Ok, I stand corrected. I didn’t want to draw attention to the imperfections in an otherwise gorgeous instrument.
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Double Bass NDBD New Double Bass Day: Nick Lloyd #68
- Thread starter paul
- Start date
Really superb work!!There are scratches, scuffs, dents, dings... and nicks.
Congratulations on the new bass! I got to try a Nick Lloyd bass at the Bass Violin Shop a few months ago. It was a recent 3/4 sloped shoulder model (4 strings). It's the best sounding bass I've ever played. I wish that I could have bought it, but I'm a short guy with some shoulder limitations, and it was just too big for me. Yours is stunning, and I'm sure that it sounds just as amazing. I'm sure that you will love it.
@paul - Way to go, that is an incredible-looking instrument, and great to see you “talk bass” — I think you’ve earned it!!
@nicklloyd - Mind if I ask if you set up Mark Dresser’s bass with a “Giffus” pickup at the nut? Seeing him play both sides of the string was really mind-bending, same when I’ve seen Fred Frith with a similar setup on guitar.
@nicklloyd - Mind if I ask if you set up Mark Dresser’s bass with a “Giffus” pickup at the nut? Seeing him play both sides of the string was really mind-bending, same when I’ve seen Fred Frith with a similar setup on guitar.
Paul and Nick, love what ya’ll came up with. If you don’t mind, a couple nerd questions come to mind…
I love body shape of this axe - is there a traditional name for it?
This is pretty close to my fantasy instrument except minus the extension. I can’t tell - is it a bigger 7/8 ish size body? What scale length did ya’ll settle on for this kind of setup?
Also, I agree with the others - the antiquing is inspiring. I’d be lying if I said my carved Shen didn’t take a certain degree of ‘abuse’ as a result of this thread.
Thanks as always for the quality internet’n, ya’ll.
I love body shape of this axe - is there a traditional name for it?
This is pretty close to my fantasy instrument except minus the extension. I can’t tell - is it a bigger 7/8 ish size body? What scale length did ya’ll settle on for this kind of setup?
Also, I agree with the others - the antiquing is inspiring. I’d be lying if I said my carved Shen didn’t take a certain degree of ‘abuse’ as a result of this thread.
Thanks as always for the quality internet’n, ya’ll.
This is my most versatile model. I call it a large 3/4. The body length is a bit shorter than my 7/8 model. The lower bout and the c bout are exactly the same as my 7/8 but the upper bout is where everything comes in, narrower bout width and sloped shoulders for unencumbered access to the fingerboard.
French and Italian makers started building more solo-model style basses about two centuries ago. I want subwoofer in my overall instrument sound, but I also want clarity and projection. Typically a bass player's first pedigree instrument needs to do several things... section blending and solo comfort. That's really what attracts me to new double bass building: no compromises.
French and Italian makers started building more solo-model style basses about two centuries ago. I want subwoofer in my overall instrument sound, but I also want clarity and projection. Typically a bass player's first pedigree instrument needs to do several things... section blending and solo comfort. That's really what attracts me to new double bass building: no compromises.
Mark now uses a pickup system made by Kent McLagan that’s installed in the fingerboard. I don’t know if he’s done that modification later or is not doing this on Mr. Lloyd’s bass.
Nick does amazing work. His instruments and craftsmanship is inspiring. We are in the great age of bass making and he is one of the reasons why.
I've heard Dresser play on his Lloyd bass a few times and I've heard him many times with the McLagan pickup under the board and I don't think he needs. He used to use a volume pedal to blend the McLagan pick up with a standard pickup. His playing continues to evolve and his playing is out of this world, hence "The Falcon" bass.
I've heard Dresser play on his Lloyd bass a few times and I've heard him many times with the McLagan pickup under the board and I don't think he needs. He used to use a volume pedal to blend the McLagan pick up with a standard pickup. His playing continues to evolve and his playing is out of this world, hence "The Falcon" bass.
A 5 string double bass.... I never thought I would see the day... Congrats.. I am glad the bill is yous though... 
LOL
LOL
It looks like Eva Pirazzi are on high strings, but what strings did you use? Could you tell me how you set up the high C string?
