tamburitzan Bass?

Alexi David · #1 07-21-2005, 10:06 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ory=16222&rd=1

Ok, WHAT is this? I once read something about basses in eastern Europe being converted, with frets added - I think I see frets in the photo.

I like the part where it candidly says "some repairs needed" - and you see a big piece of the upper ribs missing!

Paul Warburton · #2 07-21-2005, 02:45 PM

Alexi, remember Bob Branstetter? Silly question...I miss the hell outta him.
He had one of these and made a great DB out of it.
It had a different name...i'll have to find out. See the pick-gaurd? No fingerboard and yeah the neck has frets.
I'll send him this link.

Paul Warburton · #3 07-21-2005, 03:18 PM

Just got a mail from Branstetter. The name is a Berda.
I've heard this name more often than the other, but that doesn't mean anything.

Alexi David · #4 07-22-2005, 05:09 AM

That's right, a Berda!

Mark E Chachich · #5 08-09-2005, 12:48 PM

The tamburitza is a family of musical instruments, or an orchestra made of these instruments. They are popular in the folk music of Croatia. The contrabass member of the tamburitza orchestra (Berda) looks somewhat like a doublebass, but is built with frets and has a flat fingboard (it is a different instrument). However, in current times the contrabass instead of the berda is often used. I grew up listening to tamburitza orchestras, the bass parts are good and got me interested in playing the contrabass.

best,
Mark E. Chachich

godoze · #6 08-09-2005, 01:01 PM

so you could take the frets out and have a lined fretless berda ?

anonymous0726 · #7 08-09-2005, 01:17 PM

Jaco would've done it.