The Last Bass Outpost

Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: nofi on February 08, 2016, 12:14:05 PM

Title: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: nofi on February 08, 2016, 12:14:05 PM

http://www.openculture.com/2015/12/watch-musicians-plays-bach-the-jaws-theme-on-the-octobass-the-gargantuan-string-instrument-invented-in-1850.html

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: wellREDman on February 08, 2016, 12:16:17 PM

wow

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: Basvarken on February 08, 2016, 02:43:59 PM

Cool! I want one...
But I'd need to buy a new house cause I have no room for such an instrument  :mrgreen:

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: Pilgrim on February 08, 2016, 03:01:54 PM

Well, that would give you a good reason to play up the neck instead of in first position!

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: Highlander on February 08, 2016, 03:54:00 PM

Would have been useful on the Titanic...

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: chromium on February 08, 2016, 07:46:58 PM

I got to stand next to that beast at the Musical Instrument Museum here...  really cool place!

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-08%20at%207.33.06%20PM.png) (http://s87.photobucket.com/user/0chromium0/media/forums/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-08%20at%207.33.06%20PM.png.html)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-08%20at%207.33.38%20PM.png) (http://s87.photobucket.com/user/0chromium0/media/forums/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-08%20at%207.33.38%20PM.png.html)

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-08%20at%207.32.37%20PM.png) (http://s87.photobucket.com/user/0chromium0/media/forums/Screen%20Shot%202016-02-08%20at%207.32.37%20PM.png.html)

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: rahock on February 09, 2016, 04:45:53 AM

You would need a step ladder to play this thing :o
Rick

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: daan on February 16, 2016, 08:41:49 PM

Why does it have 3 strings? I mean, besides that it's the Octo Bass, and can have as many damn strings it wants  :mrgreen:
(I can't watch the video here, if it says on that)
Can anyone play it there, or is it something no-one can touch, like a normal museum? I remember seeing a bunch of instruments at the Boston MFA when I was there, a million years ago (including a 6-string bass, I joked that it was for the show-off in the orchestra who slapped, but none of the people I was with got it)

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: nofi on February 16, 2016, 11:18:06 PM

the original double basses had three strings.

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: Dave W on February 17, 2016, 03:00:34 PM

The bass balalaika still has three strings.

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: uwe on February 24, 2016, 06:45:29 AM

Weren't stringed bass instruments initially all just three strings (or less) and wasn't what is today the bass E string introduced comparatively late?

Title: Re: The Gigantic Octobass.
Post by: chromium on February 24, 2016, 11:06:10 PM

Quote from: daan on February 16, 2016, 08:41:49 PM

Can anyone play it there, or is it something no-one can touch, like a normal museum?

Pretty sure it was 'hands off'.  They had that step-stool platform next to it, but I suspect it was for the curators to demo it.

They did have areas though where you could play stuff - percussion, guitars, electronic instruments (theremin, etc)... It was a fun place.

Lots of other neat stuff on display as well...  My favorite (besides the Les Paul) was the ten string BC Rich.  Sign next to it was boldly titled "Bich".  Rough talk for a museum!  ;)

http://s87.photobucket.com/user/0chromium0/slideshow/MIM