Welcome to General Encyclopaedias page, a presentation whose goal is to index all works of this profile that offer a bass related content. The encyclopaedias in our modern sense are commonly the large multi volume works that cover all aspects of human knowledge, and bear a title of either “Encyclopaedia” or “Cyclopaedia.” Almost all of them have been created by a dedicated work of a number of editors and/or authors, and were usually planned, edited and published over the span of several years, in some instances even decades.

Informally and over the span of the time, these works would commonly get an abbreviated name that typically consists of the name of the founder (or main editor/publisher), and the words from the title. Informally, it could also be referred by the city or geographic location where it originated. However for the indexing purposes, such a practice would not offer any consistent system for listing, thus here you will find an index system that consist of both the main editor / founder / publisher / author line, followed by an abbreviated title and the year span during which the encyclopedia was published. By following this format, it is hoped that everyone affiliated with the “common abbreviated title” will still recognize the entry. For example: Meyers Konversations-Lexikon is cited as “Meyer – Konversations-Lexikon,” a title that later incorporated the Encyklopädie designation too.  The only exception to this rule is the Encyclopædia Britannica, a seminal work that is simply known worldwide by its title alone and generally not associated with any editor in particular.

In respect to Geographical Listing Index, in all instances where the encyclopaedia was published in more then one city simultaneously, only the first city is listed. Likewise and similarly to documentation pattern applied in all other Dictionaries’ pages, you will find relevant comments in brackets after the entries. Also, where there are several bass entries in the same work and some of them refer to the other, the most important one will be marked by a red dot. Everything else should be self explanatory and ready to serve your search and research interests.

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Note 1. Geographical listing designates the place of publication, which in some instances may differ from the main residence of the authors/ editors or contributors, since Encyclopaedias were often created through a joint effort. The listing of cities however may still offer good reference on important bassists, composers and other musicians, and along the types of stringed bass instruments that were noted in a particular region at the time of publication. Please bear in mind that some Encyclopaedias were influenced by, and sometime even translated-reprinted from the original of a different city, country or culture. Thus the terms and personalities presented may feature a mixture of generally known and location specific entries.

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Brockhaus – Enzyklopädie 1827 – Info 1 – Info 2 – Info 3

• Conversations-Lexikon oder kurzgefaßtes Handwörterbuch für die in der gesellschaftlichen Unterhaltung aus den Wissenschaften und Künsten vorkommenden Gegenstände mit beständiger Rücksicht auf die Ereignisse der älteren und neueren Zeit. 1^st ed. 6 vols. Amsterdam: Im Kunst- und Industrie-Comptoir,  1809-1811.

1^st edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 1 (1809) A-E
Online View & Download – MDZ

Baß – Instrumental Baß – Violono, pp. 127-128 – MDZ

[ a small section of the Baß entry is dedicated to instruments that perform the bass part and among them the Violono, tuned in our modern E,A,D,G setup ]

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• Conversations-Lexicon oder enzyclopädisches Handwörterbuch für gebildete Stände. 2^nd ed. 10 vols. Leipzig und Altenburg: F. A. Brockhaus, 1812-1819.

2^nd edition – Info & Index of Volumes

[ Unfortunately, neither the first nor the last volume that may contain “B” for Bass, or “V” for Violone are available online. Thus a manual search will have to be undertaken in the future to verify these entries. ]

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• Conversations-Lexicon oder enzyclopädisches Handwörterbuch für gebildete Stände. 3^rd ed. 10 vols. Leipzig und Altenburg: F. A. Brockhaus, 1814-1819,

3^rd edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 1 (1814) A-Boyle
Online View & Download – MDZ 

Baß – Violono, p. 490 – MDZ

[ a section of the Baß entry is dedicated to the Violono, tuned in our modern E,A,D,G setup ]

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• Allgemeine Hand-Encyklopädie für die gebildeten Stände in alphabetischer Ordnung und in zehn Bänden 4^th ed. 10 vols. Altenburg und Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1817-1819.

4^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 1 (1817) A-Boyle
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Baß – Violono, p. 489 – Google Books

[ a section of the Baß entry is dedicated to the Violono, tuned in our modern E,A,D,G setup, a reprint from 3^rd edition ]

Vol. 10 (1820) To-Zz
Online View & Download – Google Books 

• Violon, p. 420 – Google Books [ lower quality scan ]

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Supplemente zum Conversations-Lexicon für die Besitzer der Stuttgarter Ausgabe in zehn Bänden. Enthaltend die wichtigsten neuen Artikel und Verbesserungen der Leipziger fünften Auflage. Stuttgart: Macklot, 1819-1820.

4^th Part (1820) S-Z
Online View & Download – MDZ

• Violon, p. 418 – MDZ

[ Indicates a use of 5 stringed instruments still in Vienna and Italy, likely those in Viennese tuning since no other 5 string type was in use at that time. ]

[ Although indicated as a supplement, this is the same Violon entry as above in the 10^th vol. The scan quality is better however ]

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• Allgemeine Deutsche Real-Encyclopädie Für Die Gebildeten Stände (Conversations-Lexikon). 5^th ed. 10 vols. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1819-1820.

5^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 1 (1819) A-Boy
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Baß – Violono, p. 549 – Google Books

Vol. 10 (1820) To-Zz
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Violon, p. 420 – Google Books

[ Indicates a use of 5 stringed instruments still in Vienna and Italy, likely those in Viennese tuning since no other 5 string type was in use at that time. ]

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• Allgemeine Deutsche Real-Encyclopädie Für Die Gebildeten Stände (Conversations-Lexikon). 6^th ed. 10 vols. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1824.

6^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes 

Vol. 1 (1824) A-Boy
Online View & Download – MDZ 

Baß – Violon, p. 549 – MDZ 

[ cites modern tuning “E,A,D,G” for Violono ]

Vol. 10 (1824) To-Zz
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Violon, p. 386 – Google Books 

[ A reprint of 1820 edition.  ]

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• Allgemeine Deutsche Real-Encyklopädie Für Die Gebildeten Stände: Conversations-lexicon. 7^th ed. 12 vols.  Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1827. (three prints:1827, 1830, 1830-31)

7^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes – Index of Volumes HHUD [ Second Printing ]

Vol. 2 (1830) Bo-C
Online View & Download – HHUD

Bogeninstrumenten, p. 12 – HHUD

[ cit. “die große Baßgeige oder der Contraviolon (violno gebr. contrabasso)” ]

Contrabaß, p. 860 – HHUD
Contraviolon, p. 862 – HHUD

Vol. 11 (1830) T-V
Online View & Download – HHUD

• Violon, pp. 727-728 – HHUD

[ cit. translated “3,4 and in some place still 5 stringed instruments in use” ]

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• Allgemeine Deutsche Real-Encyclopädie Für Die Gebildeten Stände (Conversations-Lexikon). 8^th ed. 12 vols. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1833-1837.

8^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 2 (1833) Bo-Cz
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Contrabaß, p. 851 – Google Books
Contraviolon, p. 853 – Google Books

Vol. 1 (1836) T-V
Online View & Download – Google Books

• Violon, p. 755 – Google Books

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• Allgemeine Deutsche Real-Encyclopädie Für Die Gebildeten Stände. Conversations-Lexikon. 9^th ed. 15 vols. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1843-1848.

9^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 2 (1843) Balde – Buchhandel
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Baß, Contraviolon, p. 97 – Google Books

Vol. 15 (1847) Sueven – Viterbo
Online View & Download – Google Books 

• Violon, p. 755 – Google Books

[ cit. translated: “lately (itself) has also been used for solo performances” ]

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• Allgemeine deutsche Real-Encyklopädie für die gebildeten Stände. Conversations-Lexikon. 10^th ed. 15 vols. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1851-1855.

10^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 2 (1851) Atmosphäre – Blutgefäße
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Baß, Contraviolon, p. 337 – Google Books

Vol. 15, 1^st Part (1855)
Online View & Download – Google Books 

• Violon, p. 574 – Google Books

[ cit. translated: “usually strung with three strings, in Germany with four, elsewhere with five” ]

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• Allgemeine deutsche Real-Encyklopädie für die gebildeten Stände. Conversations-Lexikon. 11^th ed. 15 vols. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1864-1868.

