this post was submitted on 18 Apr 2025
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Mildly Interesting

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Created in the 19th century by the French luthier Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, this colossal double bass stands out for its impressive height, exceeding three meters, and its deep tonal range, capable of producing notes that approach the lower limits of human hearing.

Due to its enormous size, the octobass cannot be played like a conventional double bass; instead, the musician must use a system of pedals and levers to press the strings and modulate the sound. Although its use has been limited throughout musical history, some orchestras and composers have explored its potential to add a unique and resonant depth to certain symphonic compositions.

This rare instrument, which was a true feat of lutherie in its time, continues to fascinate classical music enthusiasts and organologists, remaining a remarkable achievement in musical engineering.

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[–] [email protected] 60 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Oh. My. God... Becky, look at her [bass]...

Honestly, though, this is super cool. Original bass heads, for sure.

Link to a demonstration.

Edit: comma added

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago

Thank you for that. Amazing, but entirely the wrong type of music. I wonder if pieces have been written for it + other instruments. I see a lot of potential as soon as you move away from classical classic.

[–] [email protected] 56 points 2 weeks ago
[–] [email protected] 31 points 2 weeks ago

octobass go BRRRRRRR

[–] [email protected] 24 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 weeks ago

Thanks, I’ll crosspost!

[–] [email protected] 23 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I tried to learn this but it was taking me 3 days to get to and from school.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I saw some dude on the Subway with one of these. And he was sitting down!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago
[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 weeks ago

Now we’re just being silly. Cool find.

I wanna hear Apocolytica incorporate one of these.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 weeks ago

drops the bass, losing tends of thousands of dollars probably

[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 weeks ago

The original Super Bass

[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

I saw one of these on display at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix AZ, but never heard one played. It's so huge you can't reach those frets at the top there, so the inventor had to come up with a keyed mechanism you see the guy working in the photo.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

I've always wanted to go to the MIM but have yet to get the opportunity. Worth the cost? Are there a lot of interactive exhibits? I want to play with unique and rare instruments.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

The dude with the bitch ass cello in front is gonna have some PTSD with LOW vibration in his nape.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Better not play the brown note....

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 weeks ago

The party pooping SOB is looking for a one way ticket to El Salvador. Right away.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 weeks ago

If this can't produce the brown note, nothing will!

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 weeks ago

(Better not) drop the bass!

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 weeks ago
[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 weeks ago

I would love to try playing that

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 weeks ago

Davie504 boggles

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago

It gave birth to 8 violins and starred in a piorno.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Anyone happen to know what song they where playing?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago

In my head, it's Another One Bites the Dust.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

If you play the wrong note, people probably won't even notice

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (5 children)

Ok, you've peaked my interest and I would like to hear the album "Drums & Octobass" by Keiji Haino & Guro Moe

https://conradsound.bandcamp.com/album/drums-octobass

I'll try it in my car later and on my home system with a decent sub

I really hope that "flower which is orange and very strong-willed" lives up to my very high expectations

Edit: ok, I listened to this turned up nice and loud and it's quite amazing but not at all in the way I expected. I know what album I am gifting my family and coworkers with this Christmas.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 weeks ago

low-key that sounds like strangling a goose while a cheap subwoofer tries to squeak it's last audio because it exploded

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 weeks ago

I was not strong willed enough to make it all the way through that song.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Piqued your interest.

Appreciate the share, because I can't see something like this and not want to hear it play G.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

Peeked my interest.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

you've peaked my interest

I'm more impressed that a mountain drives a car!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

I feel like that is something Ivor Cutler could produce while on an acid trip

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

BASS!!! How long can you go?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 weeks ago

That dude from the Nuclear Whales laughs at your tiny little bass as he steams onto the stage with his contrabass.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 weeks ago

The brown noise!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 weeks ago

No, I said I wanted the world's smallest violin!