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Double Bass Hybrid or Fully Carved Bass?

#21
I can't help but wonder what would happen if I had a fully carved LaScala set up exactly the same way and with the same strings, but that's $10K or so worth of experiment right there. I did play a carved LaScala at the Aebersold camps and it was beautiful, but it had lighter strings and lower string height, so when I went from the ply to the carved I preferred the power of the ply... but that was only the setup and strings talking. That carved bass was gorgeous.
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Hey, thanks Chris! I presume you are talking about my bass? Funny that you thought that the string height was low, because while I was perfectly used to it, my luthier, Jed Kriegel asked, "Why are your strings so high?" Then he lowered them a little more. This is coming in handy as I am moving into thumb position now...

Coincidentally, I am shopping around for a ply bass now, primarily for those environmentally challenging situations. The problem now is that since I have grown used to (and love) the sound of my fully carved bass, none of the plywood basses sound all that interesting to me. I will have to check out your bass again this July since it is its ply twin. Although, as you said, the set up is different...

I find the tuning of my bass does change with humidity, but once I get it in tune, it stays there. If the humidity doesn't change, it will stay in tune for a very long time. I don't know whether this is a function of the stability of the wood or the Sloane tuners, or both.

So now I am debating, as the OP is:

ply vs hybrid (for bad environments) OR just stick with the one bass I know and love.
 
#22
Leeners said:
ply vs hybrid (for bad environments) OR just stick with the one bass I know and love.
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I think there's way too much worrying on this board about playing carved basses outside and in clubs, etc. My experience with my bass over almost 35 years of constant gigging in all sorts of environments tells me not to worry about it, as I've had very little trouble over the years. A good bass will hold up well, IMO!
 
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#23
Leeners said:
Hey, thanks Chris! I presume you are talking about my bass? Funny that you thought that the string height was low, because while I was perfectly used to it, my luthier, Jed Kriegel asked, "Why are your strings so high?" Then he lowered them a little more. This is coming in handy as I am moving into thumb position now...
Click to expand...

Yes, the string height thing is all about taste. I still like the "pop" and focus of the higher height/tension, but everyone has their own vibe that works for them. The lower the strings go for me, the more out of tune I get.

I'll try to make sure to have the ply around again this year. You know where to find me!
 
#24
I would offer the idea (that has been discussed many times before) that it is not just "carved vs. hybrid." Some of the least expensive carved basses are "heavily wooded" and/or cheesily built, so they don't have the performance characteristics of better carved instruments. An inexpensive carved bass can have all the disadvantages of a solid wood instrument (climatic sensitivity, physical vulnerability, etc.) and none of the advantages.

In my opinion, a well-engineered and well-built hybrid is a decent bet, especially for jazz. Stick a pickup on it, and/or mic, and go...

I agree with Leeners; once the bass is in tune, I notice no difference in the ability to hold tuning. The change happens as temperature and humidity vary, but that is also true with a hybrid bass.
 
#25
Eric Swanson said:
I would offer the idea (that has been discussed many times before) that it is not just "carved vs. hybrid." Some of the least expensive carved basses are "heavily wooded" and/or cheesily built, so they don't have the performance characteristics of better carved instruments. An inexpensive carved bass can have all the disadvantages of a solid wood instrument (climatic sensitivity, physical vulnerability, etc.) and none of the advantages.

In my opinion, a well-engineered and well-built hybrid is a decent bet, especially for jazz. Stick a pickup on it, and/or mic, and go...

I agree with Leeners; once the bass is in tune, I notice no difference in the ability to hold tuning. The change happens as temperature and humidity vary, but that is also true with a hybrid bass.
Click to expand...

Indeed, as has been said before... :)
 
#26
I can appreciate this thread, as a similar one helped me make my very recent buying decision. The concensus seems to be, that if you have under $3000, or maybe even $5000 to spend on a fully carved bass, then you should probably stick with a hybrid. This makes sense, as my first bass was a Romanian carved that was very quiet and didn't project at all. I have recently come across a local luthier who will build hybrid basses (similar to Christopher or kohr basses) in the $2500 to $3000 range. Since $3000 was the tippy top of my budget, I decided this was the way to go, even though I could get several ready made bulgarian or romanian carved ones for $3000. I think that saving money on the ply back and sides allows more of the budget to go into a high quality fingerboard, bridge, tuners, and a better top.
I have been quite impressed with the hybrid Shens (under impressed with the ply shens) .
My conclusion was that hybrid is THE way to go unless you can really pony up the cash. I'll find out for sure when my new bass in done (about 3 weeks out!) and I'll post a review and some other opinions.
 
#27
Wow, I started this thread nearly 10 years ago - what a blast from the past (loved the zombie pic!). For an update, I ended up buying a Strunal hybrid - and it's served me well all these years.

It sounds fine when I play it. But I remember Dave Young playing it in 2003 and for some reason, it sounded exceptionally amazing that day. Just goes to show you....
 
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#28
Strunals have been dramatically improved during the last decade. Some of their hybrids are very good, resonant basses, with an exceptional structural integrity. Their arco sound is warm and loud, but their strong point is the pizz sound. I own a 5/21 hybrid for a year and it serves me perfectly, either in gigs during damp nights by the sea or under the merciless Greek sun. Its retail price in Greece is around $2700, offering a good value for money.
Mike
 
#30
Just as another add on this rather old thread. I've played a "Hybrid" Mirecourt Bass all my life. Mine has a carved top and maple sides, with a maple faced laminate back. It sounds great. The only issue with

laminate basses, is their resale value, but I'm not selling mine and it's a 5/8ths size that's perfectly suited to my hands.

Mirecourt Bass with Ehrlund EAP.jpg
 
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