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Double Bass Free DoubleBass Moulds

B

Bob Branstetter

Feb 7, 2002
2,110
19
85
Stanley, KS (Kansas City)
#1
While doing our fall house cleaning, I rediscovered two outside bass moulds in the attic that were originally used in the Rodier Brothers Violin School and Shop/Factory up until the 1950s to make their (7/8 size) basses. If anyone would be interested in having one or both of the moulds, please send me a PM or email message. These are big and heavy, so shipping is out of the question. I live in a suburb of Kansas City, so you would have to live within a reasonable distance from KC to pick them up. I don't have any photos available now, but for a serious inquiry, I could probably manage to get a shot of them. I also have some other Rodier parts that I would consider giving to the person(s) who takes the moulds. I also have a full size Rodier outside cello mould available.
 
#2
Bob,
That is a very tempting offer as I have thought of making a bass in the future. Unfortunately, I don't presently have a shop and the dream seems to be distant.

It is also unlikely that a bass I made on the same mould as the one you owned would be quite as nice.;)
 
#7
damn, im 15 and currently building uprights in my basement, this would have been perfect if I had the money to take a trip to kansas city, *sigh* ill get my company off the ground one day, one day...rick if your ever in the nj area and decide youd like to give them to someone, i wouldnt mind
 
#8
jimmyduded said:
damn, im 15 and currently building uprights in my basement, this would have been perfect if I had the money to take a trip to kansas city, *sigh* ill get my company off the ground one day, one day...rick if your ever in the nj area and decide youd like to give them to someone, i wouldnt mind
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Making your own moulds is part of the fun when making a bass. Why don't you post some photos of the basses you are making in your basement?
 
#10
i have to start assembly, but im going to post pictures when that starts, if you could get of a mold for me, id be very grateful due to the fact im having trouble with the overall design of one and it would help me figue out how i should make it, I cant believe you had it in your attic! lucky
 
#11
jimmyduded said:
i have to start assembly, but im going to post pictures when that starts, if you could get of a mold for me, id be very grateful due to the fact im having trouble with the overall design of one and it would help me figue out how i should make it, I cant believe you had it in your attic! lucky
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I think if you had these molds you would be worse off than if you started from scratch. to be usefull they would need to be restored completely. unless you are planning on making many of the same model I think an inside form is probably the best way to go, the blocks are attached to the form and the ribs bent and affixed to the blocks preferably using a counter form to get uniform pressure through out the block to rib joint. I have a couple inside forms I can take a picture of and send to you if you like. I will also take some pictures of the molds I got from Bob.

Since we (K. C. Strings) and Rodier Bros. are both K.C. based about 50 years apart, and since they made and we make violin, viola, cello and bass, I thought it appropriate that we find a way to display the Rodier Bros. forms for the 100 or so folks a month who tour our humble shop. The welcom mat is out though, any one trundleing down I 35 through KC is welcom to stop in and see the place.
 
#13
jimmyduded said:
i have to start assembly, but im going to post pictures when that starts, if you could get of a mold for me, id be very grateful due to the fact im having trouble with the overall design of one and it would help me figue out how i should make it, I cant believe you had it in your attic! lucky
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There's no such thing as a universal mould that will work with any design. Making the mould is one of the first things that you construct after completing the design phase. Without a matching pattern, the mould is useless.

There was nothing lucky about me having those moulds in my attic. They originally came from the Rodier Brothers Violin School and shop which closed in the 1950s. In about 1970, my late mentor (who was a world class master violin maker) bought the contents of a barn (in Kentucky) where the remaining tools and wood had been stored since the shop closed. After working in his violin shop for several years, I bought part of the wood for $1,000 and the moulds were thrown in the deal mainly because they were taking up too much space in his shop. I kept them for over 30 years with the thought that I might want to make a bass from that very large 7/8 size pattern. I eventually decided that it was simpler to make my own inside mould rather than trying to make use of these old, heavy outside moulds.

If you really want to build a bass someday, I recommend that you start small by building a violin. The cost of the tonewood required for a violin is only a small fraction of the cost of the tonewood required for a bass and everything you learn from building a violin will be used when you actually build your bass. Good tonewood for a bass is VERY expensive and it's very easy to ruin if you don't know what you are doing before you start. There are several experienced professional and amatuer bass builders who regularly contribute to this site and if you use the search facility you can find the answers to most beginner questions. There are a few books on the subject which can help you get you started correctly. You can use search to get the names and sources for these books. Good luck. Building a bass is something that a lot of people talk about doing, but one that very few actually finish.
 
#14
i have already carved my top and back, sides will be bent monday, and then its just waiting for my hide glue and clamps to arrive, I work as an apprentice for a luthier and so far it would seem the difficult parts are to come, but as it arrives im sure ill post questions on here, i dont think my own instrument could outplay my juzek, but im going to make it the best i can
 
#15
jimmyduded said:
i have already carved my top and back, sides will be bent monday, and then its just waiting for my hide glue and clamps to arrive, I work as an apprentice for a luthier and so far it would seem the difficult parts are to come, but as it arrives im sure ill post questions on here, i dont think my own instrument could outplay my juzek, but im going to make it the best i can
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That puts a different picture on things. May I suggest that you fill out your profile so we will know a little bit more about you. You will find that the folks around here are very helpful, but the more we know about you the better we can offer useful suggestions.
 
#17
jimmyduded said:
i have already carved my top and back, sides will be bent monday, and then its just waiting for my hide glue and clamps to arrive, I work as an apprentice for a luthier and so far it would seem the difficult parts are to come, but as it arrives im sure ill post questions on here, i dont think my own instrument could outplay my juzek, but im going to make it the best i can
Click to expand...
As I re-read your post, I notice some very large inconsistencies with normal bass (or any violin family instrument) building practices. Is the luthier who is teaching you trained in making violin family instruments? It makes no sense to begin bending the ribs if you don't have the mould and interior blocks completed.
 

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