Philip Smith Luthier

Cello Numero Dieci

2011-10-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

This is cello no. 10 in the white being played by a 'mystery cellist'.

Based on 'The Sleeping Beauty' Montagnana made circa 1739. This is my preferred model, because of its broad proportions which results in robust, earthy sound with much depth and presence (like a fine wine or a good woman). I always have players test out an instrument in the white before the final varnish, to gauge the instrument's potential and for final adjustments. This particular instrument has an excellent open sounding A string and more C string than you know what to do with. Thanks very much to my willing mystery cellist!

The cello is currently being varnished and polished to within an inch of its life, as is required. And is soon to be heard in a southern Tasmanian venue near you.

Secret Ingredient

2011-07-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

The Philip Smith Double Bass bow No. 2 without underslide.

In the words of Kung Fu Panda,

'There is no charge for awesomeness or attractiveness."

Philip Smith Luthier Bass Bow No. 1

2011-07-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

Ticking Boxes

2011-06-27T20:58:00.000-07:00

It's all about plugging my way through the endless list of jobs at the moment. For a while there I seemed to have started many things and not finished anything and so my wife, very helpfully, made a list for me. With tick boxes.

This violin was ticked off last week.

On the top of the list now is another violin, but I am allowing myself to be distracted by making a double bass bow with no under slide and a lower frog. This is a return to how bows were originally made. The silver underslide was added for strength but there is a strong movement towards making bows without them. They are harder to make because the frog has to fit perfectly to the stick but it will be worth it for the improved tonal qualities.

Now, I'll just finish this and get back to the list.

Camerata

2011-03-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

After many years of playing along on other people's projects, some good, some great and some ... , I have formed myself a very small unconducted string orchestra. Its essentially a string quartet with double bass. I have uncovered several very talented musicians looking for a playing opportunity and we had our first rehearsal last week. We are enjoying the intimate ensemble, but may expand if required. We fancy ourselves as a camerata, and hope to invite soloists to join us to play. If you fancy yourself as a soloist, and have something that you would love to perform and would like an opportunity to perform, give me a call.

I finally understand my father's love of print music. The arrival of the above repertoire last week was very exciting. I find myself continuing to search for interesting musical possibilities.

Viola in progress: My tone wood supplier in Germany spent a couple of weeks searching through his racks for this highly figured one piece maple viola wood. Based on the Andrea Gaurneri Conte Vitale 1676, it is a larger model at 16 1/4 inches with broad centre bout which should result in power and projection, at a yet manageable size.

Bass bow baguettes: BAM!

Much anticipated, long awaited, procured via a process involving nothing less than bureaucratic insanity. Number 1 Bass bow is long overdue but now underway, for my long-suffering maestro. It won't be long now Michael, I promise.

Cello Bow No. 1

2011-03-06T15:01:00.001-08:00

It's all go here in the small workshop. Two violins, a satisfyingly large model viola and a cello are all underway, not to mention the bow commissions impatiently waiting in the wings.

The bass bow wood (sticks of Brazilian pernambuco) finally arrived from the USA. It was received with much excitement. After languishing at CITES for a few weeks, the supplier was told that as it was such a small amount it didn't require certification and was sent forthwith and after months of waiting, arrived in a few days.

Due to the rarity of pernambuco and the difficulty in obtaining it, I have started a little experimentation. The first experimental bow made from Tasmanian Dogwood a has been tested and has come up - not quite right. The wood isn't sufficiently dense, its too light and is refusing to be bent into the correct cambre. It works but unfortunately is not an adequate replacement.

I have another half a dozen Tasmanian species to try, but I am not sure when I will have the time to continue the experimentation.

I will keep you posted.

Mother of Pearl

2011-01-16T13:14:00.000-08:00

After a little searching, native Tasmanian green-lipped abalone shell for mother of pearl (a stunning material used for the pearl slide and pearl eyes on the frog of a bow) has been sourced. Saturday saw us pile the kids in the car and take a drive up the river in search of our local neighbourhood abalone diver.

On a stunning vineyard on the West Tamar we found several piles of 'stink' shells, as named by the kids, and I collected a box full. In my enthusiasm, the box was overfilled and unshuttable so the drive home was a little aromatic, but well worth it, as the shells cleaned up beautifully.

