Description
This ca. 1850 Jacob Diehl flatback bass was made more comfortable to play with a reformed upper bout shaping performed by Santa Cruz luthier David Morse. The two-piece spruce top plate has very even medium-fine grain throughout its width. The lightly figured 2-piece maple back and ribs have very relaxed grain structure with rich, dry tap tones. The tailpiece saddle extension keeps the tension of the top relaxed for expression and dynamic range. The brass tuning machines come from the Cincinnati Bass Cellar. The C extension was made and installed by Ralph Alcala. The bridge features wooden adjusters. The endpin is a 10 mm steel rod. The dimensions are: Top length 44 5/8″, Upper bout width 20 1/4″, Middle bout width 14 1/2″, Lower bout width 28 1/4″, Rib depth at tail 8 1/4″, Rib depth at upper bout crease 7 3/4″, Rib depth at neck joint 6″, String length 41 3/4″. This orchestral instrument has a complex and lively rich tone throughout all ranges, with a room-filling voice. With cover.
