Double Bass Kolstein busetto bass or another 3/4

[jd435]

Hello there TBer's I'm new around here and wanted some opinions. I mostly play rockabilly/ psychobilly and some swing. I'm currently debating whether I should get a kolstein busetto travel bass or another 3/4 size bass. I don't travel much but when I do, the bass is a bit of a hassle and granted I am on the shorter side height wise. Of course my do love my 3/4 as it is my first one but I'm debating whether to get a travel one or another regular 3/4. Currently I'm in between bands so I would say something I can mostly travel with. I've seen a couple of videos of lee rocker using a kolstein but he also uses his 3/4 too so that's where I'm stuck at. With my current set up I use an under the fingerboard pickup and a magnetic pickup to sound like an "electric bass" like Scott Owen from the living end. Thank you

 

[Eric Hochberg]

You might want to consult your bandmates about the look of a small travel bass. Not exactly
an authentic RBilly vibe. The Kolstein is a really nice instrument and is/was available with
removeable neck for even more portability. Find one already built that you can take with you
rather than plunking down the money for a future build.

You could get a 3/4 with removeable neck that will fit in a smaller case or have your current bass converted.
Then you've got the look and feel you're used to. Or a used Chadwick.
Not as small as a Kolstein package, but manageable.

 

[jd435]

Hi Eric thank you for your reply and currently I'm in between bands so I would say something I can mostly travel with. I've seen a couple of videos of lee rocker using a kolstein but he also uses his 3/4 too so that's where I'm stuck at. With my current set up I use an under the fingerboard pickup and a magnetic pickup to sound like an "electric bass".

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Hi Eric thank you for your reply and currently I'm in between bands so I would say something I can mostly travel with. I've seen a couple of videos of lee rocker using a kolstein but he also uses his 3/4 too so that's where I'm stuck at. With my current set up I use an under the fingerboard pickup and a magnetic pickup to sound like an "electric bass".

The Kolstein takes some getting used to so I'd try it first before buying, if possible.

 

[jd435]

Is it more difficult or easier

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Is it more difficult or easier

It's a balancing challenge with the skinny bouts. I'd gotten pretty used to it after a few months
when I made this video.

 

[jd435]

This sounds amazing and I see what you mean about the balancing. I will try it out and decide thank you so much

 

[damonsmith]

It is probably the wrong tool for this job. Lee Rocker is a celebrity and likely has multiple instruments. A plywood Chadwick is probably best and will be about half the cost with the case included.

 

[jd435]

Hello there Damon thank you for the reply and I see your point. So far I have not found any Chadwick's in my area although they do look nice and the folding mechanism is genius and I would like to try one.

 

[damonsmith]

Hello there Damon thank you for the reply and I see your point. So far I have not found any Chadwick's in my area although they do look nice and the folding mechanism is genius and I would like to try one.

It is just a very basic plywood bass, but it is super easy to travel with.

 

[Wasnex]

What's the budget, how loud do you need to play amped, and how important is acoustic tone.

Blast cult makes uprights that are designed to deal with high SPL environments. I wouldn't expect them to sound great acoustically. I think they are a bit over priced personally. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What about a 5/8 upright? I believe the body is usually pretty close to a smallish 3/4, but the mensure is usually 40" or less. AFAIK approximately 42" is generally the modern standard for a full-size bass.

 

[jd435]

It is just a very basic plywood bass, but it is super easy to travel with.

Thank you I'll look more into it

 

[jd435]

What's the budget, how loud do you need to play amped, and how important is acoustic tone.

Blast cult makes uprights that are designed to deal with high SPL environments. I wouldn't expect them to sound great acoustically. I think they are a bit over priced personally. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What about a 5/8 upright? I believe the body is usually pretty close to a smallish 3/4, but the mensure is usually 40" or less. AFAIK approximately 42" is generally the modern standard for a full-size bass.

Hello there wasnex thank you for the reply currently no budget this is more of an idea that will eventually be a reality. I usually play amped and pretty loud but I also do want a decent acoustic tone. I've seen some 5/8 sizes but wouldn't be the same thing if the next isn't removable?

 

[damonsmith]

What's the budget, how loud do you need to play amped, and how important is acoustic tone.

Blast cult makes uprights that are designed to deal with high SPL environments. I wouldn't expect them to sound great acoustically. I think they are a bit over priced personally. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What about a 5/8 upright? I believe the body is usually pretty close to a smallish 3/4, but the mensure is usually 40" or less. AFAIK approximately 42" is generally the modern standard for a full-size bass.

If you were in a spending mood the BC w/removable neck would be most correct tool for the job. As with the bussetto, you still have to buy a case.

 

[jd435]

Won't I have to buy a case regardless of which one and isn't blast cult based in the UK

 

[Wasnex]

I usually play amped and pretty loud but I also do want a decent acoustic tone.

Just keep in mind, the qualities that make a bass better acoustically can work against you if you need a lot of amplification.

 

[jd435]

That is true I didn't even think about that. So either way I might have to sacrifice tone.

 

[mdcbass]

It's a balancing challenge with the skinny bouts. I'd gotten pretty used to it after a few months
when I made this video.

Are you still playing that gig where you had to schlepp your bass to the stage in the center of a circular bar? Is that a little easier with the slim busetto?

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Are you still playing that gig where you had to schlepp your bass to the stage in the center of a circular bar? Is that a little easier with the slim busetto?

No, unforunately my gig at Catch 35 ended September 7 after 19 years as they decided to close. I didn't have to shlep anything as I left
my bass on stage. Of course, the Kolstein is easier to travel with than a 3/4 bass. Did you make it to Catch?

 

[Ric Vice]

I've owned my Kolstine Busetto Travel Bass with the removable neck for nearly 7years now. They are pretty Ideal for gigs, where you travel and compared to other basses of a similar size they, are pretty amazing for the amount of sound they produce. They have changed the design since
most of us bought ours. The bouts are deeper, they improved the detaching bolt, so it's now flush with the heel of the neck. If you decide to buy one
get it insured immediately! Mine had a wood flaw inside the base of the neck, it cracked right at the back of the heel. I won't get into the sorted details
around the attempt made to repair mine at a "out of town shop", by driving multiple wood screws into the neck, but the end result was that I had to have it replaced, with a high quality hard maple neck from Upton. It's been great ever since, thanks to local luthier Ted Moniack at Top Notch Strings, here in St. Louis.