removable nack bass from Joseph Baldatoni, Ancona 1850 Traveling with the double bass has always been difficult – even in the days of the stagecoach. Instruments with detachable, screw-on necks are one answer to the transportation problem. They reduce the packing size and the risk of the double bass being damaged during transportation. Because what is already off can no longer break off. Over the past few months, I have developed a new flight case for basses with removable necks. My experience with the flight cases already available on the market led to the following design goals: – This tra ..read more

Concerts, Masterclass, Competition, Exhibition – the new “Grand Manège” in Namur (Belgium) will be venue of an International Double Bass Festival this summer. The program offers master classes led by renowned teachers, an international Competition organized for several age groups (from 8 years old on), concerts, and a double-bass and bow making competition and exhibition. Date: August 17 to 20, 2023 ..read more

While the number of double bass pickups has been growing continuously since the 1980s, the number of double bass amplifiers has remained very small for a long time. Polytone, Gallien-Krueger, or a handmade Walter Woods – but that was almost it with the choice of double bass suitable amps. This changed at the end of the 1990s, when the American engineer Rick Jones came onto the market with a radical new idea: a combo amp designed specifically for double bass, with the speaker pointing downwards rather than forwards. The first experience reports from the USA were promising, and so I quite soon o ..read more

Wow. I am so honored and grateful for Gary Karr’s sympathetic review in the current issue of the ISB Magazine: “With regard to my enthusiasm for this comprehensive historic reference book about the double bass, covering 400 years of its development from its classical roots to jazz and amplification, I am very much in agreement with Rufus Reid, who wrote in the forward: ‘Mr. Lohse’s The Double Bass Book is a fantastic and most impressive labor of love with articulate precision. It will be a beautiful addition to any library.‘ The book is sweeping in scope and includes brilliant photos and ..read more

When a few years ago two double bass colleagues had their valuable and beloved instruments stolen within a short distance of each other, and they sent fruitless search calls to the double bass community, I took this as an opportunity to think about and implement a digital theft protection via GPS tracker (more after the click). Since then, a lot has happened in the tracker market. Apple has also recently entered the market and offers its AirTags. AirTags offer some outstanding advantages: they are small and light, the batteries last forever, and since for tracking the already existing iPhones ..read more

Traditional gut strings and strings made of synthetic materials: Italian string maker Mimmo Peruffo is an equal specialist in both fields. Under his Aquila brand, he offers gut and nylon strings for a wide range of instruments. What is special about Aquila is that it uses a special machine to produce the monofilaments itself, so that Peruffo does not have to resort to ready-made nylon strings, but can control the composition of the synthetics individually and adjust and optimize them at any time. Among Peruffo’s most recent developments are double bass strings, which he modeled on old gut stri ..read more

“[Peter] Elias sees a bright future for modern instruments, although he still encounters musicians who don’t agree. “A player will come to me and have the audacity to say: ‘This sounds OK for a new instrument. but I prefer old ones.‘ I have got to the point where I’ve told them: ‘Listen. I prefer dead musicians too. I’d much rather have Paganini here than you today!’ As a musician you’re allowed to live in your time. Why shouldn’t an instrument maker? Is he only there to patch up your old instruments? Or is he allowed to&nbs ..read more

After having published my German language Kontrabass-Buch in 2018 (first edition) and 2020 (second edition), I’m happy to announce the release of the English language version: The Double Bass Book 400 years of low notes – The double bass: It’s history, important makers, and bassists in classical music and jazz. Translation by Martin Wind. More informations and how to order: www.Lohse-Verlag.de ..read more

Bassist Derrick Hodge and band, living jazz legends John Scofield & Dave Holland, Queen of bass guitar Kinga Głyk, the bassists of The Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and Božo Paradžik and festival founder James Oesi with the Dudok Quartet will be performing exclusively at Dutch Double Bass Festival. The only festival in the world with the bass at its centre will be taking place this October 29th and 30th in Rotterdam’s brand new Theater Zuidplein. A total of 18 acts – from pop bands to classical chamber music – with the double bass and bass guitar in the lead role, will be presented ..read more

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