Another NL 5’r on Reverb. Bummer time to be broke, ‘cause boy howdy if I had the scratch…
reverb.com
Nick Lloyd 7/8 Double Bass 2016 - Walnut | Reverb
~ Gamba Corners~ 5 string~41" string length~two-piece engelman spruce top of medium grain~two-piece quarter-cut well-flamed walnut flatback~ribs of similar walnut~flamed maple 5-string scroll/neck and ebony fingerboard ~travel neck~deep red-brown oil varnish~gamba outline~baroque f-holes~5 englis...
reverb.com
Why that's within a reasonable drive for me? Where's my checkbook?Another NL 5’r on Reverb. Bummer time to be broke, ‘cause boy howdy if I had the scratch…
Nick Lloyd 7/8 Double Bass 2016 - Walnut | Reverb
~ Gamba Corners~ 5 string~41" string length~two-piece engelman spruce top of medium grain~two-piece quarter-cut well-flamed walnut flatback~ribs of similar walnut~flamed maple 5-string scroll/neck and ebony fingerboard ~travel neck~deep red-brown oil varnish~gamba outline~baroque f-holes~5 englis...
(As wonderful as it would be to own such a magnificent instrument, I would be embarrassed to inflict my execrable technique upon it.)
Simply joking, of course. In all sincerity, I am in awe at Nick's art.
Kinda makes me wonder about a possible other thread - how good of a bass would you be comfortable playing? Kinda like, with my driving, my GTI was plenty of sportscar for me. Didn't need no Lambo. And, in fact, would be embarrassed to drive one with my C (or worse) driving game.
Maybe if I had endless resources, I'd consider ordering up a Nick Lloyd. But my $6-8k hybrid exceeds my ability by so much, that I think I'd be uncomfortable bringing anything more than a $15k bass out in public.
The only thing I can say about this magnificent bass is that I have an Eastman acoustic guitar made with an Engelmann spruce top. Wonderful sounding guitar (1/10th the price of the bassAnother NL 5’r on Reverb. Bummer time to be broke, ‘cause boy howdy if I had the scratch…
Nick Lloyd 7/8 Double Bass 2016 - Walnut | Reverb
~ Gamba Corners~ 5 string~41" string length~two-piece engelman spruce top of medium grain~two-piece quarter-cut well-flamed walnut flatback~ribs of similar walnut~flamed maple 5-string scroll/neck and ebony fingerboard ~travel neck~deep red-brown oil varnish~gamba outline~baroque f-holes~5 englis...
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Hey (!) — I don’t think anyone of any level of sincere playing/study/devotion should ever be ashamed about playing an obscenely high quality instrument (IMHO), if you can swing it.
My brother on Easter was similarly trying to justify a $6-8k investment in a vintage Gibson hummingbird as an amateur guitarist. I showed him how much my fantasy basses go for and he shut up real quick, lol.
Fortunately for me I’ve never had the pleasure of playing any basses of this caliber, so I’m safe for now - whew!
My brother on Easter was similarly trying to justify a $6-8k investment in a vintage Gibson hummingbird as an amateur guitarist. I showed him how much my fantasy basses go for and he shut up real quick, lol.
Fortunately for me I’ve never had the pleasure of playing any basses of this caliber, so I’m safe for now - whew!
Yeah - I get that. And I have nothing against having an expensive piece of art or furniture - or instrument - in my home. Heck, my wife recently considered replacing her rather pricey fiddle. I convinced her that she really ought to buy the new one and keep the old.
But I was thinking about playing it out. Whether or not anyone else would ever think or say anything, I'd feel self conscious about bringing my couple grand game (on my best day) on a $30k axe. I play in a community orchestra. I'm consistently the worst player in my section, but I consistently have the priciest bass. I felt a tad bad recently when our section leader was buying a new not-great bass because it was all she could afford, when she can play circles around me. I'd feel even more self conscious if I were playing my "air bows" on a Nick Lloyd!
Gotta tamp down this self doubt. Heading to a jam tonight - 2d time - at a music shop with a bunch of top-level pickers. The shop let's me play whichever bass I wish out of their stock. Last time I was tentative. Looking forward to having fun tonight playing what I know I play best!
I play in a community orchestra too and I have a pretty fancy bass (although I'm the section leader). My thinking is/was that I've been playing for a very long time (decades), and I hope to keep playing for decades. Even before I had the bass, it spurred me on to grow as a musician and every day, I work hard to be the best player I can possibly be on that bass. I've grown a whole lot in the 6 years since I've had it and even got to play it on a real professional stage (as a sub). If you're like me, and you pick up your bass every day and are thrilled to have it, you shouldn't feel guilty about having it. I understand the concerns about pushing the market upwards, but in that regard I really strongly think it's collectors rather than a few moderately gifted amateur players. Besides, I still take lessons whenever I can, so I'm paying professionals all the time - so maybe I'm subsidizing their own instruments in the process.
