Tom Capasso Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Some of you may remember that when I was searching for my 5-string I learned about Dammann basses. they are designed to hang upright on the strap. I visited Ralph Dammann in 2002 and played his basses. While I decided not to buy one then (my Kinal SK5B was my 2002 purchase), I always admired the design. During the intervening years, Ralph was never able to grow his bass business. He eventually hired a luthier named Ray Verona and expanded to other instruments. His current push is making mando-cellos (mandolins with a 5th course that is low). Ralph and Ray still make basses (as well as guitars and other instruments). more at mandocello.org I came into a bit of money and decided to go for a Dammann. I called Ralph to find out if he was still making them and scheduled a visit to Charlottesville VA in May. I played a few sample basses he had on hand. Ralph said that he really wanted to make a bass for me and promised that he would do whatever it took to make me happy. I worked out details with Ray and we were on our way. It is a 5 with Bart J pickups and an Audere preamp. One choice I made was to use a Carvin neck (that's how Ralph had done most of his basses) rather than have Ray make a neck. I had him order a neck with smaller frets and diamond inlays. The neck is built to be neck-thru. The body (and cap over the neck and headstock) is mahogany. The next two pictures are of one bass I played in May - that's Ralph holding the instrument. http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t217/tom_capasso/forumstuff/0e12dac0-66ad-4514-88e2-5d1278d0b899.jpg http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t217/tom_capasso/forumstuff/0f5d2d1e-50e0-44aa-ae91-8579a6f5802f.jpg My bass has reached the point where the woodwork is done. The numbers in this picture are so I can pinpoint where the jack will go (I picked #4). I have received stain samples and communicated my preference. I'm hoping that the staining/dyeing is done. If the work goes as planned, I'm planning to travel back to Ralph and pick up the bass Columbus Day weekend. http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t217/tom_capasso/forumstuff/tcb4.jpg While the Dammann will make an appearance or two with Stonefly, I plan to use it in church and with my new duo. The Kinal and Lull will be my rockband choices (with the EB3 stepping in from time to time). I'll let you know as the progress continues. Yes - it was interesting to post on the thread about Precision vs boutique basses knowing this is in the works. Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groove Mama Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Wow, that is quite a work of art! Queen of the Quarter Note "Think like a drummer, not like a singer, and play much less." -- Michele C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danzilla Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Lovely. But it only goes up to 7. They need to add 4 more to it. "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butcherNburn Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I like the idea of starting with the Carvin neck thru, when I was considering making my own bass that was at the heart of the plan. You said that it would be a hanging upright, if he's holding the bass in position I'd be worried about where the horn may hit. Thinking about the concept I think I'd like the option of screwing in a single leg. If you think my playing is bad, you should hear me sing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b5pilot Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Nice carving! Lydian mode? The only mode I know has the words "pie ala" in front of it. http://www.myspace.com/theeldoradosband Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 He's holding it lower for the picture. I don't have a picture of where it sits when played, but the body sits at about your belt. That puts the horn out of the danger area. www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcadmus Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 That looks like one of those "boutique" basses. Don't you know they're out of fashion? Seriously, very cool, interesting bass. "Tours widely in the southwestern tip of Kentucky" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I daresay, it does look somewhat Carl Thompson inspired. How well did the 5 string balance, Tom? Obligatory Social Media Link "My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Gollihur Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Cool Very cool 1000 Upright Bass Links, Luthier Directory, Teacher Directory - http://www.gollihurmusic.com/links.cfm [highlight] - Life is too short for bad tone - [/highlight] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraub Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Dammann site Dammann bass article Shecky, you probably don't have to read this one... (BTW, if you do a Google image search for Dammann basses, a picture of Tom C shows up in the results...) I'm a lot more like I am now than I was when I got here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric VB Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 Interesting fish. His current push is making mando-cellos (mandolins with a 5th course that is low). Sounds like you glossed over the description, Tom. According to the link their mandocello starts with "the low C of a cello", like all mandocellos: C2,G2,D3,A3. The extra course is the high-pitched strings (E4), presumably to attract guitarists (guitars are tuned E2,A2,D3,G3,B3,E4). A mandolin (G3,D4,A4,E5) with an extra (5th) course tuned a 5th lower (C3) would be a 5-course mandola, the fretted/picked counterpart of a 5-string viola. