Double Bass Kolstein Travel Bass

[Jason Hollar]

To my previous statement about being as loud as a good ABG, I meant that when played politely - as in apartment level practice mode.

Upon digging in the bass really opens up and you can feel a good fundamental especially off the back of the instrument.

And it seems to amplify robustly, hopefully with a decent feedback resistance- although that remains to be tested in the wild.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I used Velcro to attach my fdeck to the back of the tailpiece and use a short cable used on pedal boards to connect the pickup to the fdeck.

As to how to play comfortably it has become second nature. I find if I am using the bow and want good access to the E string. I sit down and angle it away more like a cello player.

 

[Jason Hollar]

First run through of the coupla EZ Bach cello suites that I’ve been thumpin on ... definitely kinder on the left hand.

Also first attempt in a while at sitting to play - I can see the advantages here as well.

At least I’ll have this to work on during the impending “social distancing” and self-imposed quarantine.

 

[Jason Hollar]

So, let’s talk strings for this thing. The Kolstein Heritage are interesting. Plenty bright, lots of “Boing” in the tone but that should settle down. Anyone still using these?

I know @conte2music boldly uses guts on his!

I do have a new set of 3/4 weichs which could be interesting to try...

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

@Jason Hollar Strings were a tough one for me because I'm a fan of higher string tension at a medium string height (6-9 or 7-10mm, G-E). I ended up with Spiro mittels, the 3885 set. Nothing will ever make me as happy as Dominants, but they aren't an option for a travel bass.

 

[Jason Hollar]

@Chris Fitzgerald - thanks for the info.

That’s good to know spiro mittels could be a good fit.

Mine came set up with what I’d consider a “medium low” action ... G, D, A all around 7mm (if measured to “bottom” of string, and E at 5mm. I’m tempted to lower everything by a quarter turn just to hear how it affects the overall volume. The Heritage strings are a good bit thicker and lower tension than the weichs which is kind of fun.

Just played my Upton with Weichs ... man my action is considerably lower and the volume is tremendous. Makes me appreciate what I’ve got in this humble “student model” Hawkes hybrid. I’m waiting for the humid spring weather to hike up the action a bit.

 

[Chris Symer]

Being in 5ths my string choices are somewhat more limited, between that and my kolstein being the removable neck version it’s pretty much Spiros for me. I’ve messed around with some other mixes of things, Spiros on bottom various others on top, but that bass sounds and plays best with Spiros all across. They also settle really quickly after putting it back together. After about 10 mins under tension it is stable and ready to gig. Currently I have weichs on it, it took a little getting used to but I am liking it a lot. Although the mittles were good also. Honestly don’t know which I prefer on mine.....

 

[peterpalmieri]

I tried spiros for a time and ended up back with heritage. I found a relatively high string height has a significantly better tone. You can go super low but I find the tone suffered.

being local to the shop I’ve had the advantage to really get it dialed in over time.

 

[Jason Hollar]

I tried spiros for a time and ended up back with heritage. I found a relatively high string height has a significantly better tone. You can go super low but I find the tone suffered.

being local to the shop I’ve had the advantage to really get it dialed in over time.

I’m liking the tension and size of the Heritage strings ... just finding them a little rough feeling ... like how the wrap or windings fit together. Do these things smooth out over time?

 

[peterpalmieri]

Jason, I'm not sure I have good answer for you, while I've tried and used other strings. I sold my carved bass that was strung with Belcanto's around 2012, it's been a couple years since I had the spires on. I've used Kolstein strings on and off since I was in college 92-96 so they feel pretty normal to me

 

[Jason Hollar]

So after two weeks of getting accustomed to the bass, the windings on the D string seem to have separated a bit causing a rough spot. Enough of that - on with the spare set of 3885 weichs.

Although I liked the tension and feel of the Heritage, I did not like the boingy sound, the ruff texture, and the constant tuning. The 3/4 Spiros are a bit stiffer than I expected but the sound and feel are good to go.

Everybody please stay home for a few weeks so we all have some gigs to get back to this summer. The whole point of buying this dang “travel” bass was to take it out of the house!

 

[Chris Symer]

Hey Jason, at least you can PLAY the bass. I had ordered a new hard case for mine 2 months ago for travel over the summer. Talk about bad timing. None of those gigs are happening, the case wasn’t cheap, and now it is just sitting here making me feel stupid.

 

[damonsmith]

Hey Jason, at least you can PLAY the bass. I had ordered a new hard case for mine 2 months ago for travel over the summer. Talk about bad timing. None of those gigs are happening, the case wasn’t cheap, and now it is just sitting here making me feel stupid.

My Chadwick sat quite a while before I needed, but, when I needed it, I really did! You will be very glad to have it in the future!

 

[Jason Hollar]

anyone use the curved bout extender or have one they wanna get rid of one? I mostly stand and I’m missing the distance/lean-in factor.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

View attachment 3775321
anyone use the curved bout extender or have one they wanna get rid of one? I mostly stand and I’m missing the distance/lean-in factor.

I didn't get one with the bass and Barrie told me that in his opinion almost no one uses them, but I can see why they were included in the design and why they might be useful. As a seated player, I find the lack of depth unsettling and have considered designing something that would screw into those holes and then wrap around the back to rest on my belly where I am used to gauging the rest of my motions from.

 

[Jason Hollar]

Barrie said they used to make wood ones but it was cost prohibitive. He showed me a fiberglass extension and said more would eventually be ordered. It was light & sturdy so maybe I should get on the list.

 

[peterpalmieri]

Some awkward photos but I think you get the point. I’ve learned to play seated after years of standing.

since carrying the perfect size stool defeats the purpose, I’ve also learned to sit (not ideally) in a standard size restaurant chair if needed. My knees keep the bass far enough from my body for proper left arm technique and my right leg does not interfere with bowing the E string

 

[Jason Hollar]

Hey Peter- thanks for the photos- that’s an interesting technique!

 

[hensonbass]

I have a Marvin Tailpiece that was custom made for the Kolstein Travel bass I would like to sell..PM me if interested.

 

[Jason Hollar]

So I’ve had the bass about 4 months now. Still no gig bag... too bad because I could’ve used it on a recent travel gig. No bother.

So a question for the intelligencia ... after changing over to my older set of Weichs, the G string still feels like it’s got a tremendous amount of tension. Very uncomfortable to play in half position. The D string is half as bad. The A & E are ok.

Does this sound like a sound post issue? Or a scale length / string tension issue? I guess I could try a lighter gauge Spiro on the G, but what’s left ... a Solo? I could try swapping out the G & D with some Obligatos I still have, but last time I tried them, they felt like they were rollin’....