11^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 2 (1864) Arago – Belgrad
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Baß, Contraviolon, pp. 772-773 – Google Books

Vol. 15 (1868) Venen – Zwolle
Online View & Download – Google Books 

• Violon, p. 141 – Google Books

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• Conversations-Lexikon. Allgemeine deutsche Real-Encyklopädie. 12^th ed. 15 vols. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1875-1879.

12^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 2 (1875) Appetit – Bauschulen
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Baß, Contraviolon, p. 944 – Google Books

Vol. 15 (1868) Vegesack – Zwornik
Online View & Download –

Violon, p. ?

[ following the patern of previous editions, vol. 15 should offer the Violone entry, yet the online copy of this volume was not located ]

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• Conversations-Lexikon. Allgemeine deutsche Real-Encyklopädie. 13^th ed. 16 vols. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1882-1887.

13^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 10 (1885) Kadett – Lenzkirch
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

• Kontrabaß, p. 505 – Internet Archive
_Kontraviolon, p. 507 – Internet Archive

Vol. 16 (1887) Uhu – Z
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

• Violon, p. 281 – Internet Archive

[ It is fascinating to note that both Kontrabaß and Violon entries contain essentially the same information, which refers to modern Double Bass. Perhaps that may be an indication that both terms meant the same in the late 19^th century German-speaking realm. ]

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• Brockhaus’ Konversations-Lexikon. 14^th ed. 16 vols. Leipzig: F. A. Brockhaus, 1892-1896.

14^th edition – Info & Index of Volumes

Vol. 10 (1894) K – Lebensversicherung
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

• Kontrabaß, Kontraviolon, p. 604 – Internet Archive

Vol. 16 (1895) Uhu – Z
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

Violon, p. 349 – Internet Archive 

[ Violon in this edition points to Kontra-(Violon) ]

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The 15^th and later editions fit under the copyright law. Thus the bass entries in these editions will await a manual indexing in future.
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Chambers – Cyclopaedia (1728) – Info

Chambers, Ephraim (c1680-1740) [ editor / writer ] – Info – LC Authority

• Cyclopaedia, Or, an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences: Containing the Definitions of the Terms, and Accounts of the Things Signify’d Thereby, in the Several Arts, Both Liberal and Mechanical, and the Several Sciences, Human and Divine : the Figures, Kinds, Properties, Productions, Preparations, and Uses, of Things Natural and Artificial : the Rise, Progress, and State of Things Ecclesiastical, Civil, Military, and Commercial : with Several Systems, Sects, Opinions, &c. Among Philosophers, Divines, Mathematicians, Physicians, Antiquaries, Criticks, &c. : the Whole Intended As a Course of Antient and Modern Learning : Compiled from the Best Authors, Dictionaries, Journals, Memoirs, Transactions, Ephemerides, &c. in Several Languages. 2 vols. London: Printed for James and John Knapton [ and 19 others ], 1728.

Online View – University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries  

Bass-Viol, vol. 1, p. 89 – Internet Archive
Violone, vol. 2.  p. 307 – University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries  – Internet Archive

[ contained within the Violin heading, at the end of the article ]

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Coleridge – Encyclopædia Metropolitana (1845) – Info

• Encyclopædia Metropolitana. 26 vols. London: B. Fellowes, [and 20 others]. [1817-] 1845.

Coleridge, Samuel Taylor (1772-1834) [ initial editor and organizer ] – Info

Vol. 5 (1845) [ Mixed Sciences, Vol. 3 ]
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Compas of Scales, for Orchestral Instruments and Human Voice, p. 772 – Hathiturst

[ Features a Double Bass range as well. For easier viewing, sellect “Rotate Right” option at the bootom righ on the Hathitrust Viewer ]

[ This table was printed within the “Music” article pp. 685-779 that unfrotunately offers no other remarks on general stringed or bass instruments ]

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Coronelli – Biblioteca Universale Sacro-Profana (1701-1707) – Info

Coronelli, Vincenzo Maria (1650-1718) [ editor / writer / organizer ] – Info – LC Authority

• Biblioteca Universale Sacro-Profana, Antico-Moderna, In Cui Si Spiega Con Ordine Alfabetico Ogni Voce, Anco Straniera, Che Può Avere Significato Nel Nostro Idioma Italiano, Appartenente A’ Qualunque Materia.  7 vols. Venezia: Antonio Tivani, 1701-1707.

Vol. 5 (1704) Ba-Bh
Online View & Download – Google Books

1709. Basseto, col. 560 – Google Books

[ summary – a part more suitable to Viloncello than the heavier Violone, a  Contrabaſso ]

1728. Basso, col. 563 – Google Books

[ cit. translated freely: “a part that is not solely intended for voice but also serves the instrumental parts of (cites instruments) … Violone, Violoncello e ſimili” ]

[ note, the number preceeding the entry name siginifies a chornological number of the entry, not the year ]

[ unfortunately only seven volumes of this encyclopedia have been published, thus the “Contrabasso” and “Violone” entries have never been covered. The 7^th and the last “C” volume covers only “Ca-Caque” entries, thus comes short of  the “Contrabassso” too ]

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Croker – The Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (1764-1766) – Info

Croker, Temple Henry (1730-c1790) – Info – LC Authority

• The Complete Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. In Which The Whole Circle of Human Learning is Explained, And The Difficulties Attending The Acquisition of Every Art, Whether Liberal or Mechanical, are Removed, In The Most Easy And Familiar Manner. 3 vols. London: Printed for the Authors, 1764-1766.

Although the title indicates a Dictionary, many sources class this work as an encyclopaedia.

Vol. 1 (1766)
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Bass, col. BAS, vol. 1 : Counter Bass  – Hathitrust [ Top of the page – right side ]
Bass-Viol, col BAS, vol. 1 – Hathitrust

Vol. 3  (1766)
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Violoncello, col. VIP, vol. 3 – Hathitrust

[ “half the size of the common bass-violin” ]

Violone, col. VIP, vol. 3 – Hathitrust

[ “double baſs, almoſt twice as big as the common baſs-violin” ]

[ these two entries leave an impression that the “baſs-violin” is a middle sized instrument that stands between Violoncello and Double Bass/Violone ]

[ cited also under ABP General Dictionaries ]

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Diderot – Encyclopédie (1751-1772) – Info – LC Authority

Diderot, Denis (1713-1784) [ co-founder / chief editor ] – Info – LC Authority

• Encyclopédie, Ou Dictionnaire Raisonné Des Sciences, Des Arts Et Des Métiers. 17 vols. text, 11 vols. illustrations. Paris: Briasson, 1751-1772. 

Translated: Encyclopedia, or a Systematic Dictionary of the Sciences, Arts, and Crafts.

Note – The indexing and cross-reference of musical instruments, including their depictions and ranges, is probably the most complex one that you will find in any encyclopaedia. Both the original edition, and the online edition by the Acadmie-Sciences, offer numerous references that relate to the entires in both the 17 volumes of printed text, and the 11 volumes of plates with illustrations. Figuring all the links to all the entries may appear tasking at the times, however it certainly is worthwhile in order to identify all the referenced bass instruments featured in this magnificent work.

