Double Bass Figured scrolls, pinnacle of class or gaudy?

[Mark_T]

Just curious here, given James' comments on the negatives of excess weight in the scroll, extensions etc; is there an "advantage" to the Mirecourt see-through scroll, such as on the Colin-Mezzin basses (below). French basses can be a bit "nasally" - does the hollow scroll contribute to that??

Jeroen Bruynooghe - Luthier - Contrebasse/Double Bass Double bass Solo Mirecourt ca1920

jeroen-bass.com

I always wonder if it makes string changes easier

 

[groooooove]

I just picked up this lovely violone yesterday.

Historically, viols had more carved faces/etc than they did scroll shapes.

I find that this sort of suits them. violin family instruments look often awkward with faces, animal heads, dragons..

but viols seem very balanced visually, when adorned with creature on top.

the double bass being more or less a hybrid of the two, it should go either way. But i do prefer a violin style scroll on my basses.

as with anything, this often will come to a case-by-case basis.

 

[Gopherbassist]

So I've been thinking. Scrolls are called scrolls because they look like scrolls. Most of these alternatives seem to be beasties. Shouldn't they be called figure heads, and not scrolls?

 

[Ed Fuqua]

The Mingus bass is called the dragon head bass, so there’s that. The “sacred geometry” thing is the Fibonacci series, also known as the Golden Ratio.

I, too, was fascinated by the sound AND appearance of Glen Moore’s Klotz when I heard it live and my desire to own a bass with a lion’s head scroll started then. The only reason I continue to play my bass is because of the way it sounds.

 

[Don Hergert]

So I've been thinking. Scrolls are called scrolls because they look like scrolls. Most of these alternatives seem to be beasties. Shouldn't they be called figure heads, and not scrolls?

Hmmm. I thought "figure heads" were highly paid individuals who meet at expensive venues and accomplish nothing.

 

[JBarz]

The only only scroll like that I have ever been drawn to is on the full-ornament Pollmann's. They've always been on my wish list:Pöllmann Busetto Lion Head Double Bass

That kind of carving around the edges here is another impractical ornamental guilty pleasure of mine - is there a name for it?

 

[Mark_T]

I think it’s overall too easy for this kind of carving to turn out more goofy than awesome. My favorite basses are generally plainer.

 

[Don Kasper]

 

[kinopah]

i voted "pinnacle of class" with the caveat that they need to be well-executed. the Mingus bass, Paul Chambers bass, and several others look so cool and unique to me, but they can certainly veer into egregious territory which nullifies my vote. i do think they are a cool, unique addition where so many DBs look intentionally similar (compared to, for example, BGs).

 

[Ed Fuqua]

View attachment 7487324

“A noble instrument should be nobly regarded.” - Frederick Zimmerman

Alternately:
Oinkster Piggieford
Jon Boar
Pigsty Heath
Sow Jones
William Porker
Buddy Piglet


That’s all I got.

 

[Don Kasper]

Ham Stewart.
That's all I got.
Thx, Ed.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

How could I not have seen this?

Pork Chambers

 

[Don Kasper]

How could I not have seen this?

Pork Chambers

The same way I missed :
Neil Swineson
This might be all I got...

 

[Ed Fuqua]

The same way I missed :
Neil Swineson
This might all I got...

Also acceptable
Squeal Swineson
Or even more piggy
Squeal Swinesow

 

[JBarz]

Well done! It’s evident ya’ll watched just the right amount of muppets in days past.

Carry on. Pig puns are high art, imho.