TromboneChat

Hey all!

I'm curious, has anybody had the chance to play any of the K&H basses? If so, do they tend to be sort of a bridge between the german and american sounds?

Thanks!

I've played a couple at hornguys and one a friend owns here in LA. They're good, nothing that made me turn my head though. I forgot they existed! If I make it to hornguys, I'll play them again with fresh face and ears.

I owned their dependent orchestral bass 15 years ago. Very good instrument and definitely American style. I don't know for sure, but would expect that their current models are the same. Also those with some German style Elements are probably not as German as e.g. a Lätzsch Cieslik.

I play on a K&H bass. I also have a Bach 50 and Yamaha YBL-611. I own the discontinued Slokar model and I've also played a friends Orchestra Signature Bass. Those are definitely American style. They do have their German "traditional" style bass, but never played them so I can't say anything about them.

Is the Slokar bass super comfortable to hold like the tenor is? Compared to the other basses?
I didn't know it was discontinued.

Yes. For it's weight it is very comfortable to play. The shape of the brace your thumb rests on really helps. Plays like a bass version of the Slokar tenor. I got the tenor too! I love it so much I am disappointed that they stopped manufacturing it in 2013. I played a friends K&H Orchestra Signature bass and found it harder to play, bit more resistance. That same friend played my Slokar bass and said it was light and easy to play. But then most people seem to like the Orchestra Signature, maybe because it's more conventional looks? IDK. I really wish they'd bring it back!