Description
This new Wilfer-made Paesold 7/8 size carved back model has a short string length of 41 3/8″ that many contemporary orchestral players prefer. The spruce top has bold narrow-width grain lines that produce a lot of midrange and treble. I had the top regraduated and the bass bar remodeled to bring out more of the bass response as a balanced instrument. The maple ribs are quarter sawn with straight, even grain. The carved maple back plate is perfectly quarter sawn at the center joint, with tap tones that are lively and complex. The maple neck has been fit with a set of gold Rubner single unit tuning machines with ebony string posts. These have been installed in my favored position with the G tuning machine located nearest the nut, allowing the thinnest and most flexible string to take the sharpest bend over the nut. The nut, fingerboard, tailpiece and replacement tailpiece saddle are all made from aged African ebony. The replacement bridge has been fit with adjusters. The endpin is an ULSA unit with Aluminum tube pin. The medium brown varnish has been lightly applied for acoustic transparency. The current stringing is Spirocore Orchestra gauge. Other strings, such as Pirastro Flexocore Deluxe would also make a colorful string choice. Dimensions are: Top length 42 1/8″, Upper bout width 21″, Middle bout width 14 1/4″, Lower bout width 27 1/4″, Length of back including button 44 5/8″, Rib depth at tail 8 1/2″, Rib depth at upper bout corner 7 1/2″, Rib depth at neck joint 6 5/8″, String length 41 3/8″. This bass is tonally complex, has a forceful presence in an orchestral setting, and is very easy to play. It would also be a good pizz bass for jazz, with the current stringing or possibly with Pirastro Perpetual strings. With padded cover.