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted August 21, 2013 Author Share Posted August 21, 2013 Eric - you're right about the glossing over. When I visited Ralph in May, I had him teach me two chord fingerings so I could try a mando-cello (I know about 3 chords on a guitar). It sounded very cool, but wasn't my main interest. Nicklab - The strap buttons are positioned to keep it upright - it doesn't move left/right at all. One change since my 2002 visit is that they are using less wood on the body. that actually makes the neck move front/back a bit more then the 2002 version. The 2002 version's body was like a counterweight that held it very much in place - I jumped around Ralph's dining room and it was solid. For my bass I opted to trade that counterweight for an instrument that was lighter over-all. Since I'll have my hand on the neck anyway, I consider this a good trade-off. Wraub - thanks for digging up my old article! Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I remember back when you first saw one of his basses and really liked the concept of the way it was held. I think it is probably better for the hands and wrists as well as the rest of the body. I'm happy that you're able to fulfill this sort of GAS that has existed in the background of your mind for over 10 years now. I look forward to seeing the photos when finished and hopefully get to hear you play some day. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 So Tom, what's the right hand technique like since this bass is held vertically? Obligatory Social Media Link "My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard W Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Where in Charlottesville are these guys? I'm heading there tomorrow to drop my daughter off at the University. "Everyone wants to change the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves." Leo Tolstoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted August 26, 2013 Author Share Posted August 26, 2013 Richard W - Check the website. They don't have a store, but you can visit Ralph and company. They are on a farm that has Ralph's house, a Music building (to show instruments) and a separate set of buildings where the work is done. Sorry I missed your post until now - hope the drop-off went well! Nick - the body actually is a bit thicker where your right hand is, so it can be a hand-rest. The picking doesn't feel very different. Try it - drop your right hand, then bend your elbow so your hand is just below your belly button, with the palm facing in. Wiggle your fingers and you are there!! I tried picking - it's not as easy because it requires a different motion. I twist my arm when I pick, so that doesn't work. I'll let you know if I work that out, but I expect to be using fingers. I'm expecting it will take some time to get used to the upright neck, since I don't play upright bass at all. I was able to pick up songs pretty quickly on my two visits to Ralph's place, so I don't think it will take too long. thanks Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted October 9, 2013 Author Share Posted October 9, 2013 Update: I'm going back to Charlottesville Oct 12 to pick up the bass. I've been working with Ralph Dammann's luthier Ray on this project and he's been great. We worked on color samples, and he later sent pictures of it finished. http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t217/tom_capasso/Dammannfinishbass3.jpg http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t217/tom_capasso/Dammannfinishbass2.jpg I was consulted on everything (as you saw above on the jack position). I had to provide measurements for my relief and action (I took them from my Kinal) because Ray wants to get everything as close to perfect as possible. He had drilled holes for the controls for my Audere preamp. We then talked through the Z-switch options. After researching TalkBass (not very helpful) and Jon Herrera's review (very helpful) I decided to add the switch. The latest picture to ask where I want the switch shows the partial construction - I'm getting excited!!! For the record, I asked for the switch to be between markers 4 & 10. There is also a battery light with this preamp. I decided to have it installed in the cavity cover on the back. A blue light on the front just didn't seem right for this bass design. My Kinal is battery-only (no passive mode), and it hasn't been an issue. The controls are volume, blend, treble/bass (concentric), and mids. The Audere has the blend built into the preamp rather than using the control to blend the pickups before the preamp (which many basses have). According to Jon, it provides a smoother, varied blend. I went with 18 mm spacing, which is what my Kinal has. I was tempted to something tighter, but figured this spacing was safe. I hadn't even realized that bridges are offered in so many widths. Ray said they typically use 16 mm. It's an ABM bridge. http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t217/tom_capasso/forumstuff/Dammannswitchposition.jpg Yes - I know the bass isn't mine until pictures are posted. I'll do that as soon as I can. NY-area folks - I'll try to arrange a gathering. Willie has his Nordstrand that most of us haven't seen. I'm sure some of you have something new to contribute. More later. Tom www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danzilla Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Nice. If they left he fingerboard blue, then the blue preamp light would match