Double Bass Using an old cheap cello, as an EUB?

[Steven Ayres]

Somewhat - I've seen that a few cellos were made with tuning gears rather than friction pegs (which seems like a fine idea to me, those pegs are positively archaic), but I'm unclear about tuning. Do they use CDGA, EADG, or something different?

Kay offered geared tuners on cellos as an option throughout its production. What separates a jazz cello from a standard cello is tuning, string weight and a wider fingerboard.

From listening to his recordings it sounds to me that Ray Brown tuned his Kay Jazz Cello EADG. What strings he used I haven't heard, but they were definitely heavier than cello strings. I expect that jazz-cello players use whatever tuning works for their skills and genre.

It's long been said that Kay's jazz cellos (the 200 and B-5 models) often failed under the additional tension of the bass strings. Something to watch for.

 

[Steven Ayres]

And since we're talking about Kay cello experiments, a prototype or exhibit from '54:

 

[Hagdorm]

Now that's pretty - semi-acoustic, I'd have to call it. I like it. Mine's a 4/4 model 55, do you think it could handle the tension? If I do mod it, I'd be using Fender 9050L flatwounds. Since they're made for a scale length of 34", I assume the tension *should* be okay.

 

[BassFelt]

I swear I didn't see this thread - or the Kay Jazz Cello - before I built this Waddaya think?
More info on The Bace – (it's short for Bass Cello)
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