He probably just lets the players in the section with extensions do it.There's a story about a principal who had a great bass with a ferocious wolf on F#. He would ghost that note if necessary and let the rest of the section play it.
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Double Bass C extension
- Thread starter Willbasston78
- Start date
i had no idea there were such notable orchestral players without extensions.
i used to have a bass with a removable extension. i would a/b test it on and off and while im sure there are certain differences (ie wolf note relocating) i don't think it's good or bad. just more mass to the scroll.
getting by without one is definitely a perfectly reasonable thing to do for many of us.
i used to have a bass with a removable extension. i would a/b test it on and off and while im sure there are certain differences (ie wolf note relocating) i don't think it's good or bad. just more mass to the scroll.
getting by without one is definitely a perfectly reasonable thing to do for many of us.
I can honestly say that it is a luxury that I could have done without... It has BARELY been used since I had it installed, but I have 2 basses. One with the xtension and one without...
I am now taking lessons to improve my bowing. Maybe after some time studying, it will finally come into use...
But, it could have been a new bow or money in the bank instead... My inability to be patient and wait was a mistake IMO...
I am now taking lessons to improve my bowing. Maybe after some time studying, it will finally come into use...
But, it could have been a new bow or money in the bank instead... My inability to be patient and wait was a mistake IMO...
This could have easily been my story. When I had mine installed years ago my luthier actually tried to talk me out of it but I wouldn't hear it. Luckily for me, I got into enough orchestra playing that it has been worthwhile. If that hadn't been the case, it would have just been an expensive curiosity.
I have played in an amateur orchestra for years, quite happily without an extension.
The times I need to play below low E are very few and far between, and there is never an issue with transposing.
With the prices I am seeing quoted, I would see much better value in buying a used bass with extension already fitted and selling the old bass. I doubt you would get the extra value of fitting an extension back on sale.
As others have stated, fitting an extension may well change the tone and response of your bass.
The times I need to play below low E are very few and far between, and there is never an issue with transposing.
With the prices I am seeing quoted, I would see much better value in buying a used bass with extension already fitted and selling the old bass. I doubt you would get the extra value of fitting an extension back on sale.
As others have stated, fitting an extension may well change the tone and response of your bass.
Echoing master Paul Warburton (RIP) a 5 string is the way to go. Much easier to play and the easier access to the sub E notes is so nice. I don't have to worry about or think how to make those low notes happen when playing a standard, they're right there with under the E string. It's not going to serve you well walking rhythm changes at 350 bpm on a B string, but it sure is great for more medium tunes, ballads, and dropping the occasional bomb. For what I do, it is the most elegant solution.
I haven't experienced a changed response in the bass, but the tone has improved. I think the low notes allowed it to open up quite a bit. Of course, as for anything doublebass, your mileage may vary, but to quote my luthier, "I have never heard of a bass not sounding better with a C extension"
I mentioned this in the other extension thread last week. I removed an extension from a giant old Hawkes bass last year that had several different models added over a century and it did wonders for the bass. Before removal, the bass had a few lower notes, but nothing inspiring; it always sounded choked and not living up to its potential. After removal, it opened up the whole bass and now everyone that plays it does not want to put it down.
The only problem is that it is always a gamble. You'll never know until you get it done if that is the right thing for both you and the bass.
The only problem is that it is always a gamble. You'll never know until you get it done if that is the right thing for both you and the bass.
Then there's this. I don't know how well it works or anyone who uses one, but it seems like an interesting device. If anyone has one, I'd love to hear what you think:
FreeRange XTender
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]Instantly Drop tune your upright bass with a quick flip of a lever! The FreeRange Xtender attaches between your tailpiece and string. Click here for Youtube demo …
Multiple FreeRanges can be used to instantly flip from bass (forth) to cello (fifth) tuning (as shown in this YouTube-Film). Steel core strings are best suited for use with the FreeRange Xtender. Sythetic core strings (like e.g. Obligato, Pirazzi, Zyex) have a smaller tunable range, because they stretch more than steel.
185,– €*
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
FreeRange XTender
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]Instantly Drop tune your upright bass with a quick flip of a lever! The FreeRange Xtender attaches between your tailpiece and string. Click here for Youtube demo …
Multiple FreeRanges can be used to instantly flip from bass (forth) to cello (fifth) tuning (as shown in this YouTube-Film). Steel core strings are best suited for use with the FreeRange Xtender. Sythetic core strings (like e.g. Obligato, Pirazzi, Zyex) have a smaller tunable range, because they stretch more than steel.
185,– €*
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I have tried it and it works well. Although I tried it on a bass with an xtension also…
I had to have an extension added to my bass because of a show requirement. Ben Joella installed it...his charge was very reasonable but definitely more than $700. I basically worked the 1st week of the show for free but I wouldn't have gotten the gig without the C. It has since come in very handy.
Yeah but usually you don't have to do so much to a scroll to fit an extension.