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Encyclopédie Online, Home Page, Index of All Volumes – Academie-Sciences

Vol. II Text (1752) B-Cez
Online View – Academie-Sciences

Basse de Viole, p. 120, left column, Article 4 – Academie-Sciences

[ This is a 7 stringed Bass Viol instrument with lower range in the 16 foot register. See also Viole, Baſſe de in vol. XVII cited below as it appears to be the same instrument. Also see Plate XXII for instrument range ] 

Basse des Italiens, p. 120, right column, Article 7 – Academie-Sciences 

[ cit. translation: “The same instrument that we (the French) call Basse de Violon.”  See below” ]

Basse de Violon, p. 120, right column, Article 8 – Academie- Sciences

[ Refers to violin shaped bass instrument with C holes instead of  S (F) holes, that is build on the violin shaped mold represented in Fig. (1)2 Plate XII . Within the Plate XX Table du Rapport de l’étendue des Instrumens however, it is reffered as Base des Italiens ou Violoncelle and its tuning corresponds to modern Violoncello ]

Basse-Contre, p. 120, right column, Article 10 – Academie- Sciences 

[ Refers to vocal bass that sings the “basse-contre” part ]

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Vol. IV Text (1754) Cons -Diz
Online View – Academie-Sciences 

Contre-Basse, p. 131 – Academie-Sciences

[ An instrument presented in Pate XI Fig. 6 and with range presented at Plate XX Table du Rapport de l’étendue des Instrumens . It is interesting to note that while the drawing features a 4 stringed instrument, the cited Contre Basse  tunings within the Violons (Violins) heading are a 3 stringed Italian “fiths tuning, G₁, D, A” , a “Viennese” here characterized as Allemands, 5 string tuning F₁, A₁, D, F#, A ; and an atypical 3 (or 4) string tuning B₁, F, c, (g) that may be associated with bass violin as well * ]

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Vol. XVII Text (1765) Vene- Z
Online View – Academie-Sciences

Viole – Viole, Baſſe de ( Inſtrument de Muſique ), starts left column, pp. 311-313 – Academie-Sciences

[ Appears to be the same Basse de Viole cited in Vol. II p. 120 (above) yet covered in musch greater detail, with fingering table on p. 311 and the actual notate range on p. 312 that clearly shows an instrument reaching in the 16 foot range. The range of this instrument is also featured at Plate XXII Table with Voice and Instrument Ranges under Violes heading and designated as Baße.  Its tuning is A₁, D, G, c, e, a, d’ * ]

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Vol. V Tables, Luthiere (1767)
Online View – Academie-Sciences

Index of Plates in Vol. 5 Tables, Luthiere – Academie-Sciences

[ Note. The organisation of plates in this volume, presents repetitions in the numbering system. When quoting this source, always quote the Plate number and the entire title behind the plate, otherwise a confusion may result as there are two Plates XI in this volume: one for the Organ and one for Stringed Instruments ]

Plate XI, Instrumens qui se touchent avec l’archet. 

Instruments Played With a Bow
Online view – Academie-Sciences [ Text and Image scan ]
Online view – Academie-Sciences [ Text / Index of Instruments – Book Scan only]
Online view – Academie-Sciences [ Image – Book Scan only ]

[ Fig. 1 presents Basse de Viole, a Viola da Gamba type of instrument. Fig. 6 present the Contre-basse (Double Bass)  in the 4 string setup (see below). The bass endpin of Contre-basse appears as if cut by the picture editor?  There is no Violoncello depicted, only indicated in the index. Fig. 10 presents Trompette Marine (Tromba Marina). Judging by the image size of Contre-basse as related to Trompette Marine  these images are not represented to the actuall scale. Perhaps the idea was to offer more of an illustration of their general appearance than to offer a size reference. ]

Plate XXII, Table du Rapport de’ Lettendue des Voix et des Instrumens de Musique comparés de Clavecin. 

A Table with Voice and Instrument Ranges
Online view – Academie-Sciences [ Text and Image scan ]
Online view – Academie-Sciences [ Text / Description) – Book Scan only ]
Online view – Academie-Sciences [ Image – Book Scan only ] 

Under the term “Violons” (Violins) the table designates three double bass tunings starting under the Basse des Italiens ou Violoncelle line:

• 1^st Unknown – B₁, F, c, (g) * – Translated: ContreBasse, some sound the fifth the others the octave below the bass. The highest two strings are labeled both with no. 1 number thus perhaps implying a 3 and 4 string instruments with a variable tuning.

• 2^nd Viennese – F₁, A₁, D, F#, A – Translated: The best way to accompany the double bass following the Germans. The contraction “d’acc” may imply “to tune.”

• 3^rd Italian – G₁, D, A – Translated: The Contre Basse of Italians sounds an Octave below their bass and in unison of the 16 feet. “Their” here most likely stands in reference to Basse des Italiens entry which is in fact the equivalent of Violoncello as cited above.

In respect to all other stringed instruments the only other instrument capable of reaching the low F₁ of the Viennese bass instrument, is the Archilute. That F₁ is also the lowest compas of the entire table. According to this citation it appears that the Viennese instrument and its tuning were familiar and possibly even used by the French at the time this volume was printed in 1767.

In respect to iconography as presented in the image of Contre-Basse at Fig 6. Plate XI , and cited at Fig. 6 Plate XI Index , this instrument features 4 strings, and the only tuning corresponding to the 4 string setup in the Table with Instrument Ranges above, is perhpas the B₁, F, c, (g) tuning. Thus likely a depicted Contre Basse may be this smaller and higher tuned version of the French double basses of the time.  ]

* All pitches cited here follow the Pitch Scale Table system presented on the ABP Treatises page

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Bibliography

Dart, Thurston. “Musical Instruments in Diderot’s Encyclopaedia.” The Galpin Society Journal, vol. 6, 1953, pp. 109-111.  JSTOR – ttps:/www.jstor.org/stable/841729

[ The Viennese tuning citation “F₁, A₁, D, F♮, A” should read the F string with the # (sharp) not the ♮ (natural). As printed on p. 110 ]

Halfpenny, Eric. “Diderot’s Tunings for the Violin Family.” The Galpin Society Journal, vol. 27, 1974, pp. 15-20. JSTOR – https:/www.jstor.org/stable/841750

[ Implies a misprint for the first double bass entry and suggests it to read as B♭’, F, c, g – a tuning that he associates with “Playford’s “Bass Violin.” The article leaves an impression that the sources used to create these mid-18^th century plates and accompanying decriptions of instruments, may rely on much older 17^th centrury source. It is however plausible that the contemporary Paris was well informed of, and perhaps even incorporating the latest foreign bass instruments from neigbouring nations at the time of printing too ]

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Dobson – Encyclopædia (1790-1797) – Info

Dobson, Thomas (1751-1823) [ publisher ] – Info – LC Authority

• Encyclopaedia : or, A dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature; Constructed on a Plan, by Which the Different Sciences and Arts are Digested into the Form of Distinct Treatises of Systems. Philadelphia: Printed by Thomas Dobson, 1790-1797.

Largely a reprint of the 3^rd edition of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Vol. 3 (1798) Bar-Bzo
Online View & Download – Google Books

Bass – Counter-Bass, p. 58 – Google Books
Bass – Bass Viol, p. 58 – Google Books

[ Note. All volumes show 1798 as a print year ]

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Encyclopædia Britannica (1768- ) – Info – History & Editions – Editions UPenn OBP

• Encyclopædia Britannica, or, A Dictionary of Arts and Sciences, compiled upon a New Plan. 1^st ed.  3 vols. Edinburgh: Printed for A. Bell and C. Macfarquhar and ſold by Colin Macſarquhar at his Printing-office, Nicolſon-street, 1768-1771.

1^st edition – Info 1 – Info 2 & Index of Volumes – NLS

Vol. 1 (1771) A-B
Online View & Download – NLS

Bass – Counter-Bass, p. 527 – NLS

Vol. 3 (1771) M-Z
Online View & Download – NSL

Violone, p. 924 – NSL 

[ cit. “a double baſs, almoſt twice as big as the common baſs violin” ]

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• Encyclopaedia Britannica: Or, a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, &c. on a Plan Entirely New. 2^nd ed.  10 vols. Edinburgh: Printed for J. Balfour and Co. W. Gordon, 1778-1783.

2^nd edition – Info 1 – Info 2 & Index of Volumes – Index of Volumes Hathitrust (incomplete) 

Vol. 1 where the “Bass – Counter Bass” entry could be located was unavaliable online. 

[ “Violone” is no loger to be found in this edition, only the Violoncello in vol. 10 (1783). Violoncello is  characterized as “a little baſs violin, half the size of the common baſs violin” and yet “its sound is an octave lower then our baſs violin.” This however begs for clarification of whether a “common baſs violin” may represent a type of Violone or even Double Bass in our modern sense ]

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• Encyclopædia Britannica : or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature : Constructed on a Plan, by Which the Different Sciences and Arts are Digested into the Form of Distinct Treatises or Systems. 3^rd ed. 18 vols. Edinburgh : Printed for A. Bell and C. MacFarquhar, 1788-1797.

