I am thinking seriously about having a 5 string neck made for this contrabasetto. I think Andrea can do it and have it final fitted here...Another advantage of the neck off design. I AM having a new bridge made with adjusters mostly to put a adjuster pickup in there but also I suspect that with the combination of bridge adjustment, overstand adjustments and tail wire adjustment the bass can be dialed in just right....for example this week I made the tail wire shorter (on my big bass this adjustment opened up the instrument some) on the Contrabassetto it freed up the A string to vibrate more fully which changed the emphasis from the octave harmonic (which was bugging me a bit especially with the bow) more to the fundamental. Evened things out a bit...But I can see that depending on the strings, having all of these adjustments available puts a lot of power into my hands to get my sound. With my big bass I am entirely dependent on a Luthier and the adjustments can only be made occasionally...
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Double Bass Contrabassetto from the ground up
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I don't know Piro. I've gotten my hands on a few different types of 5ers now and I certainly agree with the advice that it's far better with basses designed specifically to be a 5er. The bassbar needs to get reinforced for a 5er is probably the bigger thing here, and the bass top might need to be thicker to support the added tension. Coverting a specially built 5er to a 4 string is likely to sound more tubby than a specifically built 4.
Considering the amount of money needed to get a CB or a Kolstein Travel bass built, I think it's just easier (and prob more practical) to commission a new bass as a 5er and compare the two. Once you're done you can figure out which to sell (or keep both). ATM I'm considering more the idea of finding a 5er EUB and keeping my old 4 string Cleveland.
Gael reminded me this week that my preference for the way an E plays on a 5 could be simply because of the ergonomics and the angle in which I pulled the string because the E sits further away from the hand. If I focused on a bigger sideways pull on a 4 string, then the bigger sound comes through.
Food for thought.
Considering the amount of money needed to get a CB or a Kolstein Travel bass built, I think it's just easier (and prob more practical) to commission a new bass as a 5er and compare the two. Once you're done you can figure out which to sell (or keep both). ATM I'm considering more the idea of finding a 5er EUB and keeping my old 4 string Cleveland.
Gael reminded me this week that my preference for the way an E plays on a 5 could be simply because of the ergonomics and the angle in which I pulled the string because the E sits further away from the hand. If I focused on a bigger sideways pull on a 4 string, then the bigger sound comes through.
Food for thought.
Yes to all of that, BUT I am thinking of having a high C 5th string....OK I know that makes it a guitar, but the top end of the COntrabassetto is so resonant and full that I think it would sound pretty good to have that RGF thing happening.
Huy it is your fault that I am even considering a 5th string. I didnt even have it on my radar before talking to you at the gig the other day...so I will send you a bill one way or another....
Huy it is your fault that I am even considering a 5th string. I didnt even have it on my radar before talking to you at the gig the other day...so I will send you a bill one way or another....
LOL. I know, which is why I had to chime in. 
High C would be interesting - not my thing but makes me think of Steve Swallow and how he uses a high C on his electrics. It's still going to be more tension tho.
High C would be interesting - not my thing but makes me think of Steve Swallow and how he uses a high C on his electrics. It's still going to be more tension tho.
I'm going the other way with the Golia with the 3 string neck finally getting finished and fitted in the next few weeks. With a low G and a high A the intervallic spread is only a half step different than a regular 4ths tuned four string. With that said, the 1/2 size Juzek I use tuned in Bassetto tuning (low G to high E) is wildly fun to play. It really cuts through!
I'd go Ron Carter piccolo tuning on that instrument before re-engineering it to accept the added load of 25% more string tension. It's a major undertaking.
diddy, I have a Merchant fiver that gets played every tenth of never since I retired from bar gigs.
diddy, I have a Merchant fiver that gets played every tenth of never since I retired from bar gigs.
How is it going with your Contrabasetto?
Are you using it for all your gigs?
I have an eminence but found it unuseful for concerts and also a bit difficult to balance, but if this "bass" sounds as good as you say....
Are you using it for all your gigs?
I have an eminence but found it unuseful for concerts and also a bit difficult to balance, but if this "bass" sounds as good as you say....
Yeah Man I use it for most of my gigs and I love it. It sounds great with the Ischell contact mic. I love the way it balances I love the sound . It is brighter then my very dark older bass and I am getting used to how it intonates (there are different higher harmonics present) but I have no complaints. It is a real bass NOT an Eminence, more akin to the Kolstein Lafaro I think.(but I am not sure if that is carved or not) I discovered that if I put a wolf tone eliminator on the G string it is great for mellowing out any over brightness. I know Andrea is making full size basses this year and he prolly has a year or two (now) wait but it is totally worth it, I honestly think that once a few more cats experience this kind of instrument, we are going to see (we already are) basses getting smaller and better and designed for the job they are doing (playing pizz in jazz) I think Andrea is making killing instruments and I treasure mine. ALso Like I said before I play it everywhere, I practice all the time with it, in any corner or park or whatever, I just take it with me. Acoustically it has a big sound for how small it is and amplified you cannot tell that it is not a normal 3/4 instrument. It continues to open up and gain resonance too.
Wow, sounds perfect! If I can get my old German sold I guess I'll get one.
Thanks for the reply!
Please keep us updated if you have any new experiences!
Thanks for the reply!
Please keep us updated if you have any new experiences!
Brace yourselves - the (only) benefit in selling off larger basses after my surgery is the pleasure of exploring makers of smaller instruments (as long as we have enough left over to remodel the kitchen, the significant other is on board)
Andrea is making a 5/8ths cornerless bass. Due in September. Photos attached.
Louis
Andrea is making a 5/8ths cornerless bass. Due in September. Photos attached.
Louis
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I hoping Andrea will bring the bass up himself. I'd be happy to introduce him to some of the LA/SF area dealers. If I'm up there, I'll let you know. Thanks
Best,
Louis
Best,
Louis
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