5-String Double Bass by Rudolf van Merrebach, Amsterdam anno 1967

We can find little recorded information on this Dutch maker apart from the one sentence that has been written by a former pupil, who describes him as ‘One of Europe’s greatest violin and bass makers’. We think that this may be pushing the truth a bit but hay, this is a fairly competently made instrument from decent quality materials. The small viol, almost guitar-like model with its swell back and external linings is certainly a personal model and it is sure to suit a great many players of smaller stature who need an easily manageable professional quality 5-stringer. Internally the instrument bears the makers original label in the normal position and a RM brand positioned slightly above it. The RM brand is also visible externally just below the back button.

In terms of sound, the instrument does work surprisingly well, even on the E and B strings.

We particularly like the instrument’s robust construction, its remarkable condition and the fact that the instrument is all round very honest.

Stats:

LOB (length of back) - 110.0cm
Width across upper bouts - 51.3cm
Width across middle bouts - 36.0cm
Width across lower bouts - 66.7cm
Depth of lower ribs inc both plates - 22.3cm
Body stop - 59.3cm
String length - 104.3cm

Reference number #2895