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Double Bass Framus spotting in the wild!

E

Ed S

Nov 14, 2019
1,983
3,032
#1
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Was at a banjo camp over the weekend and spotted this beast. Thought you'd enjoy seeing it! (That's my friend in the photos, not me.)
 
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#7
That's a great-looking Framus. My Framus is a half-size, and the most notable thing about it is that I found it in a pawn shop in Talladega, Alabama (!). Initial asking price was just shy of $1800. I had to monitor that thing for a year and a half, keeping tabs on the price drops, until finally I was able to snag it for $475.
 
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#10
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
Framus sold some carved basses as well, although according to Roland Wilfer, they were made by a contractor. This one makes me happy, and puts the dog to sleep. I’ve never actually seen a cutaway in the wild, but have always thought they looked interesting.
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Good looking bass.

Even better looking dog.
 
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#11
Oh yeah - the Framus had spiros w/ INCREDIBLY low action. For me, it was close to unplayable. I basically put it down pretty quickly, rather than really exploring it. But of what I did play, I didn't hear any sound I liked.

I wonder what is the best playability/sound that could be coaxed out of that bass with a setup I liked...
 
#12
Ed S said:
Oh yeah - the Framus had spiros w/ INCREDIBLY low action. For me, it was close to unplayable. I basically put it down pretty quickly, rather than really exploring it. But of what I did play, I didn't hear any sound I liked.

I wonder what is the best playability/sound that could be coaxed out of that bass with a setup I liked...
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Setting up a bass is a bit of a three legged stool thing:
-Bass……. Every instrument has its own character
-Setup….. Geometry. How much scoop is in the fingerboard? Is it true? Flatter boards require perfection. Nut and bridge height? Soundpost etc……
-Strings……some basses don’t agree with Spirocores but to an extent, if the setup is done well, they will reveal the character of the bass. For that reason, I put them on most basses to see what a particular bass could do. If there are wolf tones or other problems and those are dealt with the the extent possible yet problems remain, then I recommend using different strings.

The late Paul Warburton recommended putting Spirocore Mittels (reds) on any bass before considering purchase and I think that’s good advice. Just yesterday, a friend who has been subbing with the Cleveland Orchestra told me that most of the players use either Spirocore Weichs or Bel Cantos.. Dark basses get Spirocores, bright basses get Bel Cantos.

I’ve got Reds on my carved Framus and probably won’t change.

All that said, they can be great on a plywood bass and maybe the bridge just needed to be higher.
 
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#14
TroyK said:
Good eye on that cartridge!

Why don't we have a home audio thread here? We can't be the only ones.
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I’m with you on that so see how to do it. It’s a bit strange that most musicians I know either have no audio system or a poor one. I understand that no system can adequately convey an illusion of live music but I enjoy the pursuit. I enjoy exploring new music and want to enjoy the listening experience as well.
 
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#16

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