Double Bass Toby Chennell Arco Bass Guitar

[aesopslyre]

Hi, Harmonicon. You might want to check out http://www.casextreme.com/
They make custom cases, I've had one made for my Takamine b10. Lightweight, and durable, not too pricey.

 

[aesopslyre]

Also ran across this today, as I contemplate flight case possibilities ..Invalid Link Removed

TGA ultra light flight case, near the bottom of the page.
The 1/8 size would be a likely candidate , but the body contour would be off, I Imagine.

 

[aesopslyre]

And while we're on the subject of cases, I just ordered a GEWA Premium 1/8 size bass soft case... I don't like the gigbag Toby shipped With the Arco. Just one lousy handle, no pockets. The Gewa has the correct published interior dimensions, and plenty o' pockets, as well as backpack straps. I'll furnish a report when I receive it.

 

[harmonicon]

Cheers, man! I'll check those out.

I'm ok with the bag Toby shipped with mine, though I'm sure it's just like yours. I added extra velcro straps and things where I needed them. It was never a problem going from house to town, fit in a cab, etc., but not something for the long haul either.

 

[dd16]

Sorry to interupt this nice conversation with a silly question but I can't find any price for this beautiful little thing. Does anybody know it ? Thanks !

I 've been playing bass for a few years and listenning to jazz lately, so wanted to try the DB in a small package. Wondering if the U Bass could please me or if I should get a more DB style instrument.

 

[harmonicon]

Well, I wouldn't think of it exactly as a substitute for a double bass, but a different, unique voice.

Price wise, I think it's pretty variable, as each instrument is a one-off. When he has instruments already in the shop, I think they're a bit cheaper than if you commission one with specific things, though the price is very reasonable for a hand-made instrument; around £2,000, I think.

 

[dd16]

Thank you for your quick answer. I'll think about it.

 

[aesopslyre]

@harmonicon: I should have stated previously that I use it as a substitute for an amplified double bass. It retains the timbre, but can't function acoustically in the same manner.i think that the amplified timbre is indistinguishable from that of a double bass, given the right string and pickup combination .

 

[Nordic Groover]

Apparently Toby has been busy making very nice bespoke ukuleles and so hasn't made an Arco in a couple of years now. I've managed to provoke him into building one for me in the next few months, and will post some photos and audio samples once it's complete and has made its way to the antipodes.

 

[Peredur]

I owned one for a bit. It was very lovely indeed. I sold it because I needed the money to buy something else. Given the right strings/pickup combination it would fulfill anyones EUB needs. And aesthetically it was a thing of beauty.

 

[GretschWretch]

Okay; I pulled my "ABG'd" 1/4-sized Englehardt out of the corner to refresh my memory before responding to this thread, and the final verdict is: if one wants something like an Arco Bass but for whatever reason cannot obtain one, then IMHO a quarter-sized URB is the way to go. It comes closest to the Grail everyone seems to want: an acoustic bass guitar that plays as easily as a Fender but has the tone and volume of a double bass.

Vertically, it can be bowed either standing (with a beastly long endpin) or sitting. Standing, it can be plucked with the aid of that same beastly long endpin; standing, hung from strap, presents ergonomic obstacles -- mostly caused by the combined weight of the scroll plus the tuners -- I have not yet found a solution for. Ah, but SEATED and played upon the lap, it is that Grail experience.

The only discomfort comes from the tendency of the edge of the rear C-bout to dig into the thigh -- easily remedied by placing a folded towel or small cushion on the thigh. The nut is easily within reach. With the forearm resting across the upper C-bout a natural srrikepoint is created, with the thumb placed against the very end of the fingerboard for leverage. Volume is not as loud as a three-quarter URB, but IMO is plenty loud for coffee shop playing -- which is the performance venue most want to use ABGs for. And the URB tone is here in spades. I have used mine to back two singer-guitarists, both of whom were miked and were playing amplified acoustics. My little Englehardt had NO onboard amplification. I just sat between the singers, about six feet behind, and bled into their vocal mikes; and I could be heard just fine.

My Englehardt EM-3 is almost completely stock, the only modification being that I used aircraft cble to make some tailpiece extensions so I could include electric bass strings among my string options. Right now it's loaded with LaBella tapewounds like one can get through the Carvin catalog, and the "mwah" factor is off the scale. My little plybass
I got for under $300 I would say sounds as good as basses costing ten times as much.

 

[Nordic Groover]

Okay; I pulled my "ABG'd" 1/4-sized Englehardt out of the corner to refresh my memory before responding to this thread, and the final verdict is: if one wants something like an Arco Bass but for whatever reason cannot obtain one, then IMHO a quarter-sized URB is the way to go. It comes closest to the Grail everyone seems to want: an acoustic bass guitar that plays as easily as a Fender but has the tone and volume of a double bass.

Vertically, it can be bowed either standing (with a beastly long endpin) or sitting. Standing, it can be plucked with the aid of that same beastly long endpin; standing, hung from strap, presents ergonomic obstacles -- mostly caused by the combined weight of the scroll plus the tuners -- I have not yet found a solution for. Ah, but SEATED and played upon the lap, it is that Grail experience.

