Broken neck, what to do?

uatubassist001 · #1 12-25-2007, 04:47 AM

Well, this is my first post, and first thread here, so hello everyone. I'll try not to act like too much of a newbie. I have a dilemma that I would like some opinions on. I recently acquired an old, very used John Juzek bass. I had it for a couple weeks, and I was really starting to fall in love with the old thing. Today I had to go in at work at 5, but had nothing to do until then, so I decided to play a little. I guess I didn't secure the bass well enough before I left, because when I got home from work, only about 30 minutes later (Christmas eve, no business, so we got to close early), I opened my door and discovered my baby laying face down on the floor with a broken neck. Needless to say, I'm very sad about it. I really loved that bass, and was preparing to take it in to get the set-up spruced up.

So, the question I have is whether or not I should mess with getting the neck fixed? It was a fairly clean break, and seems to me like it would be a fairly simple repair to an experienced technician. Would you guys say that it would be better to get the neck repaired on the bass I love, or should I start shopping around for a new bass? Any opinions in this matter would be greatly appreciated. Now if I can find someone to mend the crack I got in my heart when I saw my baby lying on the floor...................

TomB · #2 12-25-2007, 05:01 AM

Absolutely! Start with Bob Gollihur's luthier list and keep working the DB forum for referals to find the best luthier in your area. It's worth it. Good luck

uatubassist001 · #3 12-25-2007, 05:43 AM

I tried to check Bob's list, but it seems to be down at the moment. Anyone know of any good bass luthiers around Arkansas. I am willing to travel about 5 hours in any direction to find a repair man, who will

1. Do a great job
2. Do it for a reasonable price

As soon as I found it broken, I started doing some research, and I think I can estimate at least $200 for this repair, since it's fresh and clean, but I guess it all depends on the repairman.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #4 12-25-2007, 08:17 AM

I can heartily recommend either of the following in Kansas City:
http://www.kcstrings.com/
or
Bob Branstetter here on this forum. A simple search will find him and you can pm him. If not, I have his number.

Not a very good Christmas present, by the way. A good luthier will make it right.

drurb · #5 12-25-2007, 10:14 AM

I'd vote for checking into the repair as well. If it's just a broken neck, then it's well worth fixing a bass that you love. Not meaning to be a smart*** in the least, it would be a good idea to invest in a good stand as well. Especially after this disheartening experience, it'll give you peace-of-mind. I wish you well. Please keep us posted on how this goes.

Marcus Johnson · #6 12-25-2007, 01:02 PM

Dunno how you had the bass standing.... but every time I see a student going to stand their bass in the corner with the front facing out, I stop them and have them turn it around. It is nice to see those pretty ff holes, but when you think of the geometry and the neck angle of a double bass, you can see why facing in towards the wall is a whole lot safer.

Not sayin' that's what you did.....

uatubassist001 · #7 12-25-2007, 04:20 PM

Well, even though you didn't say I did it, I'll go ahead and admit that I did. I'm totally new to the ways of string bass, so I didn't really even think twice about it. It was definitely my fault that it broke, and I think I've learned a little lesson in bass safety because of it. Thankfully though, I only paid $50 bucks for the thing, so I'm glad it happened to this bass, and not a bass that I paid much more for. I was intending to take it in to get a professional set-up done, so it was going into the shop anyways, but now it's going to cost me a little more

Marcus Johnson · #8 12-25-2007, 08:19 PM

If it broke cleanly, it should be okay for repair. I've had basses come apart in any way you can think of over the years, and they've all pretty much gone back together again.