Its great to have a local Tasmanian material to use in my bow making. Most of the other exotic supplies - pernambuco, mammoth bone, ebony etc must be sourced from the far corners of the Earth.

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnwhite/sets/72157594369988268/

Mmm, green lipped abalone, looks disgusting, tastes delicious!

Cello Bow No.2

2011-01-04T19:40:00.000-08:00

This is my new cello bow. Cello bow No.2, we shall call it, as this is my second bow and the first I have completed since returning from France last May. The process of 'tooling up' and securing supplies has been almost excruciatingly slow, one of the disadavantages of living on an island at the bottom of the Earth far from European and Brazilian suppliers. Cello bow No.2 is made from a beautiful Pernambuco stick, a gift from Lyon archetier, Sylvain Bigot. I was lucky enough to meet Sylvain in his atelier in Lyon on my travels last year, having received a recommendation to him from Jean-Luc Tauziede, my bow making Master and mentor.

Sylvain's workshop is on the second floor of a wonderful building in the smart shopping district of Lyon. To gain entry you must buzz the bell next to his nameplate at street level. The entrance is adorned with the typical white on blue street number, the brass nameplates of the occupants, wooden doors and ornate carvings in the stone architrave. Once access is given to the building you ascend the stairs to this wonderful workspace.

Sylvain gave me a very warm welcome and much invaluable advice and knowledge. He sent me away with much encouragement and the gift of this beautiful pernambuco stick so I could continue my bowmaking journey. Merci Sylvain!

Scrooged

2010-12-07T15:54:00.000-08:00

In another life, I worked in a music shop in the big town. The shop stocked the full range of musical instruments strings, brass, pianos, electronic equipment - the works. Customers were always coming in trying to wrangle big discounts on instruments, like it was a used car yard. Christmas seemed to bring it out in the punters even more than was usual and us salesman wearied of the endless haggling of the silly season.

One December day, a gentleman came in. A man with a keen eye for a bargain and a master negotiater. He was like a dog with a bone after a discount. After being denied repeatedly by a colleague, the man cried in despair:

"You are not being very Father Christmassy!"

Ho, ho, ho!

So the Philip Smith Christmas decoration has gone up, no expense spared as you can see. And that's about as Father Christmassy as it gets around here.

Class

2010-11-23T15:32:00.000-08:00

The violin making classes have been going for a couple of weeks on Tuesday nights. It's turning out to be quite the melting pot of ideas and creativity! There are two regular students and a couple readying themselves to put chisel to seasoned tone wood. Another is considering embarking on, my personal favourite project, making a double bass. After the success of Tuesday night's class (and the fact that 3 or 4 in the workshop takes up all the space), I am considering offering Thursday night classes as well.

So, if you have ever thought about making a stringed instrument - you can do it, with a little help from your friendly neighbourhood luthier. My contact details are on the side bar of the blog. Call or email and we can talk about the options.

Goodbye No 3

2010-11-16T17:42:00.000-08:00

Viola number 3 has been safely delivered to its new home.

Now there is a viola-sized hole in my workshop.

It's always a bit sad to see the instruments go after spending several months working on them so intensely. Still it has gone to a good home and the owner and teacher were both very pleased with the final result. Hoping to see and hear it at the next Hobart Chamber Orchestra concert where it will be playing with some of its siblings.

Violin number 12 is now demanding some attention and social services have been called about the bass in bits in my shop window.

Tasty Tools

2010-11-09T14:56:00.000-08:00

This week I have temporarily satiated my appetite for certain objects of desire.

There is nothing quite so satisyfing as a parcel of brand new tools, and this lot of bow making tools have arrived ... sweet! Swiss chisels and files, planes from Germany and the block plane from the US of A, as well as a difficult to find hand chuck from Italy and the leather knife from Japan. The knives are Tasmanian, handcrafted by my good self.

The big block plane is a beauty. I think it is my new favourite.

The vintage Japanese lathe was sourced from my friend the horologist, next door. Excellent quality for precision bow making.

Theses tools have facilitated a little bit of bow making progress with a bass and a violin frog now well on the way.

Instrument Making Session

Over the years, quite few people have expressed in interest in learning the dark arts of violinmakng so I have started a casual evening session, Tuesday's 7-9am to guide people in the process of making an instrument. The first one kicked off last night. If you are interested in coming along, give me a call. Booking is essential as space in the workshop is tight.

