So here is my string bass.  It is a bass from the early 1930's made in Germany.  It is unfortunate that my lighting/photography skills are not the best here as it is hard to see the maple grain on the back.  The tail piece is pretty cool as it has a carving of a lady playing some period wind instruments.  The tail piece is made of boxwood.  According to my friend and luthier, he tried ebony and boxwood and told me that because the bass has so much resonance, the boxwood makes the bass sound "sweater" rather than a brighter sound that the ebony makes.  It is a beautiful instrument and has certainly seen it's fair share of wear and tear over the years.  Like many old basses, it has had a bass bar crack repair and several other repairs on the bouts and body.  The wood is extremely strong and well aged.

 

As far as cases....the strangest thing we (bass players I grew up with) ever put in our cases was.....a body....  Everything from sleeping in the case during All State rehearsals to actually zipping someone up in a case and having them walk around....all the goofy sort of stuff string players do. 

Current case holdings:

Old programs of concerts

tuners

rags for cleaning

various bass parts

strings

music

etc.... but not as interesting as some of the other posts...

 

 

it's GAW-JUS.

that's hilarious about putting PEOPLE in your cases! us fiddle players can't really do that... i have used my case as a sit-upon, but was later hollered at because apparently cases aren't as strong as we all would like to think they are!

---

it's not so bad.

**before you get mad at someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Because then you will be a mile away, and you will have their shoes**

O.K., so I have to ask myself where I have been the last few years..... I was watching the Arts channel one morning while exercising and heard/saw an incredible violinist playing for the Pope....  Now I am familar with some of the famous modern violist out there, but I can not believe I did not know about Hillary Hahn!!!  If you haven't heard of her, check her out on Youtube or I believe she has her own web site.  She is a graduate of the Curtis (sp?)  Institute.  I would place much of her playing on the same level as Joshua Bell and she is an incredible technical player.  Her musicianship is pretty darn good too...Maybe Edgar will convince her to try some bass/violin duets....

EDGAR. i have heard OF miss hahn though i have never actually heard her perform. i will have to look into it! thanks for the notice!

---

it's not so bad.

**before you get mad at someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Because then you will be a mile away, and you will have their shoes**

I haven't seen her perform, either, but living in Baltimore (where she attended Peabody Conservatory while growing up) I've certainly heard of her. One of these days I need to catch her when she performs with the BSO. Has anybody seen Zoe Conway? I recently stumbled across some of her videos on YouTube:
Contradiction Reel
Tiger Rag
She's a great combination of technique, rhythm, & style.

in case anyone isnt familiar, apocalyptica is a finnish cello quartet that covers metallica songs. they are amazing.

i am lucky enough that some pals of mine in orchestra are also very talented, and play apocalyptica's songs, they and alex mitchell had a concert here yesterday that was AMAZING, there will be videos soon and ill be sure to post them here.

anyhoo, i was wondering if anyone has a take on such musical relations, metal-cellos for instance?

---

it's not so bad.

**before you get mad at someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Because then you will be a mile away, and you will have their shoes**

Paula check out my nephew's group - Strangers Die Everyday (don't blame me for the band name) at their My Space page. All trained in music, combining instruments and music that might seem unlikely. Lawrence plays the drums.

Anne

---

And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com

ohmygosh anne! they are fantastic!!!!

i just listened to all thier songs on myspace, and will definitely be looking in to purchasing a record!

thanks so much for the link, and a major KUDOS to your nephew.

i know this is shameless friend-promotion, but i think they have a lot of similarities to a friend of mine, alex mitchell

---

it's not so bad.

**before you get mad at someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Because then you will be a mile away, and you will have their shoes**

Wow, Paula! Your friend Alex is something' else! Such sounds I never knew could come from a violin. Tell him to keep it up!

Anne

---

And when the winds of change begin to blow,
I'll whisper, "You're my lighthouse" in case you didn't know.

Sons of Maxwell

visit my website!:
Anne's Philly Phan Site at http://www.gbsfanatic.com

he is very talented. he's going to fordham in NYC on a scholarship, and he hopes to get some serious gigs up there and further pursue his music.

im actually going to see him tonite, it's his 'farewell' performance with our school's chamber orchestra.

---

it's not so bad.

**before you get mad at someone, walk a mile in their shoes. Because then you will be a mile away, and you will have their shoes**