Buzz
Imagine an instrument towering nearly 12 feet, crafted from wood, and producing tones so deep they escape human hearing. This is the octobass, the largest string instrument ever created. While its design mirrors smaller stringed cousins like violins and cellos, its staggering height of 11 feet, 5 inches demands even a basketball pro to stand on a platform to reach its neck.
Like its stringed counterparts, the octobass generates sound through string manipulation—pressing, plucking, or bowing. However, unlike a violin, which can be resized for smaller players, the octobass’s immense fingerboard cannot be adjusted. Instead, players use a system of levers to press the strings, paired with a shorter, heavier bow. Originally designed by French luthier Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume in 1850, the octobass required two musicians: one to operate the levers and another to handle the bow, collaborating to produce a single note.
Tuned two octaves below a cello and one below a double bass, the octobass reaches a C note at 16 hertz—below the human hearing threshold. Colin Pearson, curator at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, highlights its educational value: “Its massive strings vibrate slowly enough to visibly demonstrate sound waves, making it a fascinating tool for understanding acoustics.”
Despite Vuillaume’s vision of the octobass joining orchestras, its rarity limits its use today. Only three original models and three replicas exist worldwide, housed in Phoenix, Paris, and Oslo. Nico Abondolo, principal bassist of the LA Chamber Orchestra, describes playing the octobass as “a surreal experience,” underscoring its unique place in the world of music.
Though the octobass captivates with its uniqueness, it’s unlikely to regain widespread popularity. However, it excels at performing one iconic piece: the theme from the 1975 thriller Jaws.
Banner images courtesy of YouTube.