L'Alto Vernis

2010-10-26T16:51:00.000-07:00

After overcoming a significant mental block about commencing the varnishing process, I am preparing to put on the final coat of colour. to Viola No. 3 (Pictured are the 5 coats of coloured varnish, there are 3 to 4 process before this and two coats of clear to finish.)

Varnish has a big impact on the way people respond to the completed instrument - its colour, figure and finish. But varnishing is a bugger. There's no other way to put it. Quick drying oil varnish is hand applied to the instrument with badger hair brushes. When I say 'quick', I mean almost instantaneous. You basically get one shot at it. Any attempt to retouch a dodgy stroke simply makes a mess of it. The colour of the instrument is all in the varnish. It begins with the application of a ground of yellow, then to browns and brown/red mixes. Each layer enriches the instrument's colour and each gets increasingly harder to apply.

In a good varnish I like strong colour but maintaining good transparency to make the most of the highly figured maple, creating a three dimensional effect.

Baguettes

2010-10-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

It's been another long time between posts, I'm sure you've been missing me terribly. However, as I am constantly being reminded, everything in this business takes a long time.

My pernambuco baguettes arrived from the US last week. This endangered wood is only available because it is reclaimed from floorboards, fence posts etc in Brazil. Ordered from the Government approved registered pernambuco dealer in Brazil three months ago, they had to sit in New York awaiting inspection by the US Fish and Wildlife Service for two months before being released. They arrived in Australia complete with a permit from the "Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora" to be held up at Australian Customs for a fortnight. It was not the authenticity or provenance that the Oz Customs were concerned about, but how much GST to charge. Such a frustrating process. Luckily the dealer sent extra baguettes, in this wondrous array of tones, to compensate for the delay. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to include the four bass sticks, which are the items I really need to get started on, so here we go again. Like I said, nothing in my business happens quickly.

With the completion of all my Churchill Fellowship commitments - the report handed in, speech made etc., I was given this medallion by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. Thanks Winston, or should I say " Merci!" (although he isn't looking too happy about it, is he? )

Since I got back from France, full of the joys of bow making, two instrument commissions presented themselves. The first is for a smallish viola, my version of a Guadagnini, seen here with the first coat of coloured varnish. Now comes the tricky part of applying the darker colours. The viola was played by the owner in the white and was greatly appreciated for its tone, quick response and ergonomics.

This white violin, minus the neck which I am still making, is my trusted Guarneri 'del Gesu' model. This one should be ready to try in the white shortly. It's my violin number 12.

Now back to my recently acquired new skills. This is a partially finished bass frog, awaiting the pernambuco stick. Made from ebony, Sterling silver and mother of pearl, this is for my first bow commission from my long suffering mentor and double bass teacher. Hopefully his patience will soon be rewarded.

Archetier

2010-05-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I am back from my travels but I am not sure that you could say I have actually 'landed' yet. Apart from the jet lag, the bowmaking adventures of the last 7 weeks have kept me flying.

You may notice I have changed my profile to read "Bow maker and luthier...". I have made my first bow, or as my new French friends would say " Mon premier archet". The journey to France and to the world of bow makers and bows was an amazing adventure. I had a feeling before I went that bow making was for me and, happily, I was right. It's brilliant! The combination of woodworking, metal working, jewellery making and sculpting required to create these amazing things hit just the right note for me. If I was French, which now I wish I was, I would shrug my shoulders and scowl slightly in that inimitable, off-hand Gallic style and say "Oui..., its good for me."

The bow making journey began in Paris with a chance drop in on luthier James Chauvelin. His atelier happened to be close to where we were staying. As it turned out a double bass specialist as well. He offered me a very warm welcome and a tour of his beautiful collection of instruments/bows. While perusing his Bows and Basses two of France and Norway's best bassists arrived and I quickly handed the bass I was playing over to these formidable bassists, and listened to the show. We also spent a considerable amount of time discussing Basses, bows, restoration, setup and a whole lot of other luthier secrets they were only to happy to share.

