For well over a decade we've been building instruments from a large delivery of Pacific Northwest lumber - a single tree trunk in particular is responsible for some of the most striking spalted grain patterns we've ever featured! As we get towards the end of this wood stock, here's a gallery of just a few of the amazing basses we've produced with it - click through the pics for more galleries and info.. Bozart Kloz Spalted Concord Bullet Brescian "Tutu" Concord Santagiuliana Commission A "spalted" woodgrain is one where the first traces of fungi in decomposing lumber has painted outlines…
View Full PostOur remarkable spalted Maple makes another appearance on this beautiful rounded cello-like Venetian pattern dating to the early 19th Century! A fully-carved flatback with long fingerboard swoop - this beautiful custom commission will be taking its place within the bass section of the New York Philarmonic. If you imagine a dream bass not covered by our standard model choices, maybe a custom route is in your future - call us to learn more +1 (860) 535-9399 or fill out an Instrument Inquiry! Gary comments: "Well, I might say this is one of the most special builds of our high end…
View Full PostWe love this new Karr build and are excited it’s going to a great school program for young bassists! This bass really captures the spirit of our collaboration with Gary Karr - a great, expressive string instrument at a sensible price. We know it will shine in the hands of the double bass section at Brigham Young University! This is a perfectly scaled 5/8ths size version of our Karr model. It’s a fully-carved round-back build of Northeastern domestic Maple back and sides with German Spruce top, a 40” scale length and a long solo fingerboard. The adjustable neck will allow…
View Full PostHere's a wonderful illustration of the staying power of big German gamba-pattern double basses. These three are all over a century old and have been kept in great playing shape with a range of modifications and replacements. These are historic instruments without the eye-popping price, having not stayed strictly original and without impeccable pedigree. They really are player's basses, set up to be responsive to 21st-Century hands with the resonance of vintage symphony instruments. New necks and/or setups keep them vital with playing comfort and adjustability. A quick tour of historic Germany with these three survivors! The Mittenwald (Left) came…
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