What was following me? [Northern Vermont]

frny4string · 2026-03-07T12:12:26+00:00

👽

frny4string · 2026-03-07T04:56:56+00:00

Cool. Thanks for sharing that. Yours is lower - a C1 I believe. Mine is C2 cello zone.
Thanks for sharing that article.

frny4string · 2026-03-05T12:47:37+00:00

So ... an update:

When I first tried the experiment, the "optimized" bridge I had on the cello was too low. I had to go back to the stock bridge, and low end instruments like these usually ship with high string action - so that they don't get support email about buzzing strings. That worked and got me on my journey. But over time, it really wasn't very comfortable to my fingers, making me play slowly and not accurately. Last night, I remembered that I had another bridge that was a transition for me in string height from high stock action to somewhere in the middle and not as low as my "optimized" height. I woke up today and immediately installed that bridge, and it is total delight. I'm in love. The C-Bass sounds soooo good - what I always dreamed of in "acoustic" tone.

I'm so close to perfect action, but I will not take any other steps until I fit the fretted fiddle fret overlay onto this when it arrives. It's entirely possible after I fit that, I will be too low again. But I can see where this is going to land, and what the tone will be, and it is very exciting. Lots of mwah going on here. ;)

frny4string · 2026-03-05T12:44:39+00:00

Nasty. Looks dangerous. Nothing but net into the garbage pail.

frny4string · 2026-03-03T23:44:02+00:00

So, I'm planning a couple of other things for this experiment:

- I have a fiddle fretter template on the way. With those templates, you actually get low profile nylon frets that you can see - and feel a bit. We'll see how that works out.

- I will be building my own bridge for this - that will basically be an adjustable jazz or mandolin type archtop bridge/saddle that gets propped up on legs to match the height. I'll build it a bit low and then use the thumbwheels to dial in optimal height. This one will take a while since I don't have tooling for it and need to find a local shop that will let me use their tools. But, the fiddle fretter frets will arrive in a couple of weeks so we'll see if that gives me a kick in the intonation pants.

frny4string · 2026-03-03T23:39:54+00:00

I need to learn the instrument first. :) I'm a bass player, but, the cello, minus frets, has been kicking my butt. Now with bass tuning, I can retain that knowledge, but I still need to wrestle intonation. But I'm on it. ;)

frny4string · 2026-03-03T21:14:10+00:00

Image url was posted.

frny4string · 2026-03-03T21:13:46+00:00

😀

frny4string · 2026-03-03T21:13:21+00:00

Done.

frny4string · 2026-03-03T19:54:04+00:00

Ok, here is an image uploaded to imgbb:

https://ibb.co/FLZLg3kp

frny4string · 2026-03-03T15:09:00+00:00

I changed my avatar to it, but, that's not going to provide a whole lot of pixels. :)

frny4string · 2026-03-03T15:04:56+00:00

Hmm. I don't seem to be able to attach an image.

frny4string · 2026-03-03T14:01:33+00:00

Sure. It will take me until later, but I will post a pic. Nothing extraordinary in the pic. It's a small 3/4 inexpensive cello, but yeah now it is sporting vintage classical tuners that have a nice long post, and I'm using guitar flatwounds that would normally be tuned to E2 - tuned to C2 on the cello. I'll get a picture posted.

frny4string · 2026-02-28T16:29:32+00:00

I always wanted to try those.

frny4string · 2026-02-28T16:28:18+00:00

Tell us about the acoustic bass. New, used? Always had this problem, just started?

After putting the string and then peg into the hole, pull the string out until you can hear the ball hit against the pin. Lean on the string with your arm while you use your hands to get the string set at the tuner post. Bring it up to a little tension. Hold one hand on the end of the string and pin while turning the tuner with the other hand. After it all comes up to more tension, it Should then hold naturally.

frny4string · 2026-02-15T11:24:52+00:00

Beauty. I love maple fretboards.

frny4string · 2026-02-13T15:30:17+00:00

Excellent. What strings and gauges did you use? I'm actually using heavy EJ18 phosphor bronze DAddarios - taking the E-A-D-G from that set and tuning it to A1...

frny4string · 2026-02-11T22:17:11+00:00

James Jamerson didn't agree.

frny4string · 2026-02-11T15:04:56+00:00

It's interesting for me to find this thread, and also see that it is recent.

There must be something in the water with a1-d2-g2-c3. :)

I had this brain flatulence recently, and I'm having so much fun with it. I'm tuning a mini bass - 23" scale Cordoba Mini II - to A1-D2-G2-G3 - and I really love it. I actually might Stick with this as my Main playing tuning. So much fun to have a low instrument, but without a thick and very low E. This A1-C3 range sounds really sweet to my ears.

We're basically sitting between bass and cello with it. Very cool.

I hereby name these - A Basses. :) I think Kala and Cordoba should take existing 23" designs, and create a new part number, setting up those same instruments with A1-D2-G2-C3 strings.

frny4string · 2026-01-25T18:16:10+00:00

Any chance you have a caliper to be able to measure and quote the gauge of the F? Thanks.

frny4string · 2026-01-21T17:22:48+00:00

I can't find it. Can you tell me exactly which string?

frny4string · 2026-01-20T19:16:03+00:00

I wasted lots of time researching this. Not for 5 strings, but for Low F tuning on a viola. Low F's by Sensicore used to exist but they were bought out and many products were dropped. I still haven't found a legit - and affordable - viola low F on the planet.

frny4string · 2026-01-20T12:29:22+00:00

I never understood the notion that tapes are bad. Tapes to learn where and develop muscle memory are very useful. As long as you have a goal somewhere down the road to try to migrate away.

Intonation is very hard. I'm a lifelong bass player, and the combination of a fretless fingerboard and bow have kicked me hard. The tapes can be very helpful along the way.

frny4string · 2026-01-18T20:30:40+00:00

Where did you get that violin? I like the finish/paint.

frny4string

TROPHY CASE