philw

There was one for sale here a few months ago. I know that 'cause I was the one doing the selling. It went abroad I'm afraid. Phil

[quote name='ikay' post='1277055' date='Jun 21 2011, 01:49 PM']Ideally within striking distance of West Sussex. Fat chance I know but if you don't ask...! I've only heard good things about them but RA doesn't have an agent iin the UK and I'd like to try one if possible to help me decide whether or not to take the plunge. Suggestions for any comparable alternatives also welcome. Thanks[/quote] Yes, RA's lack of representation in the UK is somewhat frustrating 'cause he makes some lovely instruments. I enquired long ago why he didn't have a UK rep and his answer was simple – he can already sell more instrument than he can comfortably make and doesn't have much interest in expanding his business. Anyway, you're welcome to come to Brighton and have a go on my demo Veillette Paris (the blue one in my avatar) some time. Not a short scale instrument like the Mouse but not so many miles away in terms of concept. Joe Veillette makes the Minotaur model too (www.veilletteguitars.com/electric_bass_nylon.shtml), which is much closer to the RA Mouse in concept. Regards Phil

Don't all bid at once... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-Made-Double-Bass-Project-/290574935861?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Sting_Instruments&hash=item43a79da735#ht_12246wt_1066"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hand-Made-Double-Bas...ht_12246wt_1066[/url] P

[quote name='TheGreek' post='1234243' date='May 17 2011, 01:13 PM']Finally cleared out enough gear to justify buying a Wal Mk1 - courtesy of Simon (0353203) - top fella by the way.. Here it is..[/quote] Congratulations Mick and welcome to the Wal club. Looks like you have a lovely instrument there. Now you just need a fretless one and your life will be complete. Phil

I've always used vodka! One advantage being that there tends to be a ready supply of the stuff when you turn up to a pub gig with the strings caked in rosin. P

[quote name='grayn' post='1215496' date='Apr 30 2011, 07:30 AM']It looks like an Alembic, if it were made in Pakistan.[/quote] Nail on the head. Even the appalling pun in the name "Lowenherz" (spelling of "hertz" of course incorrect) makes me shudder. P

Well just 'cause I couldn't resist finding out I contacted Martin's to enquire about the starting price on their Hungarian made Concert Model: it's £5k + VAT Oh well. P

All, The continuing search for my first proper double bass (I've played an EUB for years) means occasionally following all sorts of obscure web links. I came across this the other day: [url="http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk"]http://www.thomasmartin.co.uk[/url] Be very wary if you are at all seduced by the idea of owning a serious DB. Some of the instruments here to my eyes define beauty. Unsurprisingly, they're all POA (which I suspect translates to, "if you need to ask, you can't afford). Phil

A very long time ago the "jazz" trio I played with had a regular gig at bar in Portsmouth. It was so cold in there I sometimes used to play in fingerless gloves. It always amazed me that punters would sit and listen while freezing to death. Maybe they were actually frozen to their seats. Phil

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I'd not considered Gedo (who it appears are the source of all the "from Germany" double basses on Ebay) before and I'll be firing off an email to Pete Tyler. Phil

All My search for a good "previously enjoyed" entry level double bass (say £1200 max) is proving frustratingly fruitless so I'm staring to wonder about buying new. Seems to me, new at this kind of price means either one of these (along with a new set of strings and a set-up from a local luthier): [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_33_02.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/thomann_kontrabass_33_02.htm[/url] [url="http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-Strings/Archer-3-4-size-professional-Double-Bass/8UV"]http://www.gear4music.com/Woodwind-Brass-S...Double-Bass/8UV[/url] So, who has any thoughts on either of these instruments, or alternative suggestions? Phil

[quote name='Jimmyp28' post='1158842' date='Mar 12 2011, 12:37 AM']Just going to have to hunt them down now then and see if they can help.[/quote] How about a Wal owner in Brighton? You're welcome to come and have a go on my fretless Mk 1. Just PM me. Phil

I sold a Veillette Jazz Nylon Baritone (the one pictured below) to a bass player recently who was planning on doing just as the OP suggests. His justification for moving to the dark side and buying a guitar was that he was playing lots of chordal stuff on a six string bass so thought a baritone might make more sense. His Veillette is tuned B, E, A D, G, C I think. I don't know if he's a BCer but i'll email him and draw his attention to this thread. Maybe he'll let us know how he's getting on. Phil [attachment=74434:jazz_14_nylon.jpg]

Oh dear, oh dear. I've always really fancied the deeply cool* Bassline Worp Acoustic and now they've gone and added an "in stock" page to the web site. [url="http://www.bassline-basses.com/Stockliste.php"]http://www.bassline-basses.com/Stockliste.php[/url] P * I suspect some might disagree a teeny bit PS. And there's some extraordinary playing on a Worp here: [url="http://www.bassline-bass.de/files/Worp_acoustic_neldner.mp3"]http://www.bassline-bass.de/files/Worp_acoustic_neldner.mp3[/url] Listen to the whole thing, it starts off slowly, but my jaw dropped from around 3 mins in. It proves that I could never do the instrument justice, which rather usefully puts my credit card much less at risk.

[quote name='Mr Fudge' post='1150160' date='Mar 5 2011, 12:21 AM']I would drink her piss ....[/quote] Thanks for that Mr Fudge. Lowered the tone nicely.

I've seen one in the flesh and was disappointed. It wasn't great. Looked very, err, cost-effective. P

All, My daughter's school are looking for a function/covers band for their spring ball on 21st May. I would do it but I don't think The Galleons brand of shoe-gazing "alt.folk" (apparently) is quite what they're after. Please PM me if you're interested. Phil