Great basses you have played

And until you learn to love yourself, those images will never die.

 

Eighties Spector made by Stuart himself hand signed and numbered: Woodstock, NY.
It was *sweet*

 

20 years ago, I studied with Michael Moore at his old place in Greenwich Village. He had a half-dozen incredible instruments on a rack, and he always said, "Take your pick . . . "

 

You must know that at the time, Michael became separated from his wife. While he was on tour in Europe, his wife broke into his studio, took all his basses and sold them for a fraction of their worth.

 

Durrl and farmerdude:

Last time I was at CBC, Andy still had his bass. It was designed after a Prescott, but obviously with some ergonomic alterations. I think that he was planning on keeping the first one, but I know he has another one on the way.

In fact, last time I was there he was doing some work on my bass, so I got to go up to the living room and tool around on the "Stetson" for about an hour. Very playable and very even and very good sound. I am looking forward to seeing #2.

 

Hi,
A friend of mine OWNS Stu Hamm's old Kubicki X Factor! - I've played it a few times..... Sweet!!

 

To Whom It May Concern:
Just like the Forum title says, this is the Double Bass side.
We don't wander into the toybass side yakking about Panormo, Bergonzi, and Testore, do we?

 

This is something I think that I need: to play a very, very good DB for comparison's sake. I am pretty new to DB, and have only had the opportunity to play a few basses. I'd like to play and hear one that makes experienced DB'ists say "WOW".

Just so I'll know what I'm shootin' for!

 

I play everyday on a bass by Barrie Kolstein, his original Bernard Simon Fendt-model prototype. I had the privilege of playing the original it was copied from (and actually liked mine better). I've played a late 1500's Da Salo with (are you ready for this?) rounded guitar-like
corners. Despite the neck needing to be re-set, it's hands down the best bass I've ever played. The sound of that bass, even with the Helicore strings choking it to death, is beyond description. And I know another cat with a rather non-descript 19th century Czeck bass that I like that has a lot of power.

I've played many other fine basses but I'll only mention those, except to say that like chicks, they're all horny in their own special way.

Another possibly interesting thread might be basses you played and didn't care for, but as the saying goes, if you don't have anything nice to say, sometimes it's best to say nothing at all.

 

I've mentioned before that a long time ago Ron Carter let me play his bass. Very nice.

A friend was rooming with Buell Neidlinger when he was playing with Cecil Taylor. I played that bass. Buell also used it in the Houston Symphony

There's a book titled "Looking at the Double Bass," by Raymond Elgar. Page 94 shows a bass made by Jacope Lorenzelli. I have played that bass. Astonishing sound and feel. It's owned by a friend and former teacher.

Every time I'm in Arnold Schnitzer's shop, there are a couple of treasures laying around, e.g, three of Eugene Levinson's basses, or David Grossman's Panormo, etc., but my personal rule is if it's not for sale, don't touch it. I've played a few basses in the $50-60K range. There is a difference.

 

One of the nicest basses I played was Ray Drummond's French unlabeled. It sounded great even with those horrid LaBella strings. The best new bass I ever played was a Dan Hatchez in Albuquerque. It sounded like a fine old Italian bass and was beautiful also.

Monte

 

Oh...speaking of Charlie Haden's bass...that reminds me, I am probably the only player in all of TalkBass who has played Ed Fuqua's bass.

 

Ed's probably played it.

 

I thought I read somewhere that Kolstein's will occasionally let people play on Scott LaFaro's bass--anyone done that?

The only direction I have to go is straight up on this, as my poor Palatino is the only DB I've ever played. All I can say in comparison is, I like the sound better than either of my BGs.

If I'd been willing to drive into NH I could've picked up a 50s Kay for $1400 instead
::kicking myself::

 

Yeah, right! Barrie told me he was gonna let Eddie Gomez play it for the Scott Lafaro tribute concert last summer at the ISB convention, but decided not to. Do you think anyone else even stands a chance?

And on the subject of Fuqua's bass, it sounded to me like Don was saying that Ed doesn't even play his bass. Sounds like fightin' words to me.

 

Hi David

Just wondering why Kolstein choose not to
let the Faro be used ?
Eventually it will die from storage. Does anyone
ever play the bass ?
It would have created goodwill and publicity
and on top the bass itself would have "feelt good".

Just wondering...

Kind regards
Christian