I’m curious about the evolution of the mechanical C extension machines-Horst, Stenholm, the “Rochester” variation, etc. Any info would be appreciated.
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Double Bass Mechanical extension history
- Thread starter SAlcott
- Start date
Oscar Zimmerman had something to do with it. That's all I know.
Thanks, Jimmy-I'm familiar with the contents of that article; what I'm looking for is the development and design differences as stated in the original post. I'd be interested in the development of the "English" version as well.
Thomas Martin might be your guy to get in contact with (at least for the history of the Fawcett extension).
There are a few pages about the history of the extension in Paul Brun's book, if you have access to that.
FYI - the image below (from the Jason Heath blog, linked above), is not a drawing of a Stenholm, it is a Horst. You can see small portions of the "return lever springs" (as I call them) in the drawing, and the E lock/unlock lever is the Horst design, as well.
The Horst seems to have been something of a Poor Man's Stenholm, as it was cheaper and not as nicely finished, (I'm being polite), and a bit clumsy (see "return lever springs" - the Stenholm had elegant "internal" springs that returned the lever to the open position.) FYI - I was, and remain, a Poor Man.
I had one on my Juzek throughout the 90's, as I was involved in the LA freelance studio scene, and it was assumed that you had either a 5-er or a 4 with an extension.
(The Horst has since been banished to the Island/Drawer of Unwanted Gear.)
Thanks,
Here is a Stenholm:
Here is a Horst:
The Horst seems to have been something of a Poor Man's Stenholm, as it was cheaper and not as nicely finished, (I'm being polite), and a bit clumsy (see "return lever springs" - the Stenholm had elegant "internal" springs that returned the lever to the open position.) FYI - I was, and remain, a Poor Man.
I had one on my Juzek throughout the 90's, as I was involved in the LA freelance studio scene, and it was assumed that you had either a 5-er or a 4 with an extension.
(The Horst has since been banished to the Island/Drawer of Unwanted Gear.)
Thanks,
Here is a Stenholm:
Here is a Horst:
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As I understand it, Stenholm eliminated the "return lever springs" and the clumsy closing mechanism of the Horst, which seems to have been around since the 30s..
Google Image Result for http://www.billbentgen.com/bass/images/philadelphia_basses.jpg
Google Image Result for http://www.billbentgen.com/bass/images/philadelphia_basses.jpg
Add a 5 lb barbell to your neck and then chop out a section of the scroll....old school....
Yeah! C'mon... Have a little respect for the instrument!!!Add a 5 lb barbell to your neck and then chop out a section of the scroll....old school....
