Double Bass Can Anyone Tell Me About This K.C. Strings Bass?

[CombustionToad]

Hi there-

I'm usually pretty good at finding information about instruments (strings, model, etc.), but this instrument has proven difficult. I'm wondering if anyone can tell me anything about this KC Strings bass... What strings are these and why are they installed so interestingly? What model is this and are there any others like it? From my searches so far, I have found nothing. The shoulders are very narrow and it seems to be modeled after a Quenoil-type bass.

See attached pictures and let me know! I have attached the only words on the inside of the bass as well, not very much info.

 

[SAlcott]

The strings look like D'Addarios unnecessarily mounted like one would install gut strings with a loop end-or it's a bass with a short mensure and this was done to take up some length.

 

[CombustionToad]

See the attached closer photo of the strings:

 

[CombustionToad]

The strings look like D'Addarios unnecessarily mounted like one would install gut strings with a loop end-or it's a bass with a short mensure and this was done to take up some length.

It is a pretty short scale length, so I assume you are probably right that they were mounted that way to take up some length.

 

[AGCurry]

I'll bet @Greg Clinkingbeard would be able to answer questions about the bass itself. Failing that, call KC Strings. They're pretty nice people.

 

[eh_train]

Hi there-

What model is this and are there any others like it?

It's likely an imported bass set up in their shop. Something of a long shot / guess but the button looks exactly like a Xue Chang Sun bass that I had. It was a beautifully made instrument.

 

[LouisF]

Most of their basses come from China and are finished in the shop. Sun may be one of their supplier: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[JAKBOUND]

See the attached closer photo of the strings:

That string setup was something that Francois Rabbath and George Vance were keen on with Corelli strings. Since there is a George Vance method book on the stand I guess the owner is under the instruction of a teacher that follows that method and hence may have advised that stringing method. I never heard a comparison of with and without this stringing method, but since both Francois and George had beautiful tone I do not question it.
Francois was regularly in KC for the excellent bass workshop that Johnny still holds each summer in KC.
It's not surprising that KC strings has a Queniol model as they help with the workshop.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

I'll bet @Greg Clinkingbeard would be able to answer questions about the bass itself. Failing that, call KC Strings. They're pretty nice people.

Well, this bass predates my employment there by about seven years and I left KC Strings/Krutz in January to open my own shop.
That said, it looks like a beautiful instrument that hasn't been played much. It certainly has been well taken care of. It is not a model I'm familiar with.
I would encourage you to have it looked at by someone you trust to ensure that it is healthy. Basses break, get repaired and there might be something a luthier would see that a player might not.

The string installation may be a Rabbath thing but I don't see an issue either way.

Good luck.

 

[CombustionToad]

That string setup was something that Francois Rabbath and George Vance were keen on with Corelli strings. Since there is a George Vance method book on the stand I guess the owner is under the instruction of a teacher that follows that method and hence may have advised that stringing method. I never heard a comparison of with and without this stringing method, but since both Francois and George had beautiful tone I do not question it.
Francois was regularly in KC for the excellent bass workshop that Johnny still holds each summer in KC.
It's not surprising that KC strings has a Queniol model as they help with the workshop.

I did not know that was a Rabbath stringing technique! Good information to have, and yes, the owner was under instruction of a teacher that follows Rabbath's method. There is a Laborie style endpin hole in the bottom.