Now that's not gonna make it as walk-on luggage. Do you think he uses a flight case?  
Mike

He looks like he's got a solution for those folks whose basses are too heavy for a strap.

Damn, that cuts out the ZZ Top spinning guitar trick then. :-)
 
Jazzyvee

Octobass ftw. these things were originally designed for two players; one for the fretting (there were frets), and the other for the bowing.
 

Dang! He's already up one step and it looks like he still wouldn't be able to reach first position after the next step! Is there a hidden third step? Was the house built around the instrument? Has anyone seen my lower jaw?  
 
Mike

You guys have inspired me.  I just picked up a Banjitar on eBay.
 
Bill, tgo

Did anyone see this?
 
...too bad the pics aren't better

I'm biddin'!
 
Bill, tgo

Here's a link with detailed History, in Italian. Just Google URL and translate.
Octobasse

This page shows how it works.  You don't play the fingerboard with your fingers, and those aren't ordinary frets.

well, clearly i have no idea what i'm talking about.
sure are big, though.

Check out the Low C 16.35 Hz range... just add Superfilter!

Play it through a Bag End Elf system.

They did have that 4 x 21 cabinet at the Chicago Alembic gathering at Bag End in June of 2009.

Jack Casady has a bass balalaika, but that's not Jack in the above pic...
I think he used it on one cut of his solo album.