Double Bass Naughty top

[lorianb]

Or should I say knotty top. I don't know enough about DB's to know whether this is an issue or not but I was getting acquainted with a hybrid - a christopher - and notices 2 blemishes that turned to be knotty imperfections about the size of a silver dollar (or loonie eh). Not knots per say but maybe the starting root of a branch. Is this familiar/normal/expected in a carved top?

Sorry I have no pictures.

It's a beautiful instrument and sounds great to these obviously untrained ears.

 

[Bin Son of Bin]

Heya!

Liked I mentioned in a private PM, I saw that bass as well and tried it.

So you liked it eh? Good. It is gorgeous looking. I found the sound not as robust as I had hoped but it felt good.

 

[eerbrev]

as long as it's structurally sound I wouldn't worry. A lot old basses, especially really old basses (18th ce and backwards) have flaws in the top wood because that was the wood that they could get that was the appropriate size.

I can't find a picture online, but I have a picture from the Strad of an Amati Brothers violoncello that's got a giant knot in the upper left hand bout.

eerbrev

 

[lorianb]

Good to know - thanks to you both.

 

[lorianb]

Eer - are you an Ottawa guy as well? Seems like there's a bunch of us on TB.

 

[eerbrev]

Eer - are you an Ottawa guy as well? Seems like there's a bunch of us on TB.

I am indeed. just finishing up my final semester at uOttawa, working on applying for masters degrees.

 

[DHoss]

This 30 year old Italian Bass on Ken Smith's site proudly shows Knots in the Slab Cut Italian Pine top:

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Wow.

 

[Violen]

I have always lusted after that bass.

 

[lorianb]

Outstanding!

 

[Rob Thompson]

The Guarneri del Gesu in the collection of the Minnesota orchestra has a slab cut top with a couple knotty spots. And it's up there among the most valuable instruments in the world. Sounds pretty decent too...

 

[powerbass]

Maybe knotty pine is the new preferred tone wood?

 

[Nathan Levine]

I have always lusted after that bass.

+1 to that.

 

[Jason Sypher]

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[Violen]

Jason, can we get a full view of your bass? I want to covet it too.

 

[Champagne]

This 30 year old Italian Bass on Ken Smith's site proudly shows Knots in the Slab Cut Italian Pine top:

That bass sounds wonderful too. I just heard it a week ago and Ken is a very good player, so that may have had something to do with it too.

 

[Kai Sanchez]