3^rd edition – Info 1 – Info 2 – Index of Volumes UPenn – Index of Volumes Hathitrust

Vol. 3 (1797) Barbarus – Bzovius
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Bass – Counter-Bass, p. 58 – Internet Archive
Bass – Bass Viol, p. 58 – Internet Archive

[ “Violone” is no loger to be found in this edition, only the Violoncello in vol 13. A reprint from 2^nd edition – see above ]

[ Note. Although the development of the 3^rd edition took over a decade, all volumes were printed unformly with the year 1797 ]

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• Encyclopædia Britannica : or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature. 4^th ed. 20 vols. Edinburgh : Printed by Andrew Bell, the Proprietor, 1800-1810.

4^th edition – Info – Index of Volumes UPenn

Vol. 3 (1810) Association – Book
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Bass – Counter-Bass, p. 448 – Internet Archive
Bass – Bass Viol, p. 448 – Internet Archive

[ a Violoncello entry in vol. 20 is a reprint from the 3^rd edtion, see above]

[ similarly to the development and printing of the 3^rd edition, all volumes were printed unformly with the year 1810 ]

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• Encyclopaedia Britannica : or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature. 5^th ed. 20 volumes. Edinburgh : Printed at the Encyclopaedia Press, for Archibald Constable and Company, 1815-1817.

5^th edition – Info – Index of Volumes Hathitrust

[ this edition is essentially a reprint of the 4^th edition with some corrections. For bass relatd items see 4^th edition above. ]

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• Encyclopaedia Britannica : or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature, Enlarged and Imporved. 6^th ed. 20 volumes (40 half volumes). London: Printed for Archibald Constable and Company, 1823.

6^th edition – Info – Index of Volumes UPenn 

Vol. 3 (1823)
Online View & Download – Hathitrust 

Bass – Counter-Bass, p. 448 – Hathitrust
Bass – Bass Viol, p. 448 – Hathitrust 

[ bass entries are a reprint from the 4^th edition ]

[ the entire 6^th edition is a remake of the 4^th edition thus the bass entries remain unchanged ]

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Supplement to 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Edtitons 1824 – Info 1 – Index of Volumes Hathitrust

• Supplement to Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Edtitons of the Encyclopaedia Britannicawith Preiliminary Dissertations on the History of the Sciences. Vols. 21-26 printed. Edinburgh : for Archibald Constable and Company, 1824.

[ Unable to locate any new entries on Bass, “Contra” or Violone (or similar) in these supplement volumes ]

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• Encyclopaedia Britannica : or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature. 7^th ed. 21 vols. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, 1830-1842.

7^th edition – Info – Index of Volumes Hathitrust

Vol. 4 (1842)
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Bass – Counter-Bass, p. 432 – Hathitrust
Bass – Bass Viol, p. 432 – Hathitrust 

[ these bass entries are still the reprints, although in a new typeset, of the originals from the third edition ]

Vol. 15 (1842)
Online View & Download – Hathitust

Music – Double Basses, p. 613 – Hathitrust

[ a typical Double Bass entry, otherwise also presenting an advice on bass wiriting too – cit. “In writing for the double bass, rapid passages ought to be avoided, because they produce no effect, but only a confused noise” ]

Music – Table of the Compases of Voices and Instruments, p. 618 – Hathitrust

[ This table indeed offers a compas of Dobule bass at actual non transposed pitches. The lower limit appears in three variants that are limited by arrows: “C” (an octave lower then cello, “E” (modern 4 stringer lowest string) and a “G.” The upper compass ends with “D” in 5^th position ]

Vol. 21 (1842)
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Violone, p. 653 – Hathitrust

[ it is fascinating to note that Violone suddenly appears in 1842 edition while it was absent form all previous editions so far (!) Violone here refers to Contrabass or Double Bass, and points for them in the article on “Music” (above) ]

[ Note. All volumes printed with the year 1842 indicated. ]

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• Encyclopaedia Britannica : or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Miscellaneous Literature. 8^th ed. 21 vols. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, 1853-1860.

8^th edition – Info – Index of Volumes Hathitrust

Vol. 15 (1858)
Online View & Download – Hathitust

Music – Double Basses, p. 709 – Hathitrust

[ A reprint form 7^th edition ]

Music – (Orchestra sections) – Hathitrust

[ Mentions the size of bass section of Opera in Berlin and indicates that all were smaller four stringed basses with exception on the pricipal that is a large 5 stringed instrument. Also the bass section of the Grand Opera at Paris, and indicates how many basses and of what stringing were in use then ]

Music – Table of the Compases of Voices and Instruments, p. 714 – Hathitrust

[ A table that presents a compas of Dobule bass at actual non transposed pitches. A reprint of the 7^th edition. See coments with the 7^th edition ]

Vol. 21 (?)
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Violone, p. 592 – Hathitrust

[ a reprint of the 7^th edition ]

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• Encyclopaedia Britannica : or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General Literature. 9^th ed. 25 vols. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, 1875-1889.

9^th edition – Info – Index of Volumes in Hathitrust – Index of Volumes Wikisource 

* For reasons unknown (and unless mistaken) the double bass and related bass entries have been relocated to the Violin entry in the 9^th edition. Thus although the text is focused on Violin as instrument, it also presents an abbreviated history of all bowed stringed instruments along with the other “Violin Family” members, including Viols.

Vol. 24 (1887)
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Violin, Double Bass Viol, p. 243 – Internet Archive

[ The Double Bass coverage starts at the bootom of left column on p. 243 with “Double Bass Viol – side title, and continues with the top of right column. The source of the 6 strings Double Bass Viol in A is not cited. This section ends with the “Developent of the Viols” side title. ]

Violin, Basso da Camera, p. 245 – Internet Archive

[ the text for “Basso da Camera” is nested in the “Tenor Violin and Violoncello” side title, top of p. 245. Basso da Camera is characterised as “tuned fourth below the Violoncello” with Dragonetti and Hancook being the known musicinas bassist who perfomed on it.

Violin, Reprinted Text – 1902 Encyclopaedia 

[ A whole web site titled “1902 Encyclopaedia” is dedictaed to the 9^th and 10^th editions of Encyclopaedia Bitannica, and here we have an acces to clear text of the Violin chapter as well. Unoftunately only the text without the tunings examples ]

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• Encyclopaedia Britannica : or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General Literature. 10^th ed. 30 vols. Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black, 1903.

10^th edition (Supplement to the 9^th edition) – Info – Index of Volumes in Hathitrust

The 10 th edition is essentially a reprint of 9^th edition with several supplental volumes added to the total count. Those new supplemental volumes offer no new entries, but still point to the Violin article for Violin and Violoncello entries. The pagination suggests that it is a reprint. Unfortunately the Hathitrust offers no acces to Vol. 24, thus it is assumed that the 9^th Edition entries are the same as in the 10^th Edition, as indicated in the Wikipedia Info section.

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• Encyclopaedia Britannica : or, A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Literature. 11^th ed. 29 vols. New York: Cambridge University Press / Encyclopaedia Britannica Company, 1910-1911.

11^th edition – Info 1 – Info 2 and Index of Volumes – Index of Volumes UPenn – Index of Volumes Hathitrust

Vol. 8 (1910) Demijohh – Edward
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

Double bass, p. 440-441 – Internet Archive – Project Guttenberg [ as a clear text of the 11the edition double bass entry]

[ this entry mentions a unique D,G,D,G tuning of Mr. A.C. White, among the other known tunings ]

Vol. 28 (1911) Vetch – Zymotic Diseases
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Violin, Basso da Camera, p. 106 – Internet Archive

[ The “Basso da Camera” entry apperas to be a reprint from the 9^th edition, however in a new typeset. Otherwise, the Double Bass now has it own entry, see above ]

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• Encyclopaedia Britannica : A New Survey of Universal Knowledge. 14^th ed. 23 vols. plus index volume. New York: Cambridge University Press / Encyclopaedia Britannica Company, 1929.

