The Bad Boys of Bass: Lensky's Aria with Diana Gannett

[octavivo]

"Plates" are what makers call the top and the back of the instrument, usually when they are "free," meaning not yet glued to the ribs (the plates, not the makers :-). The "tuning" part refers to the method particular to "graduating" (thinning) the plates so that they have minimum mass and maximum response. At least three of the basses were plate-tuned according to the Hutchins method. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[frcwolf]

Beautiful playing by all. One can very much hear the influence Mr. Karr still has in terms of sound production, vibrato and performance style. What a nice collection of "misfit" instruments! I never heard the term "plate-tuned" before so I'll have to do some research. Thanks for posting this.