William Tarr (b.2/21/1808 ~ d.7/10/1891)

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Nathan Parker

Man, these basses look amazing.

well, imho kens looks amazing, but toms............

[Nathan Parker]

Originally Posted by Anselm Hauke

well, imho kens looks amazing, but toms............

I like it. What it lacks in symmetry, it makes up for in character. Visually speaking, that is. I have no idea what it sounds like.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Nathan Parker

I like it. What it lacks in symmetry, it makes up for in character. Visually speaking, that is. I have no idea what it sounds like.

It would be hard to describe unless we have both together heard the same basses that we can compare it to.

The sound is thick and organ like but sweet on top, not dry at all. It also sounds old and relaxed. My Panormo is similar but not as 'wet' in the sound. Both are silky though but describing sound is like describing taste. Not so easy as we all perceive things individually. The Tarr to my ears has more of a melodic Italian tone across the full range of the bass. The Panormo is maybe more floor shaking and sweeter on top but dryer in the middle.

The flat back of the Tarr along with its slightly reduced size feels to me easier to play and get around than the Panormo mainly because I am more of a 3/4-7/8ths player than a 4/4 huger. The slightly wider bouts don't seem to be a problem either considering its size as compared to the 4/4 Panormo which was also slightly reduced at the Block and in its length.

Still, if left with only one bass to play, I would welcome either the Panormo or Tarr with open arms. Opened a bit wider than usual..lol

[Ken Smith]

I just received the Tailpiece that was taken off the Tarr when converted back to 4-string from the previous 5-string modification. There is an extra smaller hold drilled for the A string that is just under the Brass inlay.

There is a lower brass circle with mother of pearl inlay at the bottom still intact plus an empty cutout from a missing crest at the top plus a center inlay partially filled in. I would love to know what was in there. Always a mystery..

[Matthew Tucker]

Interesting about the lack of internal back braces. In a Lott bass I have been studying here, the cross braces (apart from the centre brace) are only about 1cm tall and wide. The back's in reasonable condition. Perhaps cross bracing isn't as necessary as we think? Certainly won't keep a centre seam together if it wants to open up. When i think about it, the main reason i'm putting braces in my current build is to give the flat back a bit of convex "shape".

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

Interesting about the lack of internal back braces. In a Lott bass I have been studying here, the cross braces (apart from the centre brace) are only about 1cm tall and wide. The back's in reasonable condition. Perhaps cross bracing isn't as necessary as we think? Certainly won't keep a centre seam together if it wants to open up. When i think about it, the main reason i'm putting braces in my current build is to give the flat back a bit of convex "shape".

Let the Back open if it needs. If over braced and the center can't open, something else will open or split.

Can we see that Lott? Are those the original braces in there?

[Matthew Tucker]

Not great photos I'm afraid:

Lott:



bracing at the break:



And in the lower bout. Looks original to me, but I didn't open up the bass to look closely.



Perhaps the bracing is a little bigger than 1cm but I was surprised when I looked inside how insubstantial it all looked.



Whitehead extension:

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

I just received the Tailpiece that was taken off the Tarr when converted back to 4-string from the previous 5-string modification. There is an extra smaller hold drilled for the A string that is just under the Brass inlay.

There is a lower brass circle with mother of pearl inlay at the bottom still intact plus an empty cutout from a missing crest at the top plus a center inlay partially filled in. I would love to know what was in there. Always a mystery..

I have decided to repair and re-inlay the original Tailpiece and put it back on the Tarr where it belongs. We will use regular Mother of Pearl to fill the 2 emblem cut outs that are now empty. We have no idea what was in there originally because I have never seen another original Tarr tailpiece but if so, not from that early period.

[Eric Swanson]

Nice idea. Thanks for sharing your process...it is quite interesting to watch it all unfold.

[Ken Smith]

Ok, we just published the Page and lightened up the pics a bit. Enjoy..

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/high.html

http://www.kensmithbasses.com/doublebasses/tarr/