[Dixielandjazz] Optimum sound from Double Basses - was Luckyhorse

[Allan Brown]

Great story Dave. I don't know if you've ever seen the movie "Toy Story", but I think Sid - the kid that lives next door - may have had some hand in the look of your bass. 

On 30 Jan 2010, at 20:45, tubaman at tubatoast.com wrote:

> About 25 years ago I was looking for a cheap double bass to learn how to play - just in case I ever got tired of playing tuba. I  mentioned this to the low brass salesman at Best Music in Oakland CA and he took me to a instrument storage room to show me what they had. There was a "no body" bass with electric pick-up that was within my price range - it had the neck and tuning pegs from a very nice early 1900s bass, but the sound board was two redwood planks, held together with some small rough logs. It had a regular bridge with a Barcus-Berry pickup, but where the scrollwork above the tuning pegs used to be there was a baby doll's head with one green eye and one red eye (that open and closed when the bass was tilted up or down!) On the back of the body the words "Electronic Gorilla" had been scorched into the wood surface. While it was strange to look at, the sound was actually pretty good when amped, and the price was right, so I got it. I usually keep the doll head covered with a velvet bag, but it does get an interesting reaction when I take the cover off!
> 
> I have searched for more information about the instrument over the years, but nothing has turned up...
> 
> Dave Richoux
> 
> Quoting Stephen G Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>:
> 
>> Hey Allan:
>> 
>> Small world. <grkn >
>> 
>> You might want to buy Chuck's "Coda". It  is 60 or so pages and
>> contains many new tips on Sound Post,  end pin peg and the use of
>> teflon plus a few other good thoughts about bass sound. It is the last
>> word Chuck will write about Bass Repair/set-up. Our bassist loved it.
>> I'll talk with Chuck soon and will pass on your regards.
>> 
>> Cheers,
>> Steve Barbone
>> www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband
>> 
> 
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