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For sale 5 String DB For Sale

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PRICE REDUCED FROM $10,000 TO $8500
THE BASS IS NOW LOCATED AT WORLD OF STRINGS IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA

FOR SALE: EXCELLENT 1928 CZECH 5 STRING DOUBLE BASS
This bass has a clear, deep, resonant sound good for
both bowing and plucking. The low B string really
shakes the whole house! The fully carved bass is gamba
shaped and was upgraded to a 5 string design in 1998
by Lisa Gass, a fine luthier in Los Angeles. That
upgrade includes gorgeous silver tuning gears; new
neck (very playable for 5 string), scroll, extended
fingerboard planed perfectly across the entire
register, gotz endpin, adjustable bridge, tailpiece,
and a 5 string set of thomastik spirocore strings or
your preferred choice of strings. Included is a
Mooradian fully padded cover and a bass wheel for ease
of transportation. I can supply a student level bow as
well.

The deep, clear tone and extended low range are
perfect for an orchestral setting with playing ease
and flexibility that only a 5 string offers. This bass
also does remarkably well in an acoustic (or
amplified) jazz situation. I have also used the bass
for opera, big band, pop, and recording with wonderful
results as the clear tone throughout the range makes
it a perfect all around bass. The bass is like a mix
between Dennis Trembly (Los Angeles Philharmonic
principal) and John Clayton (jazz virtuoso). I love
this bass but must sell.

6 years ago in 1998 the bass was appraised at $10,000.
Lisa Gass (the luthier who upgraded) verbally
appraised it at $12,000 in March, 2004. With this bass
you are fully prepared to execute anything and more
that the music demands. I am lowering the price from
$10,900 to $10,000 and will consider any serious
offers. This bass is worth every penny.

The bass is currently in Long Beach, CA. I am willing
to drive the bass within reason to potential serious
buyers (or buyer may come to the bass). I also have a
trunk if it needs to be shipped. Or the buyer may
supply his/her own trunk. Buyer will receive all paper
work, including the insurance appraisal and upgrades.

All inquiries may be directed to Vince Johnson:
[email protected] 831 539 6630
www.fourfreshmen.com

Comments

first of all, sorry for posting the ad twice. That was an accident.

A little bit more about my 5 string. Athough i would endorse the bass more in an arco situation the pizzicato on this bass is quite good. With a new thomastik spirochore orchestra gauge low B string the bass gets a pretty good growl on the low D, Eb, C#, and C. The older the string gets the darker the tone will be (sustain, etc.). For a 5 string bass the tone is quite even over the whole range especially with the bow.
My recommendation would be to put orchestra spirochores on the low B and E strings and then maybe Helicore or your preferred strings on the upper strings. That will produce the most even sound throughout the range. Of course if you are amplifying the instrument you can adjust the EQ to fine tune the evenness to the room, etc.

Also, to get the even sound this is a pretty big bass. I would say that it is on the larger side of 7/8. However the neck is designed quite well to accomodate most hands. It is quite playable and fun for a large bass.

Thanks all,
Vince Johnson
 
Hi Vince, how's the string spacing? Would you say it's narrow compared to a four-string? Or about the same?
 
nonsqtr said:
Hi Vince, how's the string spacing? Would you say it's narrow compared to a four-string? Or about the same?

I played this bass today. The spacing is less than a four as is usually the case with 5's, but very comfortable. The bass is good for the price and feels great. Lisa did a wonderfull job with the neck. I would consider it if I were in the market for a five.

Jon
 
Some pics would be nice. I might entertain the idea of a 5 as I am trying one out. I can't get to LA till I go to NAMM in January so pics would help me decide if I need to go there. Also, the full list of dimentions would be nice along with the string spacing, center-to-center, string-to-string at the nut and bridge.

Most important to me is it's bowing capability. The 5 I am trying now barely has enough room to bow the 'B' string without hitting the 'C' Bout and the Arch of the strings at the bridge is still too shallow. I don't think this Bass would make it for me after I re-cut the top of the bridge. It has 'normal' string spacing and 'not' crunched together at all. I would like about 25mm spacing at most with 9-10mm at the nut.
 

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vjfourfreshmen
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