Absolutely gutted.

[Future_DB]

As some of you may know, I got a double bass on rental last weekend. A very nice model too.

Well, I was just practising some scales when there was a knock at the door. So, I rested it on its side and went to go and answer the door. I was chatting for a minute or so when I heard an almighty crash.

Turns out, my mother opened the back door to let in our big lab, who immediately went crashing into the bass, turning it onto its front. This caused the bridge to be forced into the top, cracking down its left side (when looking at it face on) where the 'f-holes' are. It's about 4 inches in length and pretty substantial. The strings have also been forced into the bridge and the D and G strings are now touching the fingerboard.

I have insurance on the bass - £1500 worth. Will this be enough to cover the repair costs? It's a fully-carved bass.

[sevenyearsdown]

oh no......oh boy......

[longfinger]

Ouch!!!!

[finalrequiem]

I'm not a DB player but this makes me sick at my stomach for you, seriously.

[Eric Hochberg]

Take all the tension off the strings if you haven't. Take it to an independent bass luthier for an estimate and then take it back to the shop you rented it from. They'll tell you how much it will cost. I would think they would have their own insurance policy on the bass, though, as it's their business.

If the top has to come off to repair it, my guess is that it could be more than your policy is worth.

[anonymous02282011]

So sorry to hear that.

Your insurance may be enough to cover the cost of repair. There's no way of knowing until you take it to a reputable luthier though. I wish I could recommend one for you but I'm across the pond.

Let us know how it pans out. Best of luck!

[Future_DB]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Take all the tension off the strings if you haven't. Take it to an independent bass luthier for an estimate and then take it back to the shop you rented it from. They'll tell you how much it will cost. I would think they would have their own insurance policy on the bass, though, as it's their business.

If the top has to come off to repair it, my guess is that it could be more than your policy is worth.

I'll go and do that now, thank you. I was going to call the shop tomorrow to tell them exactly what happened.

And oh dear...

Thanks for the symphathy guys.

[PRUNEFACE]

wow. that is awful. i have to play loudly so that the family knows not to let our dog free.

[Eric Hochberg]

How much are they selling these for? It's always a good idea to have replacement cost in mind when insuring a DB in case it gets totalled.

[Carl Johnson]

Ouch….. I can’t imagine damage even this bad costing more than 1500 British pounds. Top off and repair and new setup should be right around that if not less. If you’re being charged more get a different luthier.

[bassteban]

Thank you for not posting pics.

[Future_DB]

I'm not entirely sure what the retail price was on this bass, if it even had one. It was a bass specifically designated to be a "rental-only" bass.

The shop operates its own luthier service, should I just return it to the shop after I've spoken to the manager? I really hope it doesn't cost more than £1500, I'm a student so I'm pretty damn poor as it is.

[Fletcher Lanning]

I'd get an independent estimate before you take it back to the shop, just to eliminate conflict of interest.

[PsychoScout]

Originally Posted by ehochberg

Take all the tension off the strings if you haven't. Take it to an independent bass luthier for an estimate and then take it back to the shop you rented it from. They'll tell you how much it will cost. I would think they would have their own insurance policy on the bass, though, as it's their business.

If the top has to come off to repair it, my guess is that it could be more than your policy is worth.

if the crack is straight underneath the bridge i really see no other option that to open it up to fix it in a good way.... but i'm not an expert

[PsychoScout]

Originally Posted by Future_DB

I'll go and do that now, thank you. I was going to call the shop tomorrow to tell them exactly what happened.

And oh dear...

Thanks for the symphathy guys.

to be honest, i think your parents should pay the difference between the real cost and what you get from insurance...

don't you have this kind of family insurance that covers stupid acts from children/dogs.....

[Phil Rowan]

Stupid dog.



Kidding.. I love dogs. I'm really sorry to hear about this mishap.

[Future_DB]

It's a possibility Psycho, but I'm not counting on it. I'm hoping that it won't be over £1500.

Thanks Phil. He feels just awful about it.

[Future_DB]

Good news everyone!

I returned the bass to the store today after speaking with the insurance company. Repairs are underway and it's covered by the policy with no extra costs on top! In the mean time (took me 4 hours to get there, and 3 to get back today...), I have a very nice 1975 German model, which is in better condition and actually produces a nicer tone! He says that I'm welcome to keep that one in place of the repaired model if I choose to, which would save me another LONG trip!

Thanks all, pictures to come soon!

[anonymous02282011]

Glad to hear things worked out for you Future man.

[geoffbassist]

phew....:-)