Classical bass guitar

[Hallic]

Hello,

Im wondering if anyone ever played on a "classical bass guitar". This might need some explaining. Most commonly classical bass guitars are 6 strings and have a scale length of either baritone(Depending on "bass" or "contrabass" model). However these are stringed with "guitar" strings, i mean the strings used for these have a different core/winding ratio, resulting a more guitar-like timbre than true bass timbre.

I know there are 4 string "true" classical bass guitars out there. Just look at this video.



So far i have only located one brand:
Esteve PS75

Other brans like Salvador Cortez and Aria only do the 6 string contrabass guitars(and 7,8, 10 strings guitars.. which i reckon are fun, but ofcourse are not played like a bass)

 

[Hallic]

its in this video aswell @4:40

 

[ole Jason]

More

 

[GretschWretch]

Is this



what you have in mind?

 

[GretschWretch]

Or do you mean this?

 

[Hallic]

Is this



what you have in mind?

yes like that. the 2nd video is more what i consider a Guitar which is tuned an octave lower.

 

[Hallic]

Aria AC-75CB/4

Esteve PS75 – Contrabajo
(all solid with and harmonic reinforced bars with ebony. Besides its strings are of better quality)

Esteve P5CB contrabajo
(P5CB laminated background)

Contrabass Guitar Ricardo Moreno Model Bajo

 

[ole Jason]

The Aria seems to not be made anymore

 

[Hallic]

too bad.

found another, however not production model but from a very open minded builder:

The bass doesnt look clasical, however it does use clasical basss-guitar strings like the ones posted in this thread.

 

[ContraGuitar]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but this seemed like the best place to put information about my new guitar. I have just received a contra guitar, a guitar that has six strings and is tuned exactly the same as a classical guitar, but one octave lower. This guitar is often called a contrabass guitar, but that's not accurate, as the guitar is not one octave below a bass, but one octave below a classical guitar.

I play classical guitar so this is convenient, as I can read treble clef and play it the same on this guitar as on my regular classical guitar and it will sound one octave lower. Still, the stretches in first position are huge, I'm trying to get my head around them. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment, haha!

This guitar has a scale length of 90cm, 900mm, while a standard classical guitar has a scale length of 650mm.

Surprisingly, Hannabach sells strings off the shelf for this guitar!

Invalid Link Removed

Who in the world is buying them and where do they live? ;-) I have never seen another 900mm contra guitar.

Anyway, here are some pictures of it, and a couple of videos by a pro after that:

Here is the same guitar being played by Peter Constant, a very talented guitarist who studied with Ben Verdery, chair of the guitar department at Yale. Peter is part of Z.o.o. Duo, a guitar duo/orchestra that uses a wonderful mix of different scale guitars on their recordings. You can find them on YouTube.



and



I'm not sure I'll every be able to play it like Peter does, but maybe with enough practice, I can make some music with this monster. For now, I'm hoping to play some simple bass lines in an ensemble, say a trio or a quartet. Wish me luck.

 

[bholder]

I've got two classical contrasses, a six string and a four. No videos yet, but I do have some clips...

 

[SBassman]

I wish Ibanez or someone would do an affordable 4 string contrabass. There aren't many on the market, and what is out there is very expensive.

 

[bholder]

I wish Ibanez or someone would do an affordable 4 string contrabass. There aren't many on the market, and what is out there is very expensive.

I've had some luck on ebay, finding "damaged in shipping" rebuilds or used student rental models at substantial discount (but still not cheap). But yes, the new ones are rare and pricey.

 

[bholder]

900mm

Wow, that's huge - 35.4" - my contras are both around 30" scale, much more manageable but still a stretch.

 

[mikeoso]

Mine may be some sort of hybrid. It has a string-through bridge and movable saddle, plus a slotted head. The fretboard is elevated higher than usual above the soundboard. However, it was built to take lightweight conventional bass guitar strings. Its body is 25 long, 19 wide, and 5.5 deep. 32" scale. It was built by Jose Mota of Rhode Island and intended to be used for fado. This it on the left.