There are many more stories to tell but now a huge 'Merci, merci, merci" has to be given to Jean-luc Tauziede and his family who welcomed me so warmly, Jean-luc thanks for teaching me so well and sharing your passion and your bow making secrets . Also thanks to Patrice Taconne, Sylvain Bigot, Sandrine and Jean-Francois Raffin, Gilles Duhaut, James Chauvelin, Christian Laborie and all the other archetiers and luthiers who gave up their time, knowledge, bows and instruments so freely and generously.

And to the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust - thank you, thank you, thank you. The opportunities the Trust provides to Australians, to get out into the world to make connections and to garner knowledge and skills unavailable on our home shores is immeasurable in the good it does the individuals, their professional communities and all of us as a result.

Au revoir! Bon Voyage!

2010-03-29T04:24:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, a long time between posts, but things have been tres busy around here. It took some time to get going on a new instrument after last year's cello frenzy. Now she has begun to take shape. Once the ribs are done you get a much better idea of the instrument's form. The Francois Rabbath Quenoil Double Bass.

Aside from organising our upcoming French Odyssey, much scratching away on orchestral excerpts has been done by my good self in preparation for an audition for the new Tasmanian Discovery Orchestra. I am happy to say that I was successful and now I am 'primed to make the big bucks' as a professional orchestral musician when I get back from France. The orchestra's first concert will be in April and my first gig with them will be in June. While it will not, in fact, make me rich, I am looking forward to playing. See you there.

Ok, so as of this Friday we will be jet-setting our way across the globe to begin the Smith French Bow making Odyssey. Wish me luck as I have managed to master only two phrases in French, neither of which have anything to do with bow making. But they will know my name and where I am from, if they can comprehend my Tasmanian French accent.

I will attempt to keep you posted on the blog as to our adventures. I will update while recovering form a hard day in the workshop with a nice local fromage and a big glass of Bordeaux's finest.

Back on Monday the 24 May!

This could be you - check out the Churchill Trust website.

Off to Good Homes

2010-01-11T02:31:00.000-08:00

Cello numbers 6 and 7 have been delivered to their rightful owners, and while I am pleased to be finished, it's always a little sad to see them go. I hope you enjoy them, guys, but make sure you bring them all back every now and again to visit, y'hear?'

My making schedule is now open if anyone would like an instrument hand made by me, you can jump to the head of the queue.

Meanwhile, back to a real sized instrument. My version of the Francois Rabbath Quenoil Double Bass. A beautiful French form, focused sound and easy to play due to the sloping shoulders. I'll fight you for it when its finished!

Remember, I will be leaving for France in April so the shop will be closed from 1st April until the 25th May. If you would like any repairs done or bow rehairs, now would be a good time to bring them in.

I will also be away working as one of the Double Bass tutors and fixer of broken hearts (no, no not hearts, instruments) at the LYCO Strings camp from the 25th to the 30th January.

Gravy Day

2009-10-29T16:16:00.000-07:00

It's a big day today for Cello No. 7. The back has been glued on to the rib structure. This morning the internal collapsible mould has been removed. Today will see shaping of the internal blocks and and linings and before the day is done the top will be glued on to minimise distortion of the rib structure. Hence the collection of pieces from last week will take on its own unique form. This is a good day.

Have had the first accident for the day - gouged thumb. You would think after all these years and about 537 such accidents I could avoid the gouge injuries. I feel like Bart Simpson with the electrified cupcake - doh!

S"il vous plait

2009-10-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

So, it's been a while between posts but the story remains basically the same. Still cello making but loads of progress has been made.

Cello No. 6 is being varnished and is beautiful. This one is a lighter colour than the others. Golden yellow with a coat or two of warm brown have made this honey glow. Funny stuff varnish, you never know quite how its going to turn out. Its part of the alchemy that goes into the complete instrument and its bloody hard work to get it right.

Plans for the trip to France stalled until contact was made with Jean Luc Tauziede, master archetier, who has willingly agreed to take me on for four weeks of training in the art of the French bow. How exciting! Such an honour to be learning from such a master craftsman. Next April is the planned departure time.

It was very daunting but great to speak to Jean Luc. The conversation highlighted the need to get some French language skills together. The Tasmanian accent was a challenge for him. Not sure how far " Je m'appelle Phillippe." will take me. There is a story about a friend of a friend who went around Paris with the simple request - " S'il vous plait pie?" ( with the 'pie' pronounced 'poy'). Not sure how far he got with that.

