Periods and Styles of French Basses

[Dave Whitla]

Here's a link to a better sequence of photos of the top restoration. Maybe it'd be better in the luthier section... ?

Anyway, the bass continues to improve. Ten months and counting. Have tried at least four types of strings and I think Bel Cantos might be where I stay for a while.

http://www.doublebassireland.com/leJ...storation.html

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Dave Whitla

Here's a link to a better sequence of photos of the top restoration. Maybe it'd be better in the luthier section... ?

Anyway, the bass continues to improve. Ten months and counting. Have tried at least four types of strings and I think Bel Cantos might be where I stay for a while.

http://www.doublebassireland.com/leJ...storation.html

That's a lot of work. Is the sound now up to where it was before yet or better than before? Most of the times when I get old basses restored it takes time for the repairs the break in. 2-5 years on average and then it mellows out more from there over time as the new repair wood ages. Often, with that much work, the Top might come off in a year or two (maybe more) to tweak the work inside if to heavy or if problems arise with the new and old meshing together. This is all normal.

[Dave Whitla]

Yes, a LOT of work! The sound is even better than before- warmer in ways I like. There isn't as much projection/power as before though, but that has been improving. Pirastro Passione strings sounded really amazing on it, but had no guts at all. Bel Cantos seems to be a good mix of sound and projection.

You mentioned the 2-5 years in an earlier post a while ago, and that has kept me sane (for which I thank you!!). Need to just keep playing it lots to get the new wood used to being a bass.

[Dave Whitla]

2.5 years post restoration and the bass is now projecting nicely. Spent a year with olive g and d strings, which sounded amazing but don't really stay in tune reliably. Trying Passione again but i'm not convinced. Do you think it's possible that an old bass like that can 'dislike' steel strings?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Dave Whitla

2.5 years post restoration and the bass is now projecting nicely. Spent a year with olive g and d strings, which sounded amazing but don't really stay in tune reliably. Trying Passione again but i'm not convinced. Do you think it's possible that an old bass like that can 'dislike' steel strings?

Old basses like old people like what they like. Hard to say without experimenting.