In an earlier post, Al said…

Mark, as an oldtime fiddler for the past 33 years, I have to disagree with you about bass not being a part of it. Having a bass play with you really sets the music off and frees everyone up. It gives it that driving sound we all look for. Bass is always welcome in any oldtime band or jam session.

I quite agree that the bass is desireable and modern ensembles playing the music of the original old-timey bands sometimes use one to good advantage. But bands such as the New Lost City Ramblers who worked to faithfully recreate the old-timey sound didn't include a bass because the original bands whose work they were performing didn't use one either.

When you consider the history of old-timey music, the fiddle and banjo were the primary instruments partly because they were highly portable and widely available. Guitars were originally rare and came into widespread use beginning in the 1920s. But a string bass would have been too cumbersome to carry on horseback or a small wagon. Even a Model-T would be taxed to carry a string bass around to dances and shows.

      - Mark