Violin vs Gamba vs Busetto

[Gareth Hughes]

Hello all -

Maybe a redundant question to ask but....

Can anyone enlighten me to the difference in sound between Violin, Gamba and Busetto shaped basses?

Is it purely aesthetics or is there more to it?

Thanks, Gareth

[Jeff Moote]

Originally Posted by Gareth Hughes

Hello all -

Maybe a redundant question to ask but....

Can anyone enlighten me to the difference in sound between Violin, Gamba and Busetto shaped basses?

Is it purely aesthetics or is there more to it?

Thanks, Gareth

I'm going to say that there is no "Gamba" bass sound or "violin corner" bass sound... all basses are going to sound different and this is one of the many construction factors that may or may not have an effect. It certainly doesn't define anything on its own though.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Busetto corners are nothing but a cosmetic gimmick.

[Gareth Hughes]

So no real reason other than visual design for the different shapes?

I've always liked Violin corners more, purely from the visual side of things. An instrument should make you want to play it. (Not that my Gamba laminate puts me off).

I know the sound is the most important aspect at the end of the day, but I still have a thing for design too. Which is a good thing or else my EB luthier would have won me over with his arguments for a headless Steinberger style bass

[Ken Smith]

If you look inside two or three Basses with the Tops off you will see the inner space where the linings curve up to the blocks and with the general inner contour you will see that the shape inside is almost the same on all these models. The Violin model has some steeper curves into the corners but that is about it. Gamba and Busetto are more similar. There isn't that much difference except that the beauty of the Violin form causes extra bends of the ribs possible making the Bass stiffer.

The only shape that makes a huge difference I think is the Cornerless/guitar design with no corners or blocks at all. This pattern vibrates more freely followed by the Gamba and then the Violin model.

When a Bass is 100-200 years old, it has 'shook' itself loose fairly well and vibrates more freely, hopefully! You must compare Basses of similar model, size, age and Back construction in order to single out the Corners to make comparisons. With so many variables, who's to say where the differences are coming from?

[Ken Smith]

If I was having a new Bass made I would request the Cornerless design for its free style vibration form and added depth..

No wait.. I want a beautiful Violin Model like a Maggini with a huge sound and fancy woods...

No no.. wait.. I want a large Gamba so my Bow doesn't 'whack' the Corners like on the Violin model and with huge proportions and a string length of under 42"...

Wait.. I think I have those already.. Oops... Never Mind...

What was the question again?