A three-stringed double bass

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I’ve written a few discussions about New Norcia, Australia’s only monastic town. We went through the museum when we were there and came across a display of instruments. The town once had its own brass band and also its own orchestra. We were intrigued by this double bass which only has three strings whereas most have four. It’s obviously meant to have only three as the tailpiece only allows for three strings. One website says three-string double basses have a more powerful sound, and a clearer, more assertive timbre. I’ve come across a few unusual instruments lately.