Stamps of Austria: The Viennese Double Bass (2014)

In continuation of the “Musical instruments” stamps series Austrian post issued a stamp featuring the Viennese double bass, a musical instrument originated from the Viennese Classicism.

The Viennese double bass is the contrabass instrument of the string section and is not strictly speaking a member of the violin family (violin, viola, cello).

The double bass differs in several ways from the instruments of the violin family. In its modern form it is a hybrid, combining elements of both the viola da gamba and the violin families. From the gamba it retains the sloping shoulders, the generally relatively flat back and the string tunings to fourths (older instruments also retain the frets and the five to six strings). The F-shaped sound holes, the scroll, the often rounded back and the ribs with corners come from the violin. Inside the body a wide cross bar reinforces the sound post. Historically and in terms of its original construction the double bass belongs to the gamba family, but the developments it underwent made it increasingly similar to the instruments of the violin family.

Released March 13, 2014