp my thumb position playing in order to get around comfortably up there.

Thanks Paul, very informative! From the look of the shoulders they were obviously an addition, but I was unsure as to why it would be done due to the problems you describe. Similarly I have only ever seen that feature on early music instruments, never on the bass. A great bass and a great story!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

This cat was really into that roccoco style lutherie. It's like he just couldn't stop carving and in-laying!!

Yeah, I dig those f-holes and the pinstriped back. And the neck. And the tuners... well all of it really

Ike Harris · #9 03-09-2005, 09:37 AM

Paul-

I'm going to be in Denver again at the end of Sept. for the Jazz Summit. I really want to see that bass this time, if at all possible.

Ike

Brent Norton · #10 03-09-2005, 09:48 AM

Outstanding work as always, John! The site looks great!

**paul** · #11 03-09-2005, 10:08 AM

Excellent site design John - Congrats, and thank you for doing this for the TBDB community

Paul Warburton · #12 03-09-2005, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRFC

From the look of the shoulders they were obviously an addition, but I was unsure as to why it would be done due to the problems you describe.

I'm either misunderstanding what you're saying or the other way around.
The shoulders are an original part of the bass. He included them when the bass was born. Not an addition.

Paul Warburton · #13 03-09-2005, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ike Harris

Paul-

I'm going to be in Denver again at the end of Sept. for the Jazz Summit. I really want to see that bass this time, if at all possible.
Ike

You're on Ike....lemme know!

Tom Hutton · #14 03-09-2005, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

I'm either misunderstanding what you're saying or the other way around.
The shoulders are an original part of the bass. He included them when the bass was born. Not an addition.

Well, I'm pretty new to this game, so misunderstandings on my part are not uncommon

I didn't mean the shoulders were a more recent addition, rather I meant that it looked as though Bohmann made a complete bass, then added the 'extra' shoulders. So they are, as you say, entirely decorative and added onto already complete ribs during original construction, rather than being part of the integral structure of the top/back/ribs. Sorry for the confusion!

John Sprague · #15 03-11-2005, 11:44 AM

Thanks for your kind words gents, it's my pleasure. I hope you all enjoyed the music by Jim as well (player at bottom left if you missed it).

Send more basses! take them pics! Lots of room left on the server for this project.

Best,
John

John Sprague · #16 03-19-2005, 10:54 PM

A couple of updates:

Added Ahnold's Ergonomic bass, will have larger images than these if his webmaster can locate the originals.

Added Brian "Heifetzbass" Gencarelli's bass, the Heifetz bass.

dblbassmike · #17 04-10-2005, 03:41 PM

I love the stie. very cool.

John Sprague · #18 05-13-2005, 09:03 AM

Added a nice one today: Brian Kobayakawa's Pollmann.

Just a couple of reminders: if you want any other desktop backgrounds made for the desktops section, let me know. Also I hope you are enjoying the music by Jim Furgeson, using the mp3 player at bottom left. All bassists should here that song at least once.

Paul Warburton · #19 05-13-2005, 10:33 AM

Brian's Pollmann is probably my favorite Pollmann! I like the way they kinda lightened the outline...it seems the Busetto corners are not quite as big and glaring as most Busetto's i've known. Also it's the only Busetto i've seen that has violin corners on the upper C bouts. I also like the machines a lot too.
Other than that, it's a real drag.

To the BATHROOM!

John Sprague · #20 06-23-2005, 12:44 PM

Hey Ken you're welcome.

There are a few guys who are in the "when I get some better pics/get time to shoot/get around to it" mode. I have a couple more to add after the next round of travel next week. It's easier to do these in batches, so now would be a great time for anyone who has pics ready.

The more, the merrier!