14^th edition – Info 1

Vol. 7 (1929) Damsacus – Education Bureau of
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Double Bass, p. 548 – Internet Archive

[ Now for the first time even with a drawing, also cit. “Double Bass, Last surviving representative of the earlier viols.” ]

[ The Vol 23. that may contain a Violone entry was  not located online ]

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The 15^th and later editions fit under the copyright law. Thus the bass entries in these editions will await a manual indexing in future.
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Encyclopaedia Britannica – Online (2008) – Info

Online View & Search – Encyclopaedia Britannica

Double Bass – Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Ersch / Gruber – Allgemeine Encyclopädie der Wissenschaften und Künste (1818-1889) – Info

Ersch, Johann Samuel (1766-1828) [ founder / editor ] – Info – LC Authority
Gruber, Johann Gottfried (1774-1851) [ editor ] – Info – LC Authority

• Allgemeine Encyclopädie der Wissenschaften und Künste. Leipzig: Johann Friedrich Gleditsch, 1818-1889.

The Allgemeine Encyclopädie was one of the most ambitious encyclopedic projects ever envisioned, yet in spite of the publication time-span of some 71 years, it was unfortunately not completed with its last volume in 1889. That last volume reached only to the Phyxios entry, thus although the below cited entries in Vols. 8 and 12 refer to the Violone entry in text, the publication never reached the “V” volume and the Violone entry never got printed.

Index of Volumes – SUB Göttingen 

Vol. 8 (1822) Bas – Bendorf
Online View & Download – SUB Göttingen 

Baß, name, p. 46 – SUB Göttingen

[ cit. translated “With the name bass, one designates sometimes the one or the other instrumet, partucularly the Contraviolon and also the Violoncello. Thus we call a perfomer, a Contraviolonist or a Violoncellist.  ] 

Baß, teutscher, p. 46 – SUB Göttingen

[ cir. translated – “ Bass Fiddle with 4 to 6 or more strings, which in size stands  between the the Violon or so called Contrabass, and the Violoncello. These days one considers under this name any Violon of the smaller size. See Violon. ]

Vol. 21 (1830) Nachträge Caberea – Cryptostoma
Online View & Download – SUB Göttingen

Contrabass, p. 340 – SUB Göttingen

[ cit. translated “this name designates the large Violon or Contraviolon” ]

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Good – Pantologia, A New Cyclopaedia (1813) – Info

Good, John Mason ( 1764-1827) [ Editor ] – Info

• Pantologia, A New Cyclopædia, Comprehending a Complete Series of Essays, Treatises and Systems, Alphabetically Arranged ;  With a General Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Words: The Whole Representing a Distinct Survey of Human Genius, Learning and Industry, Illustrated with Elegant Engravings ; Those on Natural History being from Original Drawings by Edwards and Others, and beautifully Coloured after Nature. 12 vols. London: Printed for G. Karlsey [and 19 others], 1813.

Index of Volumes – Hathitrust

Vol. 2 (1813) Bar – Caz.
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Bass-counter, or Contra-bass, col. BAS – Hathitrust

Vol. 4 (1813) D – Flu.
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

DOUBLE-BASS, or Violono, col. DOU – Hathitrust

Vol. 12 (1813) U – Zyt.
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Violono, col. VIR (should be VIO, but we all make mistakes) – Hathitrust

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Hebenstreit – Wissenschaftlich-literarische Encyklopädie der Aesthetik (1843)

Hebenstreit, Wilhelm (1774-1854) – Info – LC Authority

• Wissenschaftlich-literarische Encyklopädie der Aesthetik : Ein Etymologisch-Kritisches Wörterbuch der Ästhetischen Kunstsprache. 1^st ed. Wien: Carl Gerold, 1843.

Online View – MDZ 1 – MDZ 2 – Manuscriptorium – Google Books [ some pages missing ]

Contrabaß, p. 156 – MDZ – Manuscriptorium
Contraviolon, p. 158 – MDZ – Manuscriptorium
Violone, p. 854 – MDZ –  Manuscriptorium

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• Wissenschaftlich-literarische Encyklopädie Der Aesthetik, Ein Etymologisch-Kritisches Wörterbuch Der Ästheti-Heschen Kunstprache, Von Dr. Wilhelm Hebenstreit. Zweite Wohlfeile Ausgabe. 2^nd ed. Wien: C. Gerold, 1848.

Online View & Download – Google Books 

Contrabaß, p. 156 – Google Books
Contraviolon, p. 158 – Google Books
Violone, p. 854 – Google Books

[ bass related entries appear to be a reprint from 1843 edition ]

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Harris – The Minor Encyclopedia (1803) – Info

Harris, Thaddeus Mason (1768-1842) [ compiler ] – Info – LC Authority

• The Minor Encyclopedia, Or, Cabinet of General Knowledge: Being a Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Polite Literature. 4 vols. Boston: Printed for West & Greenleaf by Manning & Loring, 1803.

Vol. 4 (1803)
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Viol IV. Violone, p. 254 – Google Books 

[ Violone here cited under Viols as “No. IV” type of instrument ]

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Höpfner – Deutsche Encyclopädie / Frankfurter Enzyklopädie (1778-1807) – Info

Höpfner, Ludwig Julius Friedrich (1743-1797) – Info – LC Authority

• Deutsche Encyclopädie oder Allgemeines Real-Wörterbuch aller Künste und Wissenschaften. 23 vols. 1 vol. of Plates. Frankfurt am Main: Varrentrapp und Wenner, 1778-1807.

Vol. 6 (1782) Coa. – Dec
Online View & Download – MDZ

Contrabaß, vol. 6, p. 302 – MDZ

[ The last volume with text entries – No. 23,  was apperently published in 1804 and it covered entries Kre to Ky. The last volume in total (No. 24) featured the plates with illustartions and was published in 1807. It apperas that this Encyclopädie  never reached the “V” section that could offer any Violone entry. ]

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Jablonski – Allgemeines Lexicon der Künste und Wissenschaften (1721-1767) – Info – Info editions

Jablonski, Johann Theodor (1654-1731) – Info – VIAF Authority

• Allgemeines Lexicon der Künste und Wissenschafften. 1^st ed. Leipzig: Thomas Fritsch, 1721.

Online View & Download – MDZ – MDZ 2

Baß-geige, Baſſe de viole, p. 71 – MDZ

[ an instrument stringed with 5 strings ]

Fidel, Geige, p. 205 – MDZ

[ cit. translated – “pending on the size it serves all four voices.” By the end of the section: “The Bass Fiddle is very large and strung with five or six strings, stands on the ground (and) held between legs when played” ]

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• Allgemeines Lexicon der Künste und Wissenschafften. 2^nd ed. Königsberg und Leipzig: Johann Heinrich Hartung, 1748.

Vol. 1 A-M
Online View & Download – MDZ

Baß geige, p. 109 – MDZ

[ an instrument stringed with 5 strings ]

Geigen, p. 373 – MDZ

[ cites four different classes of Fiddles. The 4^th class includes Baſſetchen, Baßgeigen, Viola di Gamba etc.  From the cited text it appears that all of stringed instruments, whether of violin or viol family, belong to the general term of Geigen, or Fiddles in English ]

Violon, p. 1284 – MDZ

[ cit. eine große Baßgeige ]

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• Allgemeines Lexicon der Künste und Wissenschafften. 3^rd ed. Königsberg: Zeisens Wittwe und Hartungs Erben, 1767.

Vol. 1 A-M
Online View & Download – MDZ – ULB Halle    [ MDZdarker scan ] 

Baßgeige, p. 157 – MDZ

[ cit. translated – “a very large Fiddle strung with five strings” / followed in thext by Baſſe double description cit. translated – “Baſſe double is the name for one that is almost twice as big as one common French Bass Fiddle, and which consequently sounds an octave lower” ]

Contrabaß, p. 330 – MDZ 

[ refers to 32 foot organ stop ]

Geigen, p. 510 – MDZ

[ cites several different sized Fiddles that correpsond to violin and likwise smaller and larger stringed instruments – including Baſſetchen, Baßgeigen, Viola di Gamba etc.  From the cited text it appears that all of stringed instruments, whether of violin or viol family, belong to the general term of Geigen, or Fiddles in English ]

Vol. 2 R-Z
Online View & Download – MDZ

Violon, p. 1659 – MDZ

[ cit. eine große Baßgeige ]

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Larousse – Grand Dictionnaire Universel du XIXe Siècle (1866-1876) – Info

Larousse, Pierre (1817-1875) – Info – LC Authority

• Grand Dictionnaire Universel du XIXe Siècle.  15 vols. 2 supplement vols. Paris: Administration du Grand Dictionnaire Universel, 1866-1876.

