Object to reduce dampening of back from the knee/leg?

[anonymous12251111]

Hi there, I sit on a stool and I have quite short legs so my knee has to hit the back of the bass right about where the sound post is. I read in Gnut Guertler's (sp?!) book that he uses some some of over sized viola shoulder rest to clamp onto the ribs of the bass so his knee touches that instead of the back of the bass. Does anyone know of any device that accomplishes this? My bass sounds about 25 percent more responsive without my knee touching the back, trying to find a way around this issue without having to play standing.

Thx

[mcnaire2004]

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

Hi there, I sit on a stool and I have quite short legs so my knee has to hit the back of the bass right about where the sound post is. I read in Gnut Guertler's (sp?!) book that he uses some some of over sized viola shoulder rest to clamp onto the ribs of the bass so his knee touches that instead of the back of the bass. Does anyone know of any device that accomplishes this? My bass sounds about 25 percent more responsive without my knee touching the back, trying to find a way around this issue without having to play standing.

Thx

Well, standing is the prime way to play.

But, if you don't like that try sitting a different style.

[anonymous12251111]

Originally Posted by mcnaire2004

Well, standing is the prime way to play.

But, if you don't like that try sitting a different style.

I don't want to stand, I'm an orchestral player and I enjoy the comfort of sitting. I'm just curious if there is a device that reduces the dampening of vibrations on the back of the instrument.

[anon_6j591b0]

You know anything about what film grips do or the equipment they use? Some pieces of grip gear that come to mind are a either a maffer clamp (http://www.manfrotto.com/Jahia/site/...ivid=53&idx=54) or a probably better a cardellini (http://www.cardelliniclamp.com/2e.htm) onto the stool leg with a short grip arm (http://www.msegrip.com/mse.php?show=...87f41f0b40ffb5) with a padded T bracket on the end to take the weight of the bass somewhere other than at the soundpost. If you had this problem on a movie set a grip could probably solve it for you in 5 or 10 minutes. Poke around those links for more ideas.

If it were me I'd look at how Rabbath sits and do what he does. Rumor has it he gets an ok sound sitting......

[theshadow2001]

Just as a complete shot in the dark. Would one of those little step things that classical guitarists use allow you to sit in away that would provide comfort and not have your knee rest against the bass?

[anonymous12251111]

Problem solved!!! Check out: Play on Air Viola Shoulder Rests! They work really well.