Double Bass Why? Is it playable?

[Ed S]

... I'm not sure... 4 strings ain't easy .. I'm just sayin...
...

I've felt similarly on a couple of occasions that I had the opportunity to buy a 5-string. Sure, I'll get a fifth string as soon as I master my abilities on and exhaust the possibilities of the 4-strings I already have!

 

[DrayMiles]

Only a pickpocket would have fingers long enough for that fretboard...

Or a wife about to divorce you. Trust me...

 

[Ric Vice]

At todays prices, I couldn't afford to change the strings.

 

[groooooove]

A gamba would normally not have violin corners and usually has no more than six-strings. This bass appears to be one of those things that is, but hadn't ought to be.

there are some 7 string gambas, right? I'm sure i've seen them in Paul Bruns book.

what strikes me is no frets if it's a gamba.

agreed, those corners are interesting.

may be a weird fun instrument, and definitely does not directly belong to any one group of instrument.

 

[kinnon64]

there are some 7 string gambas, right? I'm sure i've seen them in Paul Bruns book.

what strikes me is no frets if it's a gamba.

agreed, those corners are interesting.

may be a weird fun instrument, and definitely does not directly belong to any one group of instrument.

Yes gambas can have 7 strings

 

[LouisF]

Bruce Sexauer in Petaluma had some 5 and 6 string basses from the estate of Dalton Dillingham. I don't know what happened to them but they looked interesting to say the least.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

A gamba would normally not have violin corners and usually has no more than six-strings. This bass appears to be one of those things that is, but hadn't ought to be.

Not quite accurate, luthier Matias Crom (who builds a lot of early music stringed instruments in addition to some very interesting bass guitars) just posted some pictures on his Facebook page of a Maggini violone with violin corners...

 

[Chris K]

The ad says: "An interesting, customized 7 string bass. The bass has a low C string, followed by the traditional 4 strings, E A D G and finally, C and F. The bass has an almost limitless range of musical possibilities." String spacing is smaller, no doubt. bowing will not be very easy I suppose.

 

[ole Jason]

It would be interesting to know the background of the original owner. At first it looks somewhat similar to some of the "gamba" instruments coming out of China. They often have strange hybridized features from other instruments. Most of them are fretless and don't come with tied frets installed. There seems to be little concern about making them historically accurate but they generally sound okay once appropriate strings are installed and a setup is performed. That said this looks like more of a conversion from someone who plays electric extended range basses.

 

[eh_train]

At first it looks somewhat similar to some of the "gamba" instruments coming out of China ... That said this looks like more of a conversion from someone who plays electric extended range basses.

The current owners are pretty clear about where it came from, as posted in their listing: Karl Höfner Workshop, Bubenreuth 1968. The body looks like a nice German carved bass, all day long.

Savarino, who added his label to the bass after converting it, may have only added a mega-wide fingerboard, custom made tuners, and bridge. And, if that's the extent of the conversion, step away from the bass! A properly made 5 (or 6, or 7) string bass should have a stronger top and bass bar to hold up under the added pressure.

BTW, I've recently seen some original 5 and 6 string basses made by Gotz. Built like tanks, they were...

 

[damonsmith]

To me the interest in more strings is in the extra sets of overtones possible.

I used to have a 7 string EUB that was amazing when it worked. Unfortunately the high F strings became hard to get and the pick ups design was bad.

 

[damonsmith]

Ratzo Harris has played 6 string basses for years: