Double Bass Best modern five string maker

[Calvin Marks]

i think a lot of the same great bass makers will know how to dial in a good 5 string.

K&T seems to do excellent work. does anyone know their prices? 4 or 5 strings?

mitch moehring just finished a 5 string that looks to be a really fine instrument.

The Moehring is in Toronto - hoping to befriend the owner so I can try it . I think it is a 5/8 bass with a high C.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

That Bohmann probably sounds good but it is very hard to look at. Maybe if it was like 5-10k

As I recall, it's very heavy if that means anything to you.

 

[BassFalcon]

As I recall, it's very heavy if that means anything to you.

Removing those cast iron tuners would probably half the weight, but my lord are they works of art.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

About 15 years ago when I was in the Johannesburg Philharmonic the orchestra had three five string Pollmans from the late 70s - they had that church organ like pedal tone. You hit the low B and it provides this warm drone that the entire orchestra can sit on top of. Looking for that again. I think the string length was north of 42" and the neck was wide so nott he easiest to play.

I had a chance to play one of Andy Anderson's (from Chicago Lyric Opera) Pollman 5 stringers years ago. He explained how he spent a long time tweaking the setup. It played so easy and felt almost bass guitar like in first position. And he gets the most wonderful sound.

 

[crd]

Man, glad Pdubs isn't here to hear you all besmirch the Bohmann. I bet that bass is worth every penny, but I too prefer a less baroque looking bass...

 

[LouisF]

The Ross-Wharburton 5-string I played at Disney several years ago was based (no pun) on the Bohmann. It was a massive floor shaker and fairly easy to get around but it weighed a TON and would not want to schlep it on a daily basis. It's the dragon head in the gallery link:
https://www.rossdoublebass.com/gallery

 

[robobass]

Check out Andrew Pitts. An American working near Prague.

 

[LouisF]

I had an Andrew Pitts solo bass on trial for a while. Terrific instrument, but I went with Andrea Spada. It was an earlier than the one in the link:
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[Paps]

Then there is Tom Martin or Horst Gruenert.
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There's a 5 string Grunert at Robertson violins at the moment in the $20-30k range.
Bass Inventory

 

[Eli Brockway]

The Moehring is in Toronto - hoping to befriend the owner so I can try it . I think it is a 5/8 bass with a high C.

It is, but I don't doubt he'd be willing to do a larger one with a low B one of these days.

Next time I'm visiting family down in Texas I plan to stop in his shop and see what else he might be working on—he's the one my second cousin bought her cello from and goes to for any work, since he's just up the road.

 

[garrett2]

On Instagram, Bozo Paradzik just mentioned playing a “subwoofer-like” 5 string built by Derek High. His basses seem to be very highly regarded (please excuse the pun).

 

[LouisF]

https://www.high-bass.de/7354778-5-string-basses

 

[garrett2]

And what other bass maker out there has Brian May in their bass videos?

 

[Paps]

Here's a Tom Martin 5 string just arrived at the BassViolin Shop. Only $28k! Lovely looking bass.

 

[Leif Dering]

1968 Poellmann 5 string - Steve Swan String Basses
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Going to be in LA in a few weeks. Hope this one is there.

Did you wind up going to Steve? He's great, when he gets a five string in they're usually very good. He really makes sure to pick out good stuff.

 

[LouisF]

Steve also has a New Standard 5 string, which, while a laminate, could be interesting:
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[Paps]

Yes, the Poellman could be a winner, but I notice the dimensions are on the small side.
May be ideal for you, but for an Orchestral bass, hitting the low notes, I myself prefer a bigger body.
However a small good'un is better that a big tea-chest!

I see Steve Swan also has this Pollmann 5 stringer. Now this is more like it!
A bigger bass, slightly more expensive, but still very manageable.

1963 Pollman small 7/8 carved back 5 string

 

[LouisF]

Unfortunately, I tried the 7/8 Pollman at Steve's (whom I consider a friend). It is over built, tubby and would need a complete top off overhaul. Size does not always matter.

 

[Mark_T]

It is ... tubby and would need a complete top off overhaul.

Unfortunately, the same could be said about me.

 

[jmpiwonka]

I just got a bass from one of the luthiers in the second post. I really wish I could’ve driven it up to Mitch Moehring for the setup work but with young kids it’s just too difficult to find the time for that much driving. Mitch def seems to be a cool cat (thanks social media!!)