Cello No. 7 is in a collection of parts but will be taken on its own unique identity very shortly.

Who's your Gov'ner then?

2009-09-03T03:51:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lack of blog posts, things have been a little busy in my neck of the woods. Cello No. 5 is finished and off to its owner in Hobart very soon. She is a beauty.

Speaking of Hobart, I had to pop down there a couple of weeks ago to receive my fellowship award from the Governor. Very nice event it was too - apart from the strangely abrupt version of the national anthem they played on the Governor's arrival, it was literally the first couple of bars then cut to the last couple. They call it "the Royal Salute"! The Mayor of our small town and his wife even travelled south to be at the presentation which was very kind of them. The fellowship dinner followed and it was great to meet other fellows, recent and past, and hear about their trips and ideas. It is an incredible opportunity so if you need info or skills which you can only get overseas, then apply.

Back to reality after my moment of glory and back to my cellos. Cello No 6 and 7 both have the ribs complete and I am now working on the tops and backs, arching and purfling.

And I have a new motorbike - an Aprilia Mana 850. I am now complete.

The instrument chooses the musician ...

2009-07-25T02:46:00.000-07:00

A boy of about ten walked into my shop with his father today, looked around and with eyes wide, whispered " Dad, this shop looks like Ollivander's!"

It made my day.

Fine Fellow

2009-06-28T20:29:00.000-07:00

From the Paris end of St John Street, to the Paris end of, well .... Paris!

Official confirmation came through today that I have been awarded a Churchill Fellowship to study bow making in France this year! Woohoo! I am thrilled and honoured and, quite frankly indulging in a little gloating for a minute. I have already taught my one and a half year old daughter to say "Fellow" as a regular tribute to me.

Thanks to my referees for giving me such glowing praise in the application. I am sure it is thanks to you that the application was successful.

It's really excellent news and now the adventure of planning the trip begins. My mind keeps drifting towards figuring out how I can sneak as much motorcycle riding into the itinerary as possible. (Motorbikes are my other obsession.) Aside from the incredible experience and opportunity of learning the traditional craft of bowmaking from French masters, I fancy taking the opportunity to also ride a cool bike through the French countryside, stopping for the occasional fromage et baguette! Oui!

Back to reality, cello number five is progressing well. It looks like a good cello to me. I'll be taking it down south for a test run in the next few days and I am confident that it will sound like a good cello as well.

Cello number 6 and 7 have also been started.

And now back to cellomaking ...

Cello Making

2009-05-14T17:24:00.001-07:00

One of my clients (he has commissioned a cello) just dropped in to check out the cello wood that has just arrived. He is a fellow instrument making enthusiast and we embarked on a great discussion about instruments, making techniques and adventures to find interesting

wood suppliers hidden in various beautiful parts of Tassie. Great stuff!

A good distraction from the cello making itself, which is consuming most of my work time at the moment. Whenever my wife rings and asks "What are you doing?' the answer is invariably "Cello making."

Next Round

2009-04-28T17:04:00.001-07:00

Notification came this week that I made it through to the final round for the Churchill Fellowship. The application is now making its way to Canberra to compete against all the other applicants from across the nation. I am very happy to have made it this far and also, that my nervous presentation in the interview made some sense to the panel.

In the workshop, cello making continues ...

Interview

2009-04-22T18:44:00.000-07:00

This week saw travel south to the capital for an interview for a Churchill Fellowship. It was nerve-wracking, to say the least. This luthier is more comfortable in a workshop behind a plane than making public presentations, but did his best and took the double bass along for moral support. The applicants had to make a ten minute presentation to a panel of 9 people around a boardroom table, after which they are peppered with questions. The reception by the panel was quite warm and most of the questions they fired had been anticipated but who knows? Great references and the double bass hopefully gave me an edge.

This week's musical selection in the workshop is featuring Alberto Ginastera, Variaciones Concertantes. Check variation 11 for 'shredding' bass solo.

Leave a comment. Any feedback you have on the blog, the work or the official web site will be gratefully received.

The Official Web Site

2009-04-08T19:20:00.001-07:00

It's official. I am online.

www.philipsmithluthier.com

The website is uploaded and ready to view.

Take a look and comment below to let us know what you think.

Meanwhile, cello number 5, 6 and 7 are underway and number 8 is booked in for 2010.

