@Jonathon…Thanks for that listen, I am not sure if you have ever listened to Edgar Meyer who many think is the greatest Contra Bass player of our time. Here is an example of his work. I think you may appreciate his command of instrument. You will find the range of bass quite different than you think. He also uses bowing technique that he plays from either D2 or E2 to A4 on this piece. You probably won’t like the composition but it’s very educational as to what an instrument can do…You should really listen to whole thing though. I go no where near this range. When composing using Vienna there is no possibility of playing outside an instrument range. You can select different bow technique that will extend the range by a few notes but that is it.
A little something easier on ears with yo-yo and a couple of great players from Nashville
Here are actual instrument ranges for Double Bass
http://www.orchestralibrary.com/reftables/rang.html
http://s813.photobucket.com/user/kzarider/media/ContraBassRange.png.html?sort=3&o=0
That said you are correct about gtr being to out front I am putting it in the same room as bass and piano. Its funny how it’s often harder to mix simple things for me. When we go to final print on this I will give to another engineer with better ears and equipment probably if budget allows me to.
Again thanks for the insight hope you enjoy Edgar’s playing, my friend Gary who played on 1000’s of sessions and played w/symphony showed him to me and told of the things that he does in extending the instrument. I know it is odd for Bass to play above a B3 but it creates a certain timber which I like lol. Let me know what you think of this stuff!