Interesting bass (and history reminder)

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Joshua Phelps

I retract my previous statement haha. Joeys a fine name then

Well, it's getting a C-extension now along with a full set-up. This bass has a future being played in an orchestra setting.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Well, it;s getting a C-extension now along with a full set-up. This bass has a future being played in an orchestra setting.

The Bass is back and all set-up now.

[Joshua Phelps]

How does it play now? What's the lower clamp on the extension? D natural?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Joshua Phelps

How does it play now? What's the lower clamp on the extension? D natural?

It plays great. I had Passione's on the bass when I left it at the shop so I sent Arnold an old Eudoxa flat-chrome string for the extension. Today, I changed the strings, put Belcanto's on with a Flex.92-stark E/C. In doing so, I tweaked the Nut a bit to my liking and now it's ready to play.

The middle Capo is a D. The fingerboard was slightly thin when I got the bass and was a bit too flat. The board was dressed a bit and now plays even better than before. Due to the combination of the scroll/pegbox shape, the neck-graft angle between the neck and pegbox and the slightly thin fingerboard, the bracket for the Eb capo would not fit without cutting slightly into the cheek of the pegbox. So, I opted for just a plain E-capo extension. Then, Arnold suggested a D-capo and I agreed. I have played many parts that go down to D and C. Only on occasion have I had to lock the Db capo. The Eb capo is handy to have as well but close enough to the nut to finger as well.

I have owned 2 basses with just an E-capo in the past. One a few years back and one in the early '70s. This E/D/C Extension is the first like it I have had. I think it will work just fine. The season starts up in January right after the holidays and I will bring it to rehearsals as needed and give it my normal on-the-job test. I am sure it will work well.

[Joshua Phelps]

I've never owned a bass with a extension but I always thought if I had one a plain c extension with only a E capo would be better for me rather than a chromatic in 2 ways, more cost effective & only 2 possible different open string notes. The bass & extension look great, I've been really wanting to play a bass Arnold setup as I haven't had the chance to.

[Sam Sherry]

Ken, any particular reason you went for the "drill a hole through the scroll" instead of the "no-hole wrap-around" style extension?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Sam Sherry

Ken, any particular reason you went for the "drill a hole through the scroll" instead of the "no-hole wrap-around" style extension?

Yes, because it works well and is the standard excepted way. On my old Lion head bass, we will run the string thru the bottom of the ebony but using only a top wheel. That is a bit more work, but to preserve the Lion and the tongue in his mouth, it's worth the extra cost. Also, the string thru the scroll is less bulky as well. Bending the low B-string at sharper angles doesn't help the string life as much either. Especially when I like trying different sets and using the strings over and over on different basses.

At least we are not cutting scroll like many of the earlier luthiers did. It is so hard to repair those heads and make them look good unless you are fitting a new extension over it to hide the repair.