Violin Forum/Message Board

Chet Bishop · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 10:40 am Post subject: Completed bass...pictures

So, the bass is done-- I did end up having to put a longer tailpiece on it (last photo), but it plays well-- very easy response, and big voice.

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francois · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:11 pm Post subject:

Wow!
She's beautiful! Smile

What strings did you put on?
Permanents?

Cheers!
François

Chet Bishop · Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:06 pm Post subject:

The "E" is a Permanent-- the others are Flat-chrome-- but all are Pirastro. I wouldn't know one from another, but a bassist with the Oregon Symphony suggested these, and they seem to work well.

Thanks for the kind words. Even my wife is encouraging me to go buy more wood, so I think I will build another. Smile

bulerias1981 · Member Joined: 16 Jun 2007 Posts: 41 Location: Beacon, NY

Beautiful double bass. Thank goodness there are still good bass makers in the world today!
_________________
"I only write the notes as written, it is god that creates the music." J.S. Bach

Mat Roop · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject:

Ok... If this is a double bass... what would a single bass look like??
Mat

Chet Bishop · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 1:27 am Post subject:

Probably wearing a bow tie, with a hopeful look in his eyes?
Smile

More seriously, wasn't there a time when what we now call a violoncello was called a bass? And a double bass is about twice the size (roughly)? Just guessing.

Mat Roop · Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:00 pm Post subject:

[quote="Chet Bishop"]Probably wearing a bow tie, with a hopeful look in his eyes?
:-)quote]

Great answer!

Chet Bishop · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:28 pm Post subject:

I checked with Paul Schuback, who confrmed that my second (serious) answer was correct, and that either it is twice as "bass" (twice as low), or twice as big, and low. I'm guessing, after more thought, that it is twice as low. Etymology is fun, isn't it? Smile

He said that, in French (he was trained in France), the cello is (or used to be) called "un bass" (don't know if my spelling is right).

I agree, however, the mental image of some guy with a deep voice, a large adam's apple, perhaps, a bow-tie, and persistent hope, is kind of amusing. (A little too close to home, maybe--I never wore bow ties, but I was a "single bass" for a long, lonely time.)

Mat Roop · Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 12:48 am Post subject:

Now that is making sense....It seems then that at some point somewhere the cello may have been called a bass (single) and the large one then would obviously be a double bass.
Thanks, Mat

Chet Bishop · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007 12:32 am Post subject:

The bass is finally gone. The young man, with his father and younger brother, made the drive out here from Illinois, and took delivery today. They are as pleased as can be...hope they stay that way. They will drive home with three men and the bass in a Subaru Outback. Smile

Pulling a trailer with a motorcycle on it.

Chet Bishop · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject:

Here is Jacob, the youngster for whom the bass was made. He seems to like the bass--I hope to hear great things later on, as they get to know one another.