• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Carbon Fiber Double Bass?

#24
bassfacer22 said:
Yes thanks for that.. all I can find now is this.. which of course how to buy one now-a-days? I actually have one already but want to contact them again..

man.. I'ts like they went out of business but somehow I feel they are still there just maybe need the phone number or something..

Instruments of Grace
Click to expand...
Hi, I just confirmed with my bass man that Quintus did indeed go out of business. He ordered one for a customer maybe 10 years ago. I remember playing it when he got it in. It had very even response up and down the fingerboard. Because it was carbon fiber, it had no seams, did not warp or separate, and did not require an adjustable or multiple bridges for seasonal changes. Amplified it sounded actually better thank my C-2 Kay. Very even response and clear tone. It only weighed 17 pounds. I just found out that his other customer decided he didn’t like/want it and the instrument was returned. I wish I’d known, although 10 years ago with multiple college tuitions to pay for I wouldn’t have been able to afford the $7,000 starting price tag at that time. There are other companies listing carbon fiber uprights that are the in the $12k range. I haven’t seen or played the others. I was very impressed with the Quintus.
 
  • Like
Reactions: VictorW126
#25
Bobo said:
Hi, I just confirmed with my bass man that Quintus did indeed go out of business. He ordered one for a customer maybe 10 years ago. I remember playing it when he got it in. It had very even response up and down the fingerboard. Because it was carbon fiber, it had no seams, did not warp or separate, and did not require an adjustable or multiple bridges for seasonal changes. Amplified it sounded actually better thank my C-2 Kay. Very even response and clear tone. It only weighed 17 pounds. I just found out that his other customer decided he didn’t like/want it and the instrument was returned. I wish I’d known, although 10 years ago with multiple college tuitions to pay for I wouldn’t have been able to afford the $7,000 starting price tag at that time. There are other companies listing carbon fiber uprights that are the in the $12k range. I haven’t seen or played the others. I was very impressed with the Quintus.
Click to expand...


Yes, well, that's sad, because I actually wanted to buy a 5-string Carbon Fiber bass!

Now I can't....

I still have my Quintus Ultimas? bass by the way, and it's sitting in my home.. I should use it.. Mine is Midnight blue color!
 
#32
LouisF said:
There are two on Reverb:

Quintus Carbon Fiber composite Double Bass 1997 black | jeff's instrument and gear Listings | Reverb

Carbon Fiber 3/4 Upright Bass w/ Bow and Bag | Brushstroke Music | Reverb
Click to expand...
i played a quintus 3/4 about 10 years ago. david mix had ordered one for a customer. he let me try it out. it weighed 17 pounds! acoustically it has a nice tone, albeit whiter than a wooden bass; however, amplified, with a david gage pickup, it sounded excellent, with a very even sound up and down the fingerboard...no hidden sweet spots...just very even volume and tone and sustain. i was very impressed, but i didn’t have $7,000 i could put towards another bass...17 pounds, versus the 37 pounds of my plywood bass! impressive...
 
#33
So it seems the consensus is that at best a CF bass can sound about as good as a wooden bass of similar price?

I have seen this many times in my life - new material comes out, people naturally assume it'll make everything better. In mentoring younger engineers, I have often told them "don't talk to me about exotic materials till you've explored the basic materials: mild steel, 6061 aluminum, paper, wood, glass, etc."
 
  • Like
Reactions: El Thumpo and Bobo
#34
turf3 said:
So it seems the consensus is that at best a CF bass can sound about as good as a wooden bass of similar price?

I have seen this many times in my life - new material comes out, people naturally assume it'll make everything better. In mentoring younger engineers, I have often told them "don't talk to me about exotic materials till you've explored the basic materials: mild steel, 6061 aluminum, paper, wood, glass, etc."
Click to expand...
when the quintus bass was delivered, david said it was in tune. there are no seams to let loose. the customer he ordered it for did a lot of traveling. the main reason i was interested in one is because i injured my back getting my plywood bass in and out of the car.
 
#35
Rimas said:
A few years ago hammond ashley's had one in their store. I dint play it, but I did ask about it. They told me that the guy that used to own it, or maybe someone else that owned one, would simply take the strings (and related accessorries, of course) off when they travelled, and just check the bass (airline) without a case. They said that there were never any problems.
Click to expand...

So did you end up buying it. Also, what was the price they were asking? I live the Seattle area and am also a customer of Hammond Ashley. I did buy a Carbon Fiber German Bow there used for $750, The Metropolitan. It plays really well, and I really like it a lot.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back