2009-03-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

Violin No.10 and Cello No. 4 have now been completed and have gone to good homes. Two more cello commissions have arrived and two more may be in the wings so the work schedule for the year is filling up fast.

Good news arrived today with confirmation of an interview for a Churchill Fellowship to study bow making in France. A very exciting prospect so fingers crossed that the interview goes well and I'll be off to France for six weeks later in the year. Sounds terrible, doesn't it!

March Progress

2009-03-10T16:18:00.001-07:00

It's been a busy few weeks. Lots of back-to-school repairs and feverishly working to finish the violin and cello.
The varnishing is always tricky but I am pretty happy with the results.

Another cello is underway as the wood arrived from Germany a couple of weeks ago.

The trip to the capital to show off the instruments in the white gave some really positive feedback.

My eldest son has begun his double bass career. He is about to turn 8 and is playing an 1/8th size instrument. So far he has mastered holding the instrument and can play 'Twinkle. Twinkle Little Star' in two lessons.
He's a natural - of course.

Double Dipping

2009-02-10T17:49:00.000-08:00

The new web site is up in draft form but not quite fully running (take a look. www.philipsmithluthier.com) hence another blogspot post.

Tomorrow the new violin, cello and I are off to the capital to be tested by some of the state's finest musicians. Access to this kind of feedback is invaluable in the making of my instruments, and provides an excellent day out of the 'office'.

Pencil

2009-01-21T17:35:00.000-08:00

Getting the most out of a pencil...

As to the violin, the scroll is finished and the neck is in. Almost done. It is taking on its own identity. Next, it'll be strung up in the white and given to a violinist for playing and feedback. Then to summon all my nerve to take on the harrowing task of varnishing.

Repair work from schools is piling up as holidays are over in a couple of weeks.

A trip to Hobart has renewed the desire to do more playing and more work in our island's capital. The home of the TSO and a bigger population certainly provides a lot more musical and professional opportunities than the smaller town in which we live.

Next week it's off to tutor Double Bass at the Launceston Youth Orchestra Strings camp.

Violin No. 10

2009-01-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

Now it's looking like a real violin. After the cello, progress on the smaller instruments seems to happen so fast.
With this one the lower bout ribs are in one piece, so it has no join at the lower block. No join should mean no coming apart.

This morning has been spent wrestling with reticent suppliers and recovering from the shock of their post-global-financial-crisis price rises. Now to the task of cleaning up and rubbish removal. The piles of wood shavings are ankle deep around the workbench. Aaaah, a luthier's life ...

Progress is being made on the website www.philipsmithluthier.com with the help of a local photographer, Ben Southam, who has provided some fantastic shots of the workshop and instruments. The site will be updated and launched soon.

January - Work In Progress - Cello and Violin

2009-01-06T15:35:00.000-08:00

Great progress has been made working on the commissions through Christmas and New Year. Weather in Tasmania has been unpredictable at best. It certainly hasn't felt like summer yet. This has provided me with good conditions for getting some work done.

Currently working on a cello and its really getting somewhere. This one is my own interpretation of a Mantagnana cello. It has a slightly diminished width yet attempting to retain the essence of the Master's model. I am aiming for a player-friendly version yet retaining the robust, earthy tones associated with Montagnana.

This commissioned violin uses my preferred Guarneri model, the 1742 'Alard'. I am currently tuning the plates and its not there yet but coming along nicely.

Now cello no.5, in the form of tonewood from Germany, is sitting in Customs and I need to fill in forms and negotiate for its early release, not to mention paying them a small fortune for the privilege. One of my least favourite jobs.

Philip Smith Luthier has a web site

2008-11-20T04:22:00.000-08:00

It's only one page, for the moment, but its a web site.

philipsmithluthier.com

Please visit, if only to get a taste of what's to come.

Coming soon - regular posts, work-in-progress, luthier links, violins, violas, cellos and double basses.

Stick Bass

2006-06-20T03:25:00.000-07:00

Details:

Five piece laminated neck-through-body construction
Made from Tasmanian Blackwood and Huon Pine
Ebony fingerboard
Carbon Fibre endpin
Wilson Individual String pickups

I made this in 2005 for a double bass student of mine. The playing dimensions are the same as a double bass. This makes it easy to swap between playing the two. This bass has a real double bass quality of sound.