Vol. 5 (1869) Contre – Czyzowsk
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Contre-Basse, p. 4, (1^st and 2^nd column) – Internet Archive

[ this scan needs larger amount of augmentation in order to make the text legible ]

Vol. 15 (1876) Testamnet – Zz
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Violonar, p. 1092 (last column, bottom) – Internet Archive

[ refers to Contrebasse ]

Violone, p. 1093 (third coulmn, middle) – Internet Archive

[ cit. “contre-basse des violes” ]

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Larousse – Nouveau Larousse Illustré (1897-1904) – Info

Larousse, Pierre (1817-1875) – Info – LC Authority

• Nouveau Larousse Illustré. 7 vols. 1 suppl. vol. Paris: Librarie Larousse, 1897-1904.

Vol. 3 (1898) Ci-D
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Contrebasse, p. 239, (1^st and 2^nd column) – Internet Archive

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Larousse – Encyclopédie – Online (2008) – Info

Online View & Search – Larousse

Contrebasse – Larousse
Violone – Larousse

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Lieber – Encyclopaedia Americana (1829-1833) – Info

Lieber, Francis (1800-1872) [ editor ] – Info – LC Authority

• Encyclopædia Americana: A Popular Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature, History, Politics and Biography, Brought Down to the Present Time; Including a Copious Collection of Original Articles in American Biography on the Basis of the Seventh Edition of the German Conversations-Lexikon. Ed. by Francis Lieber, assisted by E. Wigglesworth and T.G. Bradford. 13 vols. 1 suppl. vol. Philadelphia: Carey & Lea, 1829-1833.

Index of Volumes – Hathitrust

Vol. 9 (1832)
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Obligato, vol. 9, p. 362 – Hathitrust

[ The second part of the paragraph presents the suitability of double bass for obligato passages. It concludes that “There are some musicians who play solos on double bass.” ]

Vol. 12 (1832)
Online View – Hathitrust

• Violono, vol. 12, p. 576-577 – Hathitrust

[ This “Violono” entry is an actual translation of the “Violon” entry from the Brockhaus’ Conversation-Lexikon 7^th edition of 1827. Should you wish to compare the Brockhaus original with the Lieber’s translation, please be velcom to visit the Conversation-Lexikon 7^th Edition on this very page. Otherwise, Lieber rightly translates that “In Germany it has generally four, in some places five strings”, which at this time of the early 1830s most certainly refers to the Viennese tuned 5 stringed instrument, that was getting out of use in Germany. Whether any specimens of this bass type ever reached America in the early 19^th centutry, can not be proven yet. ]

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• Encyclopædia Americana: A Popular Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature, History, Politics and Biography, A New Edition; Including a Copious Collection of Original Articles in American Biography on the Basis of the Seventh Edition of the German Conversations-Lexikon. Ed. by Francis Lieber, assisted by E. Wigglesworth and T.G. Bradford. 2^nd ed. 13 vols. 1 suppl. vol. Boston: B.B. Mussey & Co., 1851.

Index of Volumes – UPenn  

Vol. 9 (1851)
Online View – MOA

Obligato, vol. 9, p. 362 – MOA

[ The second part of the paragraph desribes the suitability of double bass for obligato passages. It concludes that “There are some musicians who play solos on double bass.” ]

Vol. 12 (1851)
Online View – MOA

Violono, vol. 12, p. 576-577 – MOA

[ It appears that all bass related entries in the Boston 1851 edition, are a reprint of the original Philadelphia edition ]

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Löbel – Conversations-Lexikon (1796-1808) – Info – Info de

Löbel, Renatus Gotthelf (1767-1799) – Info – VIAF Authority

Although the title indicates a Dictionary, many sources class this work as an encyclopaedia. This work has also served as a basis for famus Brockhaus line of encyclopedias, since Brockhaus bouth the rights on this work before incorporating it in his own famous Conversations-Lexikon / Encyklopädie.

• Conversations-Lexikon mit vorzüglicher Rücksicht auf die gegenwärtigen Zeiten.  8 vols. Leipzig: Friedrich August Leopold, 1796-1808.

Index of Volumes at Enzyklothek

Vol. 1 (1796) A-C
Online View & Download – MDZ

Der Baß / Instrumental Musik, p. 127-128 – MDZ

[ p. 128 cit. der Baß (auch Violono) genant – cites a modern 4 string bass E, A, D, G tuning. Also der kleinere Baß (Baſſetto, aber gevönhlich Violoncello genant) – cites Violoncello with its modern C,G,D,A tuning ]

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Low – The New and Complete American Encyclopædia (1805-1811) – Info

Low, John (1762-1816) [ publisher / likely the editor too ] – LC Authority

• The New and Complete American Encyclopædia or Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. 7 vols. New York: John Low, 1805-1811.

Vol. 2 (1806)
Online View & Download – Google Books

Bass, p. 52 – Google Books

[ cit. “played on an instrument larger than ordinary” ]

Baff Counter, p. 53 – Google Books

[ cit. “designates a second or double baff where there are several in the saem concert” ]

Bass Viol, p. 53 – Google Books

[ cit. “of the same form with that of a violin, but much larger” ]

Basso Violo, p. 53 – Google Books
Basso Violino, p. 53 – Google Books

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Marsh – The Canadian Encyclopedia – Online (1999) – Info

Marsh, James Harley (1943) [ editor / organizer ] – Info – LC Authority

[ James Mash was responsible for organizing and editing all articles in all printed editions of The canadian Encyclopedia. It is assumed that many of these articles have been transferred to the online version as well ]

• The Canadian Encyclopedia – Online. 1999

Double Bass – The Canadian Encyclopedia  

[ created: September 25, 2007 / Last edit: June 25, 2014 ]

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Meyer – Conversations-Lexikon / Encyclopädie (1840-1852/1855) – Info eng – Info de

Meyer, Joseph (1796-1856) – Info – LC Authority
Bibliogprahisches Insitut – Hildburghausen and Leipzig – Info 

• Das Grosse Conversation-Lexicon Für Die Gebildeten Stande.  In Verbindung Mit Staatsmännern, Gelehrten, Künstlern Und Technikern. Edited by Joseph Meyer. Designated as initial edition. 23 vols and 6 supplement vols. see Info. Hildburghausen: Bibliographisches Institut, 1840-1855.

Index of Volumes – Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 1840

Vol. 18 (1851) Klappe – Kralwäsche
Online View & Download – MDZ

Kontra-Violon, Kontrabaß, vol. 18, p. 0251 – MDZ  

Vol. 14, Second Part (1852) Vico (Biogr.) – Wein
Online View & Download – MDZ  

Violon, 1) Violone, Kontraviolon,  vol. 14, p. 108-109 – MDZ

[ this entry repeats some of the data from Kontra-Violon title of vol. 14 and also brings up some new ]

Violoncello, (kleine Baßgeige), vol. 14, p. 109 – MDZ

[ Violoncello is cited here to point to its German staus as a Kleine Baßgeige , and also a period term that designates it ]

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• Neues Conversations-Lexikon für alle Stände. 1st ed. (official). 15 vols. Hildburghausen: Bibliographisches Institut, 1857-1860.

Index of Volumes – Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 1857

Vol. 10 (1859) I – Konstantin
Online View & Download – MDZ 

Kontrabaß, vol. 10, p. 25 – MDZ 

Vol. 15 (1860) Tscherkessen – Zzubin
Online View & Download – MDZ 

Violon, vol. 15, p. 443 – MDZ

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• Neues Konversations-Lexikon, ein Wörterbuch des Allgemeinen Wissens. 2^nd ed. 15 vols. Hildburghausen: Bibliographisches Institut, 1861-1867.

