User manual

38
Positioning the H-clamp
The H-clamp can be positioned anywhere on the instrument where its
circular jaws can be tightened securely without causing damage. General
guidelines for ensuring safe use are provided in Section 3 (“Fitting and us-
ing the H-clamp”). Although there are many options for the positioning of
the H-clamp on a cello or double bass, typically the positions in which it is
least obtrusive and can be set up to avoid any interference with the playing
action are on the sections of the body around the base of the instrument
as shown below.
Attaching the H-clamp to the lower section of the
instrument has the dual advantage of keeping
the microphone well clear of the bowing ac-
tion and having the least impact on the balance
of the instrument (only a significant issue with
heavier microphones). For cellos, the playing
position and action make the lower section of the
instrument the only practical option for attach-
ing the H-clamp but there is sufficient scope in
placement options to find the ideal position for
capturing the desired tonality.
In contrast, for the double bass, it is perfectly
feasible to use either (or both) lower or upper
sections of the body for attaching the H-clamp.
As shown in the picture, it can even be attached
to the upper parts of instruments with a highly
tapered upper section.
The shear size of the double bass means that it
offers a very wide range of potential attachment
sites. Close micing in the vicinity of the bridge,
tail-piece or F-holes is simple from a variety of
positions around the lower bout. From positions
on the upper bout, close micing of the finger-
board is possible.
Although the choice is more limited with the
cello, it is still straightforward to position a mi-
crophone close to the bridge, tail-piece, F-holes
or anywhere else on the lower part of the instru-
ment.