Bass Size

Basses come in all sizes from 1/10 to full size. The majority of adult players play a bass no bigger than ¾ size. It is important to have an instrument that is matched to your body size, so you can develop a good technique and playing style that will prevent long-term injury.

The shape of the instrument

There is no standard shape for double basses. They come in all shapes and styles but two of the most common are French style basses, which generally have sloping shoulders and German style with large shoulders. Bass players are required to play all over the fingerboard from very low notes to very high. It is therefore very important to have a bass that has easy access to all positions on the fingerboard. Generally a bass with sloping shoulders and a narrow heel (distance between the back and the front where the neck joins the body) makes access to the entire fingerboard easier.

String length

Is the length of the strings from the bridge to the nut. An ideal length for most adults is 104-106cm. The longer the string length then the further the notes are apart so the fingers have to stretch further to play in tune.

Fingerboards

Most basses will come with ebony fingerboard. Ebony is a very dense wood and is ideal for the wear and tear of string playing. However ebony is becoming scarcer in the world's forests and some of the wood being used especially on cheaper instruments is not a satisfactory thickness, quality or shape. Bass fingerboards need to be planed to very specific measurements to enable players to play comfortably over the whole fingerboard. This is not done in the factory but is done in the shop at point of sale. If the fingerboard is too thin or of an inferior quality then it will not be stable enough for trouble free performance.

Plywood/Solid wood?

Traditional instrument building wood such as spruce, maple and ebony, large enough for a double bass, are expensive and are becoming increasingly scarce.

Therefore plywood (laminated) basses or ply basses with a cedar or a low-grade spruce top are a cheaper alternative.

Advantages of a ply bass are they are typically stronger than solid wood bass and take rougher treatment than solid wood instruments. I have seen an eleven-year-old trip, and land on top of a ply bass with bridge hitting the ground with some force. Both the bass and the child were undamaged. On the other hand I currently have two solid basses in my workshop that have undergone a similar accident and now need new tops.

A ply bass that has an ebony fingerboard and quality fittings can be set up for easy playing and in some situations can be preferable. Typically, school and hire basses are ply because they are stronger and withstand rougher treatment. They are also, in most cases, more rigid and can be amplified louder without feedback problems in bands.

A solid wood bass will in most cases, if it has been set up properly, sound better than a plywood instrument. The sound quality of solid wood stringed instruments also improves the more the instrument is played. For the serious student a solid wood bass is essential.

Bass outfits are often bundled with a cheap bag and bow. It is often good advice to spend a little more on the bass alone and add a quality bag and bow.

The bag protects the bass so adequate padding is essential. It also needs grab handles and a solid shoulder strap to make carrying the bass safe for the instrument and the player. The bow is what makes the sound and a good quality balanced bow is essential to progress on the instrument.

There are cheaper basses Less than $2000, that are not advertised on our website.  Bass Works repairs and sets up many instruments and some brands of cheaper instruments are poorly made and not ideal for students to learn on. If in doubt send us an email stating the brand, model number and price for some free advice. (Australia only)

Click Here to View Our Range of Double Basses

Bass Works offer a range of double basses to cater for all budgets. All basses listed are fully setup, - fingerboards recurved with the bridge and post adjusted. The most common comment we receive from customers is "how easy the basses are to play"

We specialize in basses for children, and we work with parents and teachers to find the best instrument size and setup.
We also prefer to spend time with one customer at a time so visiting times are by appointment only.
To make an appointment please call 08 8278 2016 or email info@bassworks.com.au

Our basses are set up by Peter McLachlan, who is a bass player, teacher, and luthier. His expertise in the workshop and experience in teaching and playing result in basses which are set-up to the highest standards, and tailored to the specific preferences and needs of each individual buyer.

Airport Service: many of our customers come from interstate and choose to fly to Adelaide with their bass trunk to choose and pick up a double bass personally. We offer a free airport service for pick up and delivery to and from the Adelaide airport.

Double Bass Flight Cases make air travel much easier.

When Buying a Bass we recommend you plan to spend half a day in our Adelaide Hills workshop and studio. We stock an extensive range products which are set up for you to try, so that you can experience first hand the difference between instruments, strings, pickups, amps, bows and rosin.
Any adjustments you need made we can do straightaway in our workshop at no extra charge.

Many basses, solid and ply are manufactured based on measurements that are not ideal for students. In 2000 Peter McLachlan and George Vance approached Christian Laborie (renowned French bass maker) to design a bass that would not impede a student's progress and development but was still affordable.

Christian Laborie (French Bass Luthier) writes:

"I was asked to design a double bass similar to my "Quenoil" copy of François Rabbath's bass. Getting a double bass much more cheaper than a hand-made "Laborie" which keeps all the specifications of a Quenoil model made by me, was the challenge:

-Its body had to be close to dimensions of the Quenoil with the same set up to provide the playing comfort of an original "Laborie"

-The bass would be designed in a gamba-shape with a round back and made with European spruce and medium flamed maple to make it cheaper.

-The first prototypes appeared in the mid-2000 and we decide to call this new model the "Q" because of "Quenoil"! Since then, many of these Q basses are played and appreciated by students and professional players all around the world "

Robert Peterson (double bass teacher and performer) writes:

"It has always baffled me that educators go along with offering instruments to students on which we as professional players cannot produce a beautiful tone. We must strive to develop fine instruments that can be obtained by students at a reasonable cost. The Q-Bass will satisfy the needs of the young player and the professional alike. The masterful set-up of this instrument makes all players feel as if they are playing on François Rabbath's Quenoil bass. The entire range of this instrument is evenly balanced, whether you are playing a solo or participating in an orchestra. I am an owner of a Q-Bass and many of my students, former students, colleagues and students of my colleagues are now playing on Q-Basses. I encourage you to look into this new achievement in workmanship. I recommend them without reservation."

Robert Peterson is a successful Double Bass Teacher in New Jersey, USA. He plays with the Bohéme Opera of New Jersey, Trenton Symphony Orchestra and the Delaware Valley Philharmonic. He also teaches at the Washington Summer Bass Workshop.

©2008 BassWorks Australia