Double Bass Five String Choices

[Silversorcerer]

I'm still very pleased with the 7/8 fiver that got last spring from Bob. It seems to be a very well built and good sounding instrument so far. I purchased it after hearing and seeing one of Bob's 3/4 five strings that a fellow had down in Savannah. He used it primarily for community orchestra.

I find the neck quite comfortable and not unusual in dimension for a five string.

George Hofer, a luthier in Savannah with considerable experience (he sold Edgar Meyer his Gabrielli bass) made some adjustmensts for that fellow, and Monday I will be letting him do some minor tweaks on mine, so he will have seen two of these. George is a retired symphony player has has built and repaired basses all his life. If you want his opinion, his number is 912 232 5832.

 

[Silversorcerer]

Here's a photo of mine for our new quasi-jazzadelic improv quartet, 5th Sunday. (it was Sunny that day.)

 

[Ashley Long]

Hey Silver nice pic!

Thanks so much for the help so far to everyone concerned! Im getting some really good perspectives on this situation. I would like to remind however, that the reason I am looking for a five-string is that Im dissatisfied with an extension and I need a five for the more avant-garde works I do where I have unusual tunings and chordal passages.

 

[kraid]

I too believe the 5 is needed for the faster low Passages. In Beeth 5th, the Ext is hard to use but managable with the fingered Ext. With the Brandenberg concertos the 5er is better than the Ext. In the Trout with only a few notes in the last movement the Ext. is better because the 5th string is there and in the way a bit for the entire piece when you only use the E string as the lowetst string most of the time.

There aren't any notes in the last movement of the Trout Quintet that go below the E. You might be thinking of the second movement where there's some octave Ds and Cs to deal with in the middle and the end.

 

[5stringDNA]

Been a little while since we've re-visted the 5-string thing. The more sheet stuff I play and the more classical I get into, the more I have wanted a 5-string B. I am quickly realizing that on DB, it is far more useful than a high-c, something Paul tried to tell me a year ago, haha. I still have a 4, but am extremely interested in a 5 for those extra low notes.
How many guys have played Christopher's 5 string models? I played a Chrissie hybrid 4 the other day and liked the tone quite a bit despite some buzz on the A string.

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

There aren't any notes in the last movement of the Trout Quintet that go below the E. You might be thinking of the second movement where there's some octave Ds and Cs to deal with in the middle and the end.

Ok, I believe you. I was quoting from memory and forgot where it was.. Sorry.. But, you get my meaning I hope. Which movement does not matter as much as how to play it when it comes up. Next time I play it I will use a Chromatic Extension. Third time's a charm!

 

[kraid]

Ok, I believe you. I was quoting from memory and forgot where it was.. Sorry.. But, you get my meaning I hope. Which movement does not matter as much as how to play it when it comes up. Next time I play it I will use a Chromatic Extension. Third time's a charm!

Even that passage would be difficult with a 5 string I think. I guess it's just the string crossing with that rhythm. With a chromatic extension is would be a breeze just to cross over two strings.

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Even that passage would be difficult with a 5 string I think. I guess it's just the string crossing with that rhythm. With a chromatic extension is would be a breeze just to cross over two strings.

Yes, it was not easy crossing 3 strings and just 2 would be easier. With the 5 you have to play cleaner as mine is tight and 1" spacing. With the Ext, you have to remember when to pre-set the keys/capos on the notes you will play.

 

[Pete G]

Ashley, you might want to touch base with Steve Koscica at Sting Emporium in Phoenix. He offered to get for me a five-string version of his well-received 3/4 Wan Bernadel bass, and it would be in your price range.

For somewhat more money, Barrie Kolstein's Fendt model in a five string configuration is terrific bass for the money. I got one in March of 2005, and I'm very happy with it.

 

[Silversorcerer]

Been a little while since we've re-visted the 5-string thing. The more sheet stuff I play and the more classical I get into, the more I have wanted a 5-string B. I am quickly realizing that on DB, it is far more useful than a high-c, something Paul tried to tell me a year ago, haha. I still have a 4, but am extremely interested in a 5 for those extra low notes.
How many guys have played Christopher's 5 string models? I played a Chrissie hybrid 4 the other day and liked the tone quite a bit despite some buzz on the A string.

I played one of the hybrid Christopher 7/8 5-string hybrids a few years ago. I almost bought it, in fact that was the first one I brought home. The sound was excellent to my ear, but I think my Bulgarian bass is very similar if not somewhat more even with a sweeter voice in the middle tones. I took the Chris back due to some delamination in the ribs. The problem was slight, but I'm glad I took it back. I'm pretty happy with what I have now in a fully carved bass at about the same price. Comparing the construction, the Bulgarian is better put together, particularly inside. The tuners are similar, the Chris benefits from a compensated tailpiece, the neck on the Chis has more figure in the maple, but is two pieces laminated, the Bulgarian is one piece with no flame. The ebony is similar on both and good quality if not the finest. I think the arch of the FB on the Chris was higher and the neck more like a big dowel. The FB and neck on the Bulgarian is flatter front to back and about the same width. I think if you find a well made Chris with no construction issues then it probably would be fine. The flamed laminate is pretty to look at, but it is paper thin. I think I'm becoming one of those "carved" people.