Index of Volumes – Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 1867 

Vol. 10 (1865) Kirschlorbeer – Macedonianer
Online View & Download – Google Books 

Kontrabaß, vol. 10, p. 229 – Google Books 

Vol. 15 (1867) Thee – Zzubin
Online View & Download – Google Books

• Violon, vol. 15, p. 497 – Google Books

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• Meyers Konversations-Lexikon. Eine Encyklopädie des Allgemeinen Wissens. 3^rd ed. 16 vols. Leipzig: Bibliographisches Institut, 1874-1878.

Index of Volumes – Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 1874 

Vol. 10 (1877) Kirschlorbeer – Macedonianer
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

• Kontrabaß, vol. 10, p. 241 – Internet Archive

Vol. 15 (1878) Tasmania – Zz
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Violone, vol. 15, p. 454 – Internet Archive

[ with this edition Violone is no longer the main entry for Kontrabass ]

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• Meyers Konversations-Lexikon. Eine Encyklopädie des Allgemeinen Wissens. 4^th ed. 16 vols. Leipzig: Bibliographisches Institut, 1885-1892.

Index of Volumes – Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 1885 – Retro Bibliothek 

Vol. 10 (1888) Königshofen – Luzon
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

• Kontrabaß, vol. 10, pp. 47-48 – Internet Archive – Retro Bibliothek  

Vol. 16 (1890) Uralsk – Zz
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

Violon/e, vol. 15, p. 220 – Internet Archive – Retro Bibliothek

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• Meyers Konversations-Lexikon. Ein Nachschlagewerk des allgemeinen Wissens. 5^th ed. 17 vols. Leipzig und Wien: Bibliographisches Institut, 1893-1897.

Index of Volumes – Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 1893

Vol. 10 (1895) Kaustik – Langenau
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

Kontrabaß, vol. 10, p. 512 – Internet Archive  

Vol. 17 (1897) Turkos – Zz
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

Violone, vol. 17, p. 345 – Internet Archive

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• Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon. Ein Nachschlagewerk des allgemeinen Wissens. 6^th ed. 20 vols. Leipzig und Wien:  Bibliographisches Institut, 1902-1908.

Index of Volumes – Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 1902 

Vol. 11 (1905) Kimpolung – Kyzikos
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

Kontrabaß, vol. 11, pp. 443-444 – Internet Archive 

Vol. 20 (1908) Veda – Zz
Online View & Download – Internet Archive 

Violone, vol. 20, p. 181 – Internet Archive

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Morison – Encyclopædia Perthensis (1796-1806) – Info

Morison, James (1762-1809) [ publisher / editor ] – Info – LC Authority

• Encyclopædia Perthensis ; or Universal Dictionary of Knowledge, Collected from Every Source: And Intended to Supersede the Use of All Other English Books of Reference. Illustrated with Plates and Maps. in Twenty Three Volumes. Perth: Printed for C. Mitchel and Co. and sold for them by Mr Thomas Ostell, Ave Maria Lane, London. Sold also by Mess. Vernor, Hood, and Sharpe, London, 1796-1806.

[ not available in free public access ]

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• Encyclopaedia Perthensis ; or Universal dictionary of the Arts, Sciences, Literature, &c. Intended to Supersede the Use of Other Books of Reference. 2^nd ed. 23 vols. Edinburgh: Printed by John Brown, 1816.

Index of Volumes – Hathitrust

Vol. 3 (1816)
Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Base-viol, p. 340 – Hathitrust

Bass [ presents and enumerates all bass related entries, as printed under “Bass” heading ] 

(8.) Bass, counter, p. 386 – Hathitrust [ p. 386 misprint, should be p. 350 ]

[ cit. “ a second or double-bass where there are several in the same concert” ] 

(12.) Bass-viol, p. 351 – Hathitrust  

[ refers to “Basse Viol” p. 340 above ]

(13.) Bass-viol, p. 351 – Hathitrust 

[ quotes Shakespeare at the end, unclear though if he implies a sting bass type, an organ pipe bass register, or just a general bass with its grave (thunderous) ability? Perhaps tries to allude to all of them together? ]

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Nicholson – The British Encyclopedia, or Dictionary of Arts and Sciences (1809) – Info

Nicholson, William (1753-1815) [ Editor ] – Info

• The British Encyclopedia, or Dictionary of Arts and Sciences ; Comprising and Accurate and Popular Viewof the Present Improved State of Human Knowledge. 6 vols. London: Printed by C. Whittingham, for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme [and 21 others], 1809.

Index of Volumes – UPenn – Hathitrust 

Vol. 4  (1809) I – N
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Musical Instruments, Double-Bass, p. (636?) – Internet Archive

[ A brief and up to the point entry on bass ]

[ The entry can not be paginated accurately as the entire volume is not paginated ]

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Orgelbrand – Encyklopedyja Powszechna (1859-1868) – Info

Orgelbrand, Samuel (1810-1868) [ publisher ] – Info – LC Authority

• Encyklopedyja Powszechna. Warszawa: Orgelbrand, 1859-1868.

Vol. 15 (1864) Kodesz – Krasiń
Online View – JBC 

Kontrabas, p. 399 – JBC [ sellect p. 409 of the scanned document ]

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Putnam – Home Cyclopedia (1852)

Putnam, George Palmer (1814-1872) [ publisher ] – Info – LC Authority

• Putnam’s Home Cyclopedia. 6 vols. New York, George P. Puntnam, 1852-1853.

Vol. 2 (1852) “General Literature and the Fine Arts” – by George Ripley and Bayard Taylor
Online View – UMI

Contrabasso, vol. 2, p. 109 – UMI
Violono, vol. 2, p. 629 – UMI

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Rees – The Cyclopædia or Universal Dictionary (1802-1820) – Info

Rees, Abraham (1743-1825) – Info – LC Authority

• The Cyclopædia; or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature. 39 vols. London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, & Brown, 1802-1825.

Note – pages in this cyclopaedia are not paginated but systematized by colums. These colums are in turn designated by three letters. The columns’ lettering however often repeats, thus making the actuall page citation very difficult.

The Music Articles – Info – Info Large – Music Articles Listing by Volume

Vol. 12 (1819)  Dissimulation-Eloane
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Double baſſe, col. DOU – Internet Archive 

[ cites Dragonetti as an exemplary bassist who can replicate everything “that can be played on violin” and even suggest his special ſons harmoniques technique ]

Vol. 37 (1819) Vermes-Waterloo
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Violone, a double basse, col. VIO – Internet Archive

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Musical Plates – List of Music Plates 

Vol. III of Plates (1820) Hydraulics – Naval Architecture
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Plate IV (1813*) Violoncello & Viola da Gamba – Internet Archive

[ This is the Plate that may have featured Violone and/or Double baſſe, yet it does not, for the reasons that we may never find out. If curious of the Naval Architecture, just the few pages down you will find full plans for a contemporary three mast battle ship though. ]

[ * The Wiki List of Musical Instruments’ Plates cites 1813 as the year of this plate, although the entire Vol III of plates indicates 1820 as the year of publication. ]

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Ripley – Cyclopedia of Literature and The Fine Arts (1854)

Ripley, George (1802-1880) [ the editor ] – Info – LC Authority

• Cyclopedia of Literature and The Fine Arts; Comprising Complete and Accurate Definitions of All Terms Employed in Belles-Lettres, Philosophy, Theology, Law, Mythology, Painting, Music, Sculpture, Architecture, and All Kindred Arts. Compiled and arranged by George Ripley and Bayard Taylor. New York: A.S. Barnes and Company, 1854.

Online View & Download – Hathitrust

Bass, p. 38 – Hathitrust – MOA
Bass Viol, p. 38 – Hathitrust – MOA
Contrabasso, p. 109 – Hathitrust – MOA
Violono, p. 629 – Hathitrust – MOA

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• Cyclopedia of Literature and The Fine Arts; Comprising Complete and Accurate Definitions of All Terms Employed in Belles-Lettres, Philosophy, Theology, Law, Mythology, Painting, Music, Sculpture, Architecture, and All Kindred Arts. Compiled and arranged by George Ripley and Bayard Taylor. New York: A.S. Barnes and Company, 1873.