 

[ContraGuitar]

Wow, that's huge - 35.4" - my contras are both around 30" scale, much more manageable but still a stretch.

Yeah, it is massive! I have long arms and big hands, but my hands aren't THAT big! The frets are a real stretch in first position. The headstock is in another zip code than the rest of the guitar, haha.

I listened to your sound clip, cool playing! There is just something about the bass which is so alluring.

 

[ContraGuitar]

Mine may be some sort of hybrid. It has a string-through bridge and movable saddle, plus a slotted head. The fretboard is elevated higher than usual above the soundboard. However, it was built to take lightweight conventional bass guitar strings. Its body is 25 long, 19 wide, and 5.5 deep. 32" scale. It was built by Jose Mota of Rhode Island and intended to be used for fado. This it on the left.
View attachment 3088793

Funny you mention fado, as I keep reading that the contrabass is used in fado but I have yet to see one like this being played in video of a fado group on YouTube. Do you have any links?

I'm still at a loss as to who is playing a 900mm contra guitar. The only other six string option was the Esteve P75, which is a 750mm instrument and does not sound as good as this guitar. There must be a small market for these kind of instruments.

 

[B-Mac]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but this seemed like the best place to put information about my new guitar. I have just received a contra guitar, a guitar that has six strings and is tuned exactly the same as a classical guitar, but one octave lower. This guitar is often called a contrabass guitar, but that's not accurate, as the guitar is not one octave below a bass, but one octave below a classical guitar.

I play classical guitar so this is convenient, as I can read treble clef and play it the same on this guitar as on my regular classical guitar and it will sound one octave lower. Still, the stretches in first position are huge, I'm trying to get my head around them. Any tips would be greatly appreciated! I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment, haha!

This guitar has a scale length of 90cm, 900mm, while a standard classical guitar has a scale length of 650mm.

Surprisingly, Hannabach sells strings off the shelf for this guitar!

Invalid Link Removed

Who in the world is buying them and where do they live? ;-) I have never seen another 900mm contra guitar.

Anyway, here are some pictures of it, and a couple of videos by a pro after that:

View attachment 3088722

View attachment 3088721
View attachment 3088723

Here is the same guitar being played by Peter Constant, a very talented guitarist who studied with Ben Verdery, chair of the guitar department at Yale. Peter is part of Z.o.o. Duo, a guitar duo/orchestra that uses a wonderful mix of different scale guitars on their recordings. You can find them on YouTube.



and



I'm not sure I'll every be able to play it like Peter does, but maybe with enough practice, I can make some music with this monster. For now, I'm hoping to play some simple bass lines in an ensemble, say a trio or a quartet. Wish me luck.

Interesting. Where did you find this and how much dinero was it?

 

[bholder]

I listened to your sound clip, cool playing! There is just something about the bass which is so alluring.

Thanks! I'm no classical player, yet, maybe I'll have the time to study properly after I retire. In the meantime, just having fun hacking around... And yes, I love the sound of these, the tone is more fundamental-heavy than most other ABGs.

 

[ContraGuitar]

Interesting. Where did you find this and how much dinero was it?

Mucho dinero, but, hey, it's cheaper than paying for bass or cello lessons. ;-) The luthier who built this contra guitar is named Jeroen Hilhorst and he lives in The Netherlands.

More information about the guitar can be found here:

Link Removed

I'm sure you can find the price, but, please don't post it, you'll just reinforce my opinion that I've gone completely mad. ;-) I've posted here to gain support in playing such a monster. Besides, I think this is a one of a kind instrument, and so am amazed that it even exists. I don't know if the luthier has built more than one, I don't think so.

Oh, the case is custom made by Bob Kingham in England. He's a great guy to work with, I recommend him highly. The luthier sent him drawings and plans for the contra guitar, and it fit perfectly. Bob's website is here: KINGHAM MTM CASES LTD.

A friend of mine, a talented classical guitar player, has arranged a bass part for a composition by Baden Powell, the Brazilian composer and guitarist, so I already have something to work on. He also wrote a cool bass intro which looks too difficult for me right now, but, hey, maybe I can get there in six months. Patience is the key.