4. Material and Types

In general, we distinguish between different types of double bass constructions.

• Fully Carved Double Basses
• Hybrid Double Basses
• Laminated Plywood Double Basses
• Composite Double Basses

To decide which type suits your individual sound and playing technique needs, it makes sense to take a closer look at the pros and cons of the materials and constructions.

Fully Carved Basses - The Classics

Fully carved basses are made entirely of solid wood. The top is usually made of solid spruce, while the back and sides are made of maple. Solid wood and plywood represent two fundamentally opposite poles in terms of sound behavior and stability. Solid wood can work, develop, and vibrate largely unrestricted. The longer a solid wood instrument is played, the better it resonates, and the warmer, more beautiful, and noble the sound becomes. For the double bass, this means that as the top's vibration amplitude increases, so does the "bassy" character. The more the bass is played, the better it unfolds its overtone behavior, which is especially important in the classical orchestra sector.

However, large solid wood surfaces, as found on the tops and backs of double basses, are also extremely sensitive to temperature, humidity, and shock. In other words, they must be handled with care. Tops and backs of fully carved basses can crack along the wood's annual rings if mishandled. For classical music in an orchestral context, almost only fully carved basses come into question. They offer the penetrating bass character essential for bow players, along with the required volume and overtone behavior.

Veneered or Laminated Basses - The Rockabilly Slappers

Veneered or laminated basses are not made of solid wood but of glued plywood layers with a veneer on top. Unlike solid wood, veneered plywood is characterized by its high stability, broad tolerance to temperature and humidity fluctuations, and significantly lower sensitivity to impact. However, this high stability of glued wood layers somewhat compromises the sound. Glued wood layers cannot vibrate as freely and will only develop their sound very limitedly. In short, the sound character of a veneered bass will always be somewhat mid-range and less "bassy."

A veneered or laminated bass is ideal for Rock 'n' Roll, Rockabilly, or Psychobilly bassists. The vibrations from slapping and the hard stage usage require maximum stability. The lesser bass character of the veneered bass is compensated on stage and in the rehearsal room by appropriate pickups and sound adjustments on the bass amplifier.

Hybrid Basses - The Jazz Players

Hybrid basses offer a solid spruce top combined with laminated back and sides. Positioned almost exactly between solid wood basses and laminated basses, hybrid basses, with their solid, acoustically capable top and veneered back and sides, represent an ideal compromise between sound and stability. Portability and stability on one side, and the desire for a warm, natural, and developable bass sound on the other, make a hybrid bass a compelling solution. Especially in jazz on small and medium-sized stages, very natural results can be achieved with appropriate pickup systems that capture the solid top.

Composite Basses

Composite basses are the perfect travel companions, weighing just about 8 kilos, making them very light. Additionally, they are very robust and can withstand all weather conditions effortlessly. Sound-wise, they hold their own against the other variants. In the end, it comes down to personal taste whether one gets excited about a composite bass. They are, without a doubt, a very good alternative.