MR PC · #9 12-25-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uatubassist001

Well, even though you didn't say I did it, I'll go ahead and admit that I did. I'm totally new to the ways of string bass, so I didn't really even think twice about it. It was definitely my fault that it broke, and I think I've learned a little lesson in bass safety because of it. Thankfully though, I only paid $50 bucks for the thing, so I'm glad it happened to this bass, and not a bass that I paid much more for. I was intending to take it in to get a professional set-up done, so it was going into the shop anyways, but now it's going to cost me a little more

Wow, fifty bucks! You didn't think twice about it, and you are glad that it happened. Hey, it was on the way to the shop anyway......didn't someone once say the the road to ruin is paved with good intentions?

uatubassist001 · #10 12-26-2007, 12:10 AM

I definitely got a deal on this bass. I found it in an antique store. The owner had played it years and years ago, but had given up the DB for EB. I asked the guy how much he wanted for it, and he asked me to play it. I plunked around for a few minutes, trying my best to make a respectable sound come out, and then he asked if I'd give him $50 for it. My jaw dropped, and and I quickly pulled out my wallet. He told me he didn't really care to make any money off of it, but he did want to make sure that the bass went to a young player who could get some use out of it.

Now, when I said I didn't think twice, I meant that I didn't think twice about leaning the bass in the corner with the f-holes out. Also, in no way, shape, or form am I glad that the bass broke. I AM, however, glad that it happened to a very inexpensive bass and not a bass that I had payed more for. If this bass hadn't fallen over, this could have happened years down the road, to a bass that I had actually put a large investment in, which would have made me much more unhappy than if it happened to the bass I payed very little for. So, I guess I'm saying I'm glad I learned a lesson, not that my bass broke due to my carelessness.

juuzek · #11 12-26-2007, 06:40 AM

How about some pictures?
I would like to see what a $50 Juzek looks like.

uatubassist001 · #12 12-26-2007, 01:41 PM

I'll try to get some up in short order.

MR PC · #13 12-26-2007, 01:51 PM

Why bother putting money into an inexpensive bass? The repair will pretty much cost the same no matter........right?

txstatebass · #14 12-26-2007, 02:12 PM

+1 on KC Strings, I've had a neck break fixed there, and my baby's never had a problem in that department ever again. Absolutely worth getting fixed if you only paid $50 for it. If you don't want to, I'll give you your 50 back for it and get it fixed it myself. Also, you can look into the David Graham String Shop in Dallas (depending on where you are in AR). He has an affinity for old basses and from what I hear, his rates are reasonable.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #15 12-26-2007, 02:37 PM

I'll be in Arkansas tomorrow and add another $50 to the pot if interested.

uatubassist001 · #16 12-26-2007, 03:43 PM

Sorry guys, even though I'm new to the DB world, I wasn't born yesterday

. I love this bass, and I'm going to shell out what it takes to get it fixed. I'm a big fan of the way old, well used basses look and play, so I can't see myself letting this one go anytime soon. It looks like I'll be taking it up to KC stings to get the repairs done, since that's where most everyone has recommended I go. Also, can someone explain how to post pictures? I'd love to post some $50 bass porn for you guys to drool over

uatubassist001 · #17 12-26-2007, 03:45 PM

Also, for you guys that will be in Arkansas, if you'll be in Fayetteville, I'd love to show off my prize, even though it's broken. PM me if you're interested.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #18 12-26-2007, 04:46 PM

Just pulling your leg. I know you won't sell and wouldn't take advantage of you anyway. I'll be over by Harrison anyway.
Posting pics directly on TB? I'd like to know myself. I just post a link to my Photobucket account. Simple copy and paste.

mlz77096 · #19 12-26-2007, 05:57 PM

I can sympathize with your problem. My bass is a 45 year old German laminate and I love it and bought a nice well padded case for it. Those cases take up a bunch of room and I was keeping the bass on the stand in the case. About two weeks ago it fell off the stand face first. The fingerboard came off clean. Fortunately I am close to a luthier. On my way to the shop I considered what might have happened had the old glue not given way. I'm sure your instrument can be repaired. The hard part will be the separation anxiety while it is not with you. Good luck!

Marcus Johnson · #20 12-26-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlz77096

separation anxiety

No pun intended?