Contrabass... finally taking the plunge

deanmccarty · by **deanmccarty** » 2021-03-02 3:25 p.m.

I have debated for the past 10-15 years on getting a contrabass. I have played Kanstul, Voigt, Haag, Rath, Wessex, and Thein. All of my other horns are Rath, and I really thought I would want that... but after playing them all... asking a lot of questions... and doing a lot of research... I have put in an order for a Jürgen Voigt contra with a gold brass 10.5” bell and their “free-flow” rotary valves.

I am excited to have finally decided to make the plunge... it’s something I have always wanted, but never purchased due to its limited use. But... it’s something I really want to do for me. This has renewed my excitement for playing... instead of it just being a job.

As soon as it comes in (supposedly the end of May) I will post pics.

SwissTbone · by **SwissTbone** » 2021-03-02 3:29 p.m.

Yay! Nothing better than a new toy :-)

We want yo see and hear it of course!

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2021-03-02 5:52 p.m.

Sorry you didn't find the Rath suited your needs. I like to think it is a very accessible instrument. The Voigt was the instrument that Kanstul copied...it's BIG but a good design....have fun !

Chris

WGWTR180 · by **WGWTR180** » 2021-03-03 6:26 p.m.

[quote="FOSSIL"]Sorry you didn't find the Rath suited your needs. I like to think it is a very accessible instrument. The Voigt was the instrument that Kanstul copied...it's BIG but a good design....have fun !

Chris[/quote]

Chris I forgot. Do you have a Rath Contra? Several contras? :biggrin:

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2021-03-04 3:58 a.m.

[quote="WGWTR180"]<QUOTE author="FOSSIL" post_id="142391" time="1614725523" user_id="7109">
Sorry you didn't find the Rath suited your needs. I like to think it is a very accessible instrument. The Voigt was the instrument that Kanstul copied...it's BIG but a good design....have fun !

Chris[/quote]

Chris I forgot. Do you have a Rath Contra? Several contras? :biggrin:
</QUOTE>

Hi Bill,

I have Rath contra 001, the prototype.... the development instrument that Mick and I worked on. still playing great.

Chris

WGWTR180 · by **WGWTR180** » 2021-03-04 7:52 a.m.

[quote="FOSSIL"]<QUOTE author="WGWTR180" post_id="142472" time="1614813996" user_id="7573">

Chris I forgot. Do you have a Rath Contra? Several contras? :biggrin:[/quote]

Hi Bill,

I have Rath contra 001, the prototype.... the development instrument that Mick and I worked on. still playing great.

Chris
</QUOTE>
Sweet!!!

paulyg · by **paulyg** » 2021-03-04 9:22 a.m.

[quote="FOSSIL"]Sorry you didn't find the Rath suited your needs. I like to think it is a very accessible instrument. The Voigt was the instrument that Kanstul copied...it's BIG but a good design....have fun !

Chris[/quote]

Emphasis on BIG... I'd categorize it as a bona-fide air hog.

JCBone · by **JCBone** » 2021-03-04 10:31 a.m.

Aren't all contras like that? Or is the Voight particularly large compared to other contras?

Burgerbob · by **Burgerbob** » 2021-03-04 12:10 p.m.

[quote="JCBone"]Aren't all contras like that? Or is the Voight particularly large compared to other contras?[/quote]

Contras are one of the least standardized instruments, in many ways. There are lots of interpretations of the design. The Voigt/Kanstul is one of the largest.

I think Voigt makes several different models, though. Some may not be as big.

JCBone · by **JCBone** » 2021-03-04 12:16 p.m.

Speaking of Voight. Has anybody tried their c contra?

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2021-03-04 1:33 p.m.

When Mick set out to build a contra, we talked about what sort of instrument it should be, and decided that it should be accessible to bass players and very flexible for valve tunings. Previously I had used a Laetzch and though nothing of that instrument was carried over to the Rath, I suppose I had that instrument in my head as I tried things out at Mick's workshop. The Voigt and Kanstul feel like a big step down from bass, but they are very good, the Voigt being the better of the two. The Thein models I find very hard work, though they are pieces of art. Haag make a very fine model.

Chris

elmsandr · by **elmsandr** » 2021-03-04 10:24 p.m.

[quote="FOSSIL"]When Mick set out to build a contra, we talked about what sort of instrument it should be, and decided that it should be accessible to bass players and very flexible for valve tunings. Previously I had used a Laetzch and though nothing of that instrument was carried over to the Rath, I suppose I had that instrument in my head as I tried things out at Mick's workshop. The Voigt and Kanstul feel like a big step down from bass, but they are very good, the Voigt being the better of the two. The Thein models I find very hard work, though they are pieces of art. Haag make a very fine model.

