Bass in a box!

[TenorClef]

Hi all, I’ve got a bass in the box coming from China, been following the tracking so hopefully should be here in about a week or so. Its one of those double basses you have to part assemble yourself, all the holes are pre-drilled and the neck just fits the body with a Allen key so I’m hoping there isn’t going to be to much work involved. The ¾ double bass has a solid carved spruce top, figured maple (ply) B&S and ebony tail piece/fingerboard. Essentially a hybrid or best of both worlds! I should also mention all the parts are included too, turners, endpin, adjustable bridge, tailpiece. The guy assured me it was just a case of plug and play but I’ll reserve judgment on that.

Any way initially I was thinking as the bass comes all nude I may go for a blonde finish with super blonde shellac, about 5 to 10 coats but now I’m thinking I may also consider one of those really old antique finishes. What’s the best stuff to use for that old look you see on violins some sort of Cremona orange right?

[TenorClef]

and here's a couple more-

[Blind Rat]

Looks like a good start,do you have any links to the place you are getting it from ?

[drurb]

In what language are the instructions?

Congrats-- looks like you'll be having some fun!

[kurt ratering]

that fingerboard doesnt look like ebony to me.

[RobertUI]

I honestly can't wait to see how this works out. I've debated picking one of those up myself, just for grins. I think that if your expectations are appropriate then it'll be a fun project! Personally, I keep thinking that these scream out for the King Rockabilly Treatment, specifically I am thinking sparkles and flames!

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by kurt ratering

that fingerboard doesnt look like ebony to me.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[Ed Fuqua]

Originally Posted by kurt ratering

that fingerboard doesnt look like ebony to me.

That's cause it hasn't been painted yet...

[TenorClef]

Yeah sorry, thats just a stock photo, i asked the guy to upgrade the fingerboard from hard wood (as seen in the photo) to ebony which he did but it cost me an extra $60 to have a genuine ebony fingerboard. Any way i'll post a couple of pictures up when it arrives. He he, should be fun :-)

[TenorClef]

Any way getting back to my question...............?

[bass_snake]

Congrats! Hope it would sound and feel great.

Keep us updated.

Fred

[jamesmleach]

i second the all-out rockabilly idea.

and would also like to know where you ordered this from.

[TenorClef]

Originally Posted by jamesmleach

and would also like to know where you ordered this from.

EBAY

[Rvl]

I have been pondering these basses for quite a while
I am very interested in quality and sound

You got the model with the removable neck?
How much is it with all the upgrades?

Sorry I dont know about varnishes
But I would try to keep the varnish or shellac to as thin a coat as possible. I find the thick poly coats on cheaper basses tend to absorb sound , whereas the really nice basses have thinner coats

Thanks

Robert VanLane

[thesneakyjesus]

I bet if you called Mike Shank / a local violin maker / david gauge / ken smith they could get you hooked up with some great varnish and tips on how to do it.

[Lizooki]

Bright yellow with red flames. YUM!

[Paul Warburton]

The FB is of the rare albino ebony, as is the center join in the top plate.........

[Sam Sherry]

TenC --

Setting up a double bass is an art and a science. After you get done with whatever you're doing to glue and finish, you'd be smart to invest in an experienced double-bass professional's time for

a) Neck angle check -- BEFORE you glue it
b) Fingerboard planing
c) Bridge shaping and foot-fitting
d) Soundpost fiting
e) Nut fitting

It might set you back most of what you spent on the kit but you'll thank yourself every time you play.

Have fun & report back please!

[Ken McKay]

Originally Posted by TenorClef

Hi all, I’ve got a bass in the box coming from China, been following the tracking so hopefully should be here in about a week or so. Its one of those double basses you have to part assemble yourself, all the holes are pre-drilled and the neck just fits the body with a Allen key so I’m hoping there isn’t going to be to much work involved. The ¾ double bass has a solid carved spruce top, figured maple (ply) B&S and ebony tail piece/fingerboard. Essentially a hybrid or best of both worlds! I should also mention all the parts are included too, turners, endpin, adjustable bridge, tailpiece. The guy assured me it was just a case of plug and play but I’ll reserve judgment on that.

Any way initially I was thinking as the bass comes all nude I may go for a blonde finish with super blonde shellac, about 5 to 10 coats but now I’m thinking I may also consider one of those really old antique finishes. What’s the best stuff to use for that old look you see on violins some sort of Cremona orange right?

I can help you but you must realize that asking how to assemble and varnish a bass in "cremona orange" a pretty big question.

There are many, many books written on how to varnish a violin. but ignoring much of that you can get close to a nice finish by doing some searching here.

As far as assembly goes, I would start by measuring the fingerboard projection to the bridge height. What is it?

Order a real bridge, if the one supplied is not up to standards, which it likely isn't.

[TenorClef]

Thanks for the input. I'm in unknown waters here and the bass has'nt arrived yet. I don't know if i mentioned this or not but the neck is'nt glued to the body i asked the builder to make a detatchable neck as in the attached photo. I may just go with the blonde shellac finish as every bass i come across seems to be some sort of Cremona orange. About the bridge fitting, i got a feeling this is way beyond my skills and this may be the only job where i need to get a professional to set it up correctly. In the next town i know a violin builder/luthier so i'll ask him to fit the bridge if he has the time rather than attempting a bad job myself.