I agree on the Shen hybrids. I once played good examples of there line. For the money, the hybrid stood out, even over a few of the carved Shen basses. Sometimes its just the magic of the wood.
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Double Bass Need advice - bass purchase for advanced HS student
- Thread starter davehertzberg
- Start date
Basses with Quenoil style patterns tend to generally lack power on the two low strings. You have a loss of depth in the tone. They tend not to respond well to standard orchestra strings and playing orchestral strokes is difficult at best. There are always those instruments that work anyways, buyt I have yet to see a Quenoil pattern that is appropriate in a section. I work with a small, but very deep souonding and powerful Grancino. However, the top an bottom are fairly symmetrical, but narrow.
Patrick Charton will flat refuse to build a quenoil pattern and after trying Patricks Montagnana solo model, I see no need for it either.
Just Quenoil or small upper bout in general? For me, I am tall enough and have good wingspan for a bigger instrument but want one that will be easier in upper registers, though still OK for my general playing, i.e. amateur orchestras. Your comment about orchestral bowing was interesting, I"d really rather one that doesn't fight back, mine does now.
I would not hesitate to bring the Solo Montagnana to use at work althought the regular model is a notch better for that purpose.
Even the bigger models of the two is very playable in the high register.
If you otherwise would consider a Quenoil type slope, go for the corneless lionshead version of the Montagnana which saves you €8k.
It is as good or better than what is offered in the US for 40k, and personally I prefer it to my former Hachez as the sound is more refined.
Charton currently has in his Paris shop a mint condition italian from 1947 with very sloping shoulders that is very dark sounding. He wants €15k for this which is a steal is you cannot afford his bass.
Even the bigger models of the two is very playable in the high register.
If you otherwise would consider a Quenoil type slope, go for the corneless lionshead version of the Montagnana which saves you €8k.
It is as good or better than what is offered in the US for 40k, and personally I prefer it to my former Hachez as the sound is more refined.
Charton currently has in his Paris shop a mint condition italian from 1947 with very sloping shoulders that is very dark sounding. He wants €15k for this which is a steal is you cannot afford his bass.
It cannot be left unsaid that “Sonic Penalty” would be an excellent name for a rock band.
I've played in a section with someone who was playing one of Christian Laborie's Quenoil basses. He draws a huge sound out of that bass. In an amateur orchestra, it would hold its own just fine.
I am also looking to downsize. I'm a shorter guy but I've been playing a 7/8ths Kai Arvi for the last ten years, which is just too big for me - 42" strings, deep ribs, wide bouts, short overstand. I ended up putting my name on Seth Kimmel's waiting list. I'm planning to have him build me one of his Milanese basses. I tried a Milanese as well as his personal bass (an early Housewright) and liked it too, but you do lose some presence when you go to the smaller body..
I am also looking to downsize. I'm a shorter guy but I've been playing a 7/8ths Kai Arvi for the last ten years, which is just too big for me - 42" strings, deep ribs, wide bouts, short overstand. I ended up putting my name on Seth Kimmel's waiting list. I'm planning to have him build me one of his Milanese basses. I tried a Milanese as well as his personal bass (an early Housewright) and liked it too, but you do lose some presence when you go to the smaller body..