perfectly. "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Exciting times, Tom! Enjoy the trip south to pick it up. A NYC gathering to check it out would be great. And, sure, I'd bring along Citric Acid since many of the locals haven't had a chance to test drive it. Peace. --s-uu spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wraub Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Exciting times, Tom! Enjoy the trip south to pick it up. A NYC gathering to check it out would be great. And, sure, I'd bring along Citric Acid since many of the locals haven't had a chance to test drive it. Peace. --s-uu I has jealous. And, a little sad. I'm a lot more like I am now than I was when I got here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bottom End Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 I live near C-ville, I didn't realize Daumann's was in the area. "Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, yet you cannot play upon me.'-Hamlet Guitar solos last 30 seconds, the bass line lasts for the whole song. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Thats an interesting concept - the upright playing position. That would make a lot of sense for a fretless as well. Very "upright". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicklab Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t217/tom_capasso/Dammannfinishbass3.jpg Seeing it hang like that, the shape actually reminds me of a tamboura. My old roommate had one back when we shared an apartment in the 90's, and the silhouette was very much like that. [/END TANGENT] It's looking pretty awesome, Tom. You also managed to pique my interest with the Bartolini's that you're putting in there, too. Obligatory Social Media Link "My concern is, and I have to, uh, check with my accountant, that this might bump me into a higher, uh, tax..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Capasso Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 Well - the best laid plans... While doing a final buffing, Ray accidentally burned the finish in two spot on an edge. He wrote me a day before my trip and sent me pictures of the damage. Knowing that plans were made, he offered to let me take the bass and have the damages fixed in NY, for which he would reimburse me in full. I thought about his offer, and the fact that my trip to VA included a visit to a few friends, and made a decision. I would make the trip, see the friends, and see the bass. But I would leave the bass for Ray to complete. I did this because I wanted the finished product to come from one place, and I wanted Dammann (Ralph the owner and Ray the luthier) to feel good about the product. Seeing/playing the bass also gives me a chance to see if everything suits me - and gives them time to change anything I would like different. I'm not sure yet if I'll make another trip to pick it up or have them ship it to me. I visited yesterday - Ray was away for the weekend, and Ralph let me play and examine. It took a few minutes to find the two damages. they are the type of thing that could happen in normal wear banging the instrument around - very small. Still, I left it to be fixed. It was hard to leave it. The color (which probably isn't represented exactly in any of the pics) is exactly the red I wanted. It is beautiful !! Another thing I didn't notice as much before was that the small/narrow headstock makes the tuning pegs appear to stick out - it looks more like an oriental stringed instrument - which I like. One thing I did was use smaller frets. I've never owned an instrument with smaller frets, and coupled with the different way of holding the instrument, I had a lot of fret noise. Hmmm - was something not right? I tilted the instrument down more like a guitar and played, and - yep, no fret noise - felt great! I'll have to adjust, but it won't take long. It sounded great - lots of variety in the tone. Clicky-sharp edges in the tone if I want, or smooth mids, or lows. The sound is a bass guitar - this does not pretend to be fretless or upright. I had to decide on a TKL gig bag or a custom made hard case. I looked the bag and decided i'd prefer more padding, so i picked the case. Here is a pic with Ralph and the bass to show it does exist :wink: ( the orangy bit is just the light from a window) http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t217/tom_capasso/forumstuff/DammannBassCheck1.jpg www.stoneflyrocks.com Acoustic Color Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Fantastic! Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Looks good Tom! Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenfxj Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 You Dammann! Push the button Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danzilla Posted October 14, 2013 Share Posted October 14, 2013 So close, and yet so far. But at least you know you'll be happy, and you are giving them the opportunity to give you the best instrument they can make. Good on you. Now, the wait. Patience is a virtue. "Am I enough of a freak to be worth paying to see?"- Separated Out (Marillion) NEW band Old band Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddiePlaysBass Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 That is a cool bass, man! The design is probably not for everyone, but I like it "I'm a work in progress." Micky Barnes The Ross Brown Shirt World Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imogene Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 That may very well be the most beautiful electric bass that I've ever seen. Absolutely gorgeous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.