I changed the strings on The Bob.

 As I'm sure all my readers know, I have two double basses in my living room. They take their names from my mum and dad.

I've played many gigs on The Bob, over many years. When my mum died, I used some of the money she left me to purchase La Gloria.

La Gloria is a very fine bass and my go to bass for most gigs these days. She was made in China but fitted out with parts in the USA. She is a fully carved bass. I have her fitted out with soft (weich) Evah Pirazzi strings and she is a pleasure to play. I rate this bass very highly.

The green and black windings 
on the strings, near the tailpiece,
tell you that these are Pirastro
Evah Pirazzi strings.

The Bob is a 'plywood' bass. Plywood basses are usually at the cheaper end of double basses, but The Bob (like my dad, a very durable and practical man/bass) has proved himself to be a very good bass. He has played some quite 'high pressure' gigs and never let me down. 

It's quite fitting that my mother
made the bow holder that you
see in this picture. The Bob
has worn it for many, many years.

In this picture note the colours of Pirastro Obligato strings.

I haven't been using The Bob much lately, but I got a call, from one of the schools where I teach, to fill in for a performance in a string quintet for their bassist who has Covid. I don't like the school bass, so I decided to use one of mine. For this gig, my bass will have to sit in my car, while I do some teaching before the gig. The Bob is a sturdy, practical bass and I thought that he might be the perfect choice for this gig. However, I wasn't enjoying the strings he had on, so, yesterday, I changed them. I had a set of Obligatos in my string draw and thought they might be a better option. I was right.

I'll spend a bit of time on The Bob over the next few days, but he is sounding good!

If you'd like to learn more about The Bob and La Gloria, please feel free to leave a comment.

Ciao tutti.