Beedster

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1379489321' post='2213161'] The $64,000 question is 'what does the bass actually sound like'? All the mics, pick ups and pre amps in the world won't polish a turd. For me, it is all about mic placement. And good leads [/quote] Fair points Bilbo, but I'm wondering if there are other factors. For example, if we take a similar question "what makes a bass amplify well live" there does appear to be some consensus that ply instruments are often less problematic feedback wise than solid instruments (I'm not saying this is the case, just that it's what a lot of people appear to believe). Given this, could it be possible that ply instruments don't sound as good recorded despite sounding equally good amplified?

But does the shape add anything to the instrument, it seems sufficiently unexpected to only be explained by some tone or functional advantage? TB is of the option that real men don't play busetto's.......

I'm looking to buy a new DB and, given my old Rumanian will be my main gigging instrument, the newbie is going to be for recording and for pleasure (i.e., having a nice instrument to play at home and at small gigs/jams). The newbie is coming in in part because as well as being hard work to play, looking f*****g ugly and being bloody heavy, the Rumanian really doesn't record all that well. I've tried numerous mics and mic positions, PUPs, different strings, and different action, but there's just no 'body' to it recorded, despite sounding OK in the flesh so to speak. If it recorded well, despite all of the above, I wouldn't be after another instrument So I'm interested in what factors determine whether a bass will record well. Solid versus ply? Swell versus flat? Big instrument versus small? Guts versus steel? Even adjustable versus fixed bridge? OK, I'm sure it's not anything like as simple as yes/no to the above questions, but some pointers would be useful. The old truism with recording electric basses tended to be 'if in doubt, use a Precision'. Is there such a thing as a generic 'good to record' double bass? Cheers Chris

Can anyone explain the busetto shape of the Profundo? Why that shape (looks slightly overweight...)?

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1379372990' post='2212014'] Have to say I'm falling in love with the Roth & Junius, given it's £1.5k over budget, someone please tell me it's crap [/quote] [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1379416150' post='2212324'] That Roth bass is crap. [/quote] Thanks Bilbo

Ha ha, wise words indeed mate, just going through the inevitable A-B journey via Z! I think all things considered the Stentor Profundo is the best balance of quality and risk management, so will probably be moving in that direction. I'll be keeping a keen eye on Greg's posts over coming weeks & months

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1379401471' post='2212105'] You could probably save yourself a few hundred quid finding a model by Roth & Junius without the little carvings around the corners and peg box. It's also a swell back, so that'll add a fair few hundred to the price - If you don't mind a flat back or plainer finish it might be worth trawling around for a different model - if you're in love with the swell back and carvings though you might have to find another 1.5k. Maybe you could sell your car [/quote] Very good advice Henry, although I must admit that I think the carvings are part of the attraction, they shouldn't be (bit like trim and wheels when buying a car I guess), but are. I'm very taken with everything about that instrument to be honest, the finish looks outstanding and the shape is incredible! I'd love to know how it plays and sounds.......

As I'm thinking of buying a DB from them (among others), I'd quite like to know people's thoughts also? C

Have to say I'm falling in love with the Roth & Junius, given it's £1.5k over budget, someone please tell me it's crap

So folks, any views on how the following instruments might compare? Stentor Profundo [url="http://www.stentor-music.com/catalogue/html%20strings/22.htm"]http://www.stentor-m...0strings/22.htm[/url] Roth & Junius RJKE Master [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/rothjunius_europe_master_doublebass_2_3_4.htm"]http://www.thomann.d...ebass_2_3_4.htm[/url] Gedo 3/4 [url="http://www.gedo-musik.de/shop/product.php?id_product=820"]http://www.gedo-musi...?id_product=820[/url] Thomann Bohemia [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/media_bdbviewer_AR_313754.html?image=10&small=1"]http://www.thomann.d...mage=10&small=1[/url] Sinfonica [url="http://www.alangregory.co.uk/musicshop/Sinfonica_Antiqued_Gamba_Style_Double_Bass.html"]http://www.alangrego...ouble_Bass.html[/url] Westbury http://www.alangregory.co.uk/musicshop/Westbury_Gamba_Shape_Double_Bass.html C

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1379352828' post='2211634'] You are not that far from me Beedster (Stafford-ish), you are welcome to try my Gedo (I would like to hear what it is meant to sound like anyway!), mine is a solid top with Spirocore strings, no idea how well I have set it up but I can just about get a tune out of it Tim Toft's is near me so I am going to get it looked over next year and get them to set it up the best it can possibly be then at least I know I have got the best I can for my cash for now. [/quote] Thanks Pete, that's very kind and I may well take you up on it. Don't rely on me to make it sound like it should though [quote name='gcordez' timestamp='1379355245' post='2211684'] I bought a stentor profundo on eBay last week. Presumably that's the one you are talking about. Not quite in as new condition and has gone to the Luther to sort of some reglueing of seams and sorting out the nut and bridge, and a decent set of strings. But otherwise a very good purchase of a good bass at great price. Im gonna use it for a bit then move it on for same price plus the money spent on repair/improvements. It should be around £1000. If anyone wants to call dibs on it I can keep you in the loop. Should be finished with it in about 6weeks. Chris, this could be a good option for you? [/quote] Please keep me posted Greg (how many DBs do you have now BTW) Chris

Thanks Keith, I've PM'd today actually so we'll see if the neck is OK for my rather clublike fingers! Amazingly one of these in almost new condition sold on eBay last week for under £1000!

Folks As any of you who've been looking at the 'Items Wanted' or 'For Sale' sections will be aware, I'm doing some too-ing and fro-ing re DB/EUB etc at present. My transport problems are about to be solved with a new and larger car - long overdue - for both my instruments and my family, and I won't therefore be needing an EUB/travel DB. I had a budget for that of around £3k (with Clarky's Kolstein the front runner had I got my crap together). I recently sold my lovely old German flatback, partly because I wasn't gigging, but as much because I was worried that £4k's worth of beautiful late C19 German craftsmanship would one day become a few pounds of firewood if it wasn't played and maintained properly (my first daughter's physical affection for it was also worrying!!). Anyway, to cut to the chase. Whilst I love old instruments, I found owning a 100 year old DB too anxiety inducing, and I didn't dare gig it more than a handful of times. However, my current Rumanian squeeze is tonally, shall we say, agricultural, and whilst reliable, it's reliably pretty crap (great for root/fifth blugrass though). What does £3k get me in new or used but recently built instruments? Any recommendations? Like the car, I'm [u]NOT[/u] looking for an investment, I'm looking for a decent, reliable and robust instrument. Cheers Chris

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1379245211' post='2210168'] That's not very British is it now...randomly going up to a stranger and talking to them? Just not the done thing [/quote] It can get a little dull though can't it, the amount of times I've just wanted to get to the bar only to be caught by a guy wanting to inspect every control on my amp or discuss flats versus rounds.... Of course, if they bring me a pint I'm happy to discuss

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1379245006' post='2210162'] It might seem a daft question , but if you were there ,why did you not go and talk to the guy ? [/quote] Normally do of course, but had the kids we me and we had to leave mid set. I doubt he'd have appreciated a conversation at that point

If so, really liked your tone and playing (black Jag into TE 4x10). Sound was reminiscent of early RCHP, which was a pleasure and something of a surprise given we'd been told it was going to be C&W C