The contrabass balalaika, oh yeah!

[BrandenSteele]

I am a bass player, but my secondary instrument is the balalaika. I played it long before I played bass. A few years ago I discovered there is a bass version of it tuned EAD. They are amazing, and sexy. It is impossible to describe how amazing the feel is, how they play, the sound until you actually play one for yourself. Also, the 2 main ways of playing is strumming and plucking.

[NOVAX]

That is totally epic. I am now gassing for one. Thanks.

[Darren Low]

That looks wicked! :P

[Orangeclawhamme]

Who sells these?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Cool, an istrument that's more difficult to transport than a DB, but still easier than a B3 .

Regards
Sam

[chuck3]

you mofos - you ain't seen nothing!

here's Blue Bossa on the contra'laika:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6Ppw...e=results_main



there's actually an even better version, I'll try to find it ...

[xUptheIronsx]

THAT is the best bass for metal...

[chuck3]

here it is - I love this version - ignore all the talk -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPe_fv_uJaM

[BrandenSteele]

http://www.narodnic.ru/index.php?productID=689

Contrabass balalaikas cost about the same as upright basses. That bass right there is pretty much the highest quality contrabass balalaika you can buy.

[JAUQO III-X]

That's nice.

To the op, what type of strings do you have on yours?

[chuck3]

are the three strings really E A D?

I always assumed they were something else.

[Nev375]

I always wanted to play a flying Great Pyramid.

[Blue_Whistle88]

Forgive my ignorance, but doesn't that instrument more or less have the worst of both worlds, from a double bass and a bass guitar?

[McThumpenstein]

I read about these in Bass Player in the 90's. I brought one up to my Russian friend in a conversation and he was floored I actually knew what it was. They're very cool is a way that only Russians can do it.

[TolerancEJ]

When the winter olympics were in Vancouver, there was a Russian pavilion. At the time I visited, a wicked Balalaika player was performing. I think I recorded it with my phone. Now I wonder where I saved it. lol

[BrandenSteele]

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

That's nice.

To the op, what type of strings do you have on yours?

Contrabass balalaika strings are pretty hard to find, and are not made in North America. I'm not too picky because of this so I usually order them from Ebay, 3 packs at a time usually.

[BrandenSteele]

Originally Posted by xUptheIronsx

THAT is the best bass for metal...

A few months ago I was in a metal band for a while. I used my balalaika and tuned it to DAD and played metal with it. When you play one EVERYONE has their eyes on you, and wants to try it

[blowinblue]

Originally Posted by BrandenSteele

I am a bass player, but my secondary instrument is the balalaika. I played it long before I played bass.

Now you done it! You made me pull out my Mercury recording of the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra entitled 'Balalaika Favorites'. Recorded in the USSR in June of 1962. What a great record.

M. M.

[BrandenSteele]

Originally Posted by blowinblue

Now you done it! You made me pull out my Mercury recording of the Osipov State Russian Folk Orchestra entitled 'Balalaika Favorites'. Recorded in the USSR in June of 1962. What a great record.

M. M.

On the topic of balalaikas, you can get good ones off ebay for 100 - 200 dollars. Go get yourself one, comrade!

[RED J]

Did it come with a hardshell case ?