Chris[/quote]
I have almost no significant time on any contra.... so my experience is mostly worthless, but when I just popped through the Rath shop not long after they were tooled up; you nailed that design idea. Took less time to feel comfortable on that horn than it does for me to feel good on my own small tenor that I play repeatedly. I still think about that every time I see one for sale.

Cheers,

Andy

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2021-03-05 3:24 a.m.

Thanks Andy. <EMOJI seq="1f601" tseq="1f601">😁</EMOJI>

Chris

marccromme · by **marccromme** » 2021-03-05 2:26 p.m.

[quote="Burgerbob"]I think Voigt makes several different models, though. Some may not be as big.[/quote]

So, it's the J-475 with slightly smaller bell? ~~[url]~~<LINK_TEXT text="https://shop.voigt-brass.de/en/MASTER-I ... -CIMBASSO/">https://shop.voigt-brass.de/en/MASTER-INSTRUMENTS/TROMBONES/DOUBLEBASS-CIMBASSO/</LINK_TEXT>

I once ten years ago visited their shop, and got the grande tour through the workshop. My family was impressed, as was I. Really fine craftsmanship.

Please let us know you experiences with it when it arrived. Have fun!

WGWTR180 · by **WGWTR180** » 2021-03-05 4:40 p.m.

[quote="FOSSIL"]<QUOTE author="WGWTR180" post_id="142472" time="1614813996" user_id="7573">

Chris I forgot. Do you have a Rath Contra? Several contras? :biggrin:[/quote]

Hi Bill,

I have Rath contra 001, the prototype.... the development instrument that Mick and I worked on. still playing great.

Chris
</QUOTE>

Is yours more or less this?

deanmccarty · by **deanmccarty** » 2021-03-05 5:22 p.m.

[quote="marccromme"]So, it's the J-475 with slightly smaller bell?[/quote]

Yes... I will have a 10.5” bell, gold brass, with the newer style “selmer” rim. No ornamentation on the tuning slide. Tuned in F/C/Db/A

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2021-03-05 5:54 p.m.

[quote="WGWTR180"]<QUOTE author="FOSSIL" post_id="142502" time="1614848309" user_id="7109">

Hi Bill,

I have Rath contra 001, the prototype.... the development instrument that Mick and I worked on. still playing great.

Chris[/quote]

Is yours more or less this?
</QUOTE>
More less than more...it seems to have changed quite a bit since 2004.... tube heading toward the bell, levers working differently...things change...

Chris

sf105 · by **sf105** » 2021-03-07 2:45 p.m.

The balance looks like it might be better on the new one.

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2021-03-07 3:04 p.m.

[quote="sf105"]The balance looks like it might be better on the new one.[/quote]

Nah !!! <EMOJI seq="1f644" tseq="1f644">🙄</EMOJI><EMOJI seq="1f644" tseq="1f644">🙄</EMOJI>

Chris

sf105 · by **sf105** » 2021-03-09 3:28 p.m.

[quote="FOSSIL"]<QUOTE author="sf105" post_id="142887" time="1615146356" user_id="173">
The balance looks like it might be better on the new one.[/quote]

Nah !!! <EMOJI seq="1f644" tseq="1f644">🙄</EMOJI><EMOJI seq="1f644" tseq="1f644">🙄</EMOJI>

Chris
</QUOTE>

That's a shame.

deanmccarty · by **deanmccarty** » 2021-03-16 3:51 p.m.

[quote="FOSSIL"]Sorry you didn't find the Rath suited your needs. I like to think it is a very accessible instrument. The Voigt was the instrument that Kanstul copied...it's BIG but a good design....have fun !

Chris[/quote]

Rath turned out to be my 2nd choice... I know it would feel more natural to me due to the fact that all of my other horns are Rath... but... the price tag for what I want vs. the amount of use put the Voigt on top... the Rath, along with an appropriate stand and case would be a little over $4K more. The Voigt is a solid instrument... I will be very happy with it.

FOSSIL · by **FOSSIL** » 2021-03-16 5:06 p.m.

[quote="deanmccarty"]<QUOTE author="FOSSIL" post_id="142391" time="1614725523" user_id="7109">
Sorry you didn't find the Rath suited your needs. I like to think it is a very accessible instrument. The Voigt was the instrument that Kanstul copied...it's BIG but a good design....have fun !

Chris[/quote]

Rath turned out to be my 2nd choice... I know it would feel more natural to me due to the fact that all of my other horns are Rath... but... the price tag for what I want vs. the amount of use put the Voigt on top... the Rath, along with an appropriate stand and case would be a little over $4K more. The Voigt is a solid instrument... I will be very happy with it.
</QUOTE>

The Voight is a classy instrument..very well made. I have done the factory tour and was very impressed and was on a stand with them in Frankfurt one year. A nice family.

Price is always important for pro musicians....it's not a rich profession and we have to live within our means.

Have fun Dean

Chris

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Contrabass... finally taking the plunge