How old is your Double Bass?

My bass is actually around 200 years old! There is no label or signature to tell me, but the experts say that it was made in the Italian Tyrol, the border between Italy and Austria sometime around 1800.

How much does it weigh?

Well, I finally weighed it after all these years, and astonishingly, it only weighs about 24 pounds! That seems amazing for something so large. It is a lightly constructed instrument and has many repairs in the top. When people see it they are amazed by the variety and depth of color in the finish.

What kind of wood is it made out of?

The top is likely a variety of spruce, a softer wood that can vibrate freely like the cone of a speaker. The sides and back are maple which is a harder wood and acts to reflect the sound and help to project it outward from the instrument.

How much does something like that cost?

A fine instrument will cost at least $20,000.00, and up. A good modern bow, like the one I use, starts at about $3000.00. A French maker named Gilles Duhaut made my bow. He lives about an hour’s train ride outside of Paris. It was fascinating to visit his shop and watch him work!

Lloyd J. Goldstein