The only discomfort comes from the tendency of the edge of the rear C-bout to dig into the thigh -- easily remedied by placing a folded towel or small cushion on the thigh. The nut is easily within reach. With the forearm resting across the upper C-bout a natural srrikepoint is created, with the thumb placed against the very end of the fingerboard for leverage. Volume is not as loud as a three-quarter URB, but IMO is plenty loud for coffee shop playing -- which is the performance venue most want to use ABGs for. And the URB tone is here in spades. I have used mine to back two singer-guitarists, both of whom were miked and were playing amplified acoustics. My little Englehardt had NO onboard amplification. I just sat between the singers, about six feet behind, and bled into their vocal mikes; and I could be heard just fine.

My Englehardt EM-3 is almost completely stock, the only modification being that I used aircraft cble to make some tailpiece extensions so I could include electric bass strings among my string options. Right now it's loaded with LaBella tapewounds like one can get through the Carvin catalog, and the "mwah" factor is off the scale. My little plybass
I got for under $300 I would say sounds as good as basses costing ten times as much.

I agonised for a while, before commisioning an Arco ABG from Toby, whether I should just go and get a 1/4 DB. The smaller body, slightly shorter scale length (34" vs 35.5") and let's face it, awesome workmanship, swayed me toward the Arco.

I am very tempted to have a play around with a 1/4 or 1/8 size DB to compare, once I have the Arco, though.

It's reassuring to hear your tales of fun and quality playing with your 1/4 DB. I sometimes feel I doomed myself to the "kiddie's table" by opting for something smaller (ie more familiar scale length, and more portable) than a 3/4 DB.

Ah, if they only tuned cellos in fourths... *sigh*...

 

[pnchad]

tune cellos in fourths, that is

I have RS problems and can't really play DB pizz anymore

but, I bought one of the few 'jazz cellos' built by Kay back in the 60's and played by Percy H & Ray B to mention a few

just ordered D'Addario cello 'fourths' strings - should be here tomorrow - EADG

I did spend some time with the standard cello tuned strings (5ths) which is very interesting (and a challenge) - the cool thing about 5ths is that you can cover a MUCH bigger range in one position

but, alas, this dog's too old to re-think everything learned over 40+ yrs

 

[GretschWretch]

Trust me, Nordic Groover, I visited the Arco Bass site and wished upon a star many times before concluding an Arco Bass just was not in the budget for me; but a quarter-sized upright I figured I could manage. I do not use it as a small double bass -- I have DBs -- but as a large acoustic bass guitar. If the gig calls for an ABG and I can play seated, I take the quarter-sized DB; but if I have to stand, I bring a regular acoustic bass guitar.

The 35.5 inch mensure can be a challenge, but only down near the nut. And over time, one adjusts.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

In any case, I haven't played it a lot (because I travel a lot and don't have a flight case for it - d'oh!)

Calton Cases built one for my old Azola Deco. I think someone is building them in the US now too. Excellent cases.

edit.
I see you're in the UK so you could go right to the original source.

 

[Nordic Groover]

Trust me, Nordic Groover, I visited the Arco Bass site and wished upon a star many times before concluding an Arco Bass just was not in the budget for me; but a quarter-sized upright I figured I could manage. I do not use it as a small double bass -- I have DBs -- but as a large acoustic bass guitar. If the gig calls for an ABG and I can play seated, I take the quarter-sized DB; but if I have to stand, I bring a regular acoustic bass guitar.

The 35.5 inch mensure can be a challenge, but only down near the nut. And over time, one adjusts.

Hi GW,

Finding a decent 1/4 DB here (Australia) would set me back at least $2,000-$3,000 anyway (then add a case, bow(s), etc.), so it wasn't an enormous stretch to lash out for one of Toby's creations. He was quite reasonable with his pricing.

I suspect I'd find the 35.5" scale length of a 1/4 DB tolerable, but would probably have to move away from 1-finger-per-fret playing at the bottom of the neck (I play a 32" short scale electric BG most of the time, so am spoiled in this regard)... which isn't a huge dilemma, just an adjustment I may not have to make with the 34" scale of the Arco ABG.

Hugely looking forward to getting my hands on the Arco, but I will still definitely have a look at some 1/4 DBs in the near future as well.

 

[GretschWretch]

There is a brief audio sample of this bass here (Bass Sounds)



beginning at 1:15.

 

[aesopslyre]

As someone who owns a 1/4 size DB and a Chennell arco, I would have to say that the chennell is smaller, lighter, and possesses a much more refined tone. This might be expected, since the arco is a carved instrument, with a spruce top. I don't see myself using the 1/4 size bass any longer.

 

[aesopslyre]

Additionally , anyone wondering what size gigbag to obtain for this instrument might be advised to go for a 1/8 size bag. I ordered a mooradian and it fits well lengthwise , although the body "swims" around a bit in the lower part of the case. I wasn't satisfied with Toby's gigbag; no shoulder straps , no pockets, and very little interior padding.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Additionally , anyone wondering what size gigbag to obtain for this instrument might be advised to go for a 1/8 size bag. I ordered a mooradian and it fits well lengthwise , although the body "swims" around a bit in the lower part of the case. I wasn't satisfied with Toby's gigbag; no shoulder straps , no pockets, and very little interior padding.

Why not get Mooradian to build a custom bag?