Online View & Download – Hathitrust 

Bass, Counter Bass, p. 38 – Hathitrust
Bass Viol, p. 38 – Hathitrust
Contrabasso, p. 109 – Hathitrust
Violono, p. 629 – Hathitrust

[ all entries appear to be a reprint from the 1854 edition ]

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Ripley – The New American Cyclopaedia (1857-1862) – Info

Ripley, George (1802-1880) [ the editor ] – Info – LC Authority

• The New American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge. Edited by George Ripley and Charles A. Dana. 16 vols. New York: D. Appleton, 1857-1862 (1863-1864).

Vol. 2 (1858) Araktsheeff-Beale
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Basse, IV. Basse, or Bass, – Double Base, col. 693 – Internet Archive

Vol. 16 (1858) V-Zwirner
Online View & Download – Internet Archive

Violone, p. 110 – Internet Archive

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Ripley – The American Cyclopaedia (1873-1876) – Info 

Ripley, George (1802-1880) [ the editor ] – Info – LC Authority

• The American Cyclopaedia: A Popular Dictionary of General Knowledge. Edited by George Ripley and Charles A. Dana. 2^nd ed. (renamed). 16 vols. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1873-1876. With final edition issued in 1883-1884.

Index of Volumes – WorldCat Record

Vol. 16 (1876) Trombone-Symosis
Online View & Download – Google Books

Violin, Violone, [ left colum, middle section ] p. 366 – Google Books 

Violin, The Contra-basso or Double bass, [ the last 10 lines ] p. 367 – Google Books 

[ This is actually the 2^nd edition of The New American Cyclopaedia from 1857-1862, so “The New” one came before this one. Please consult Info. ]

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Salmonsen – Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon (1893–1911) – Info

Salmonsen, Isac Heiman (1846-1910) [ publisher ] – Info

• Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon. 1^st ed. 18 vols. Kjøbenhavn: Salmonsen, 1893-1911.

[ unable to locate online ]

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• Salmonsens Konversationsleksikon. Edited by Christian Blangstrup. 2^nd ed. 26 vols. København: Schultz, 1915-1930. 

Index of Volumes – Projekt Runberg

Vol. XIV (1923) Kirkeskov – Kvadratrix
Online View – Projekt Runberg

• Kontrabas, p. 475 – Projekt Runberg

Vol. XXV (1928) Werth—Øyslebø
Online View – Projekt Runberg

Violone, p. 262 – Projekt Runberg

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Wilkes – Encyclopaedia Londinensis (1810-1829)

Wilkes, John (1750-1810) [ publisher ] – Info – LC Authority

• Encyclopaedia Londinensis, Or, Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and Literature, Comprehending, Under One General Alphabetical Arrangement, All the Words and Substance of Every Kind of Dictionary Extant in the English Language. 24 vols. London: Printed for the proprietor by J. Adlard, 1810-1829.

Index of Volumes – Hathitrust [ limited search, for reference only ]

Vol. 16 (1819)
Online View & Download – Google Books

Violone, or Double Baſs, p. 385 – Google Books

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Zedler – Grosses Vollständiges Universal Lexicon (1731-1754) – Info – Info BSB

Zedler, Johann Heinrich (1706-1763) [ publisher ] – Info – Info BSB – LC Authority

• Zedler Lexikon – Complete Online Search Portal – BSB
  

[ all bass related entries cited in individual volumes below, may also be retreived in this Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (BSB) Zedler Lexikon portal by separate searches – link above  ]

• Grosses Vollständiges Universal Lexicon Aller Wissenschafften und Künste. 64 vols. Halle und Leipzig: Johann Heinrich Sedler, 1731-1754. – Info

Vol. 3 (1733) B-Bi
Online View & Download – MDZ

Baſſo, col. 634 – MDZ

[ Transalted cit. “the Italians use this word or also the letter B, almost alone (always) for vocals Bass, while they have for the Instrument Bass another terms, although Penna (Lorenzo) at 23 of Albori Musicali states it as an Epithet for Cantata as well” ] 

Vol. 6 (1733) Ci-Cz
Online View & Download – MDZ

Contra-baſs, col. 1135 – MDZ

[ unclear if it rleates only to contra-bass voice, but it does mention “also a name for the 32 Sub Bass Organ register” ]

Vol. 48 (1746) Vert-Vis
Online View & Download –MDZ

Violon (Basse de), col. 1680 – MDZ
Violoncello, p. 1680 – MDZ
Violon, Violone, p. 1680 – MDZ

Suppl. 3 (1752) Barc-Bod
Online View & Download – MDZ

Baßviolon, cols. 159-160 – MDZ

[ describes a Violone in G ]

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Wikipedia – Free Online Encyclopedia (2001-Now) – Info

Wikipedia needs no introduction, as it has become such an indispensable part of our modern life that one can not even imagine being without it any longer. This unique encyclopedic world-project has already outpaced and outplaced may contemporary encyclopedias, and will apparently continue to improve on itself in the future. Wikipedia also contains many national Double Bass pages that may preserve unique information on our instrument to future generations. Yet, how indeed will this information from the past and present versions of Wikipedia be catalogued and differentiated one day, is an interesting question that perhaps may not have a clear answer yet. Possibly through the preserved copies of Internet Archives index or the Wikipedia company itself. For now, and without any guarantees on the stability of their content, ABP will index here all extant national Double Bass entries, and hope that they may find its place among the deserving encyclopedic bass references of the future.

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Contrabaixo – Wikipedia pt – Portuguese

Viola da Gamba – Wikipedia pt – Portuguese

[ The Violone search in Portugal Wikipedia redirects automatically to Viola da Gamba entry ]

Contrabajo – Wikipedia es – Spanish

Violone – Wikipedia es – Spanish

Contrabbasso – Wikipedia it – Italian

Ottobasso – Wikipedai it – Italian
Violone – Wikipedia it – Italian

Contrabas – Wikipedia nl – Dutch

Octobas – Wikipedia nl – Dutch

Contrebasse – Wikipedia fr – French

Octobasse – Wikipedia fr – French
Violone – Wikipedia fr – French

Contrabasul – Wikipedia ro – Romanian

Daburubēsu – Wikipedia jp – Japan

Dīyīn tíqín – Wikipedia cn – China

Double Bass – Wikipedia English

Double Bass – Simple Wikipedia English
Jazz Bass – Wikipedia English
Octobass – Wikipedia English
Violone – Wikipedia English

Kontrabas – Wikipedia cr – Croatia

Kontrabas – Wikipedia cz – Czech

Violon – Wikipedia cz – Czech
Oktobas – Wikipedia cz – Czech

Kontrabas – Wikipedia da – Danish

Kontrabas – Wikipedia pl – Polish

Kontrabas – Wikipedia sl – Slovenia

Kontrabas – Wikipedia sv – Swedish

קונטרבס           – Wikipedia he – Hebrew

Kontrabass – Wikipedia de – German

Oktobass – Wikipedia de – German
Violone – Wikipedia de – German

Kontrabass – Wikipedia no – Norwegian

Kontrabasso – Wikipedia fi – Finish

Контрабас – Wikipedia bg – Bulgarian

Контрабас – Wikipedia ru – Russian

Октобас – Wikipedia ru – Russian
Балалайка-контрабас – Wikipedia ru – Russian

Контрабас – Wikipedia sr – Serbian

Контрабас – Wikipedia uk – Ukraine

Κοντραμπάσο – Wikipedia el – Greek

Kontrbas – Wikipedia tr – Turkey

Nagybőgő – Wikipedia hu – Hungarian

Viola da Gamba – Wikipedia hu – Hungarian 

[ The Violone entry in Hungarian Wikipedia redirects automatically to Viola da Gamba too. This page offers a table with index of viols that reach to contrabass and even subcontrabass registers. ]

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Page Development Assistance

ABP is grateful on any information that may widen the scope of this listing. Should you know of any other dictionary that may fit the criteria of this bibliography, please contact ABP and your effort will be credited here.

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Created by Igor Pecevski

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Posted: June 7, 2019