Flatback Question

reedj · #1 01-27-2009, 05:53 PM

Forgive my ignorance, but do they make plywood flatbacks? And if so, how long has this practice been in use? Anyone know when production of laminated basses began?

thewhale · #2 01-27-2009, 09:18 PM

yes, I don't know, and not me.

robgrow · #3 01-27-2009, 09:29 PM

I've actually seen (and played) a bass from the early 19th century that had the original flat back replaced with plywood at some point. It sounds incredible, and you would never know it had a plywood back. Other than that, I've only seen roundback plywood basses.

larry · #4 01-27-2009, 09:38 PM

You can order a new LaScala plywood with a flatback.

I have a hybrid flatback. The back is ply.

bribass · #5 01-27-2009, 09:43 PM

I can't recall ever seeing a flatback plywood bass. Doesn't mean they don't exist.

I'm no authority on this, but I remember reading somewhere that plywood basses started appearing soon after the invention of the manufacturing process for plywood, around 1936-38 or so. I do believe there are Kay basses from 1938 still around.

BG

fdeck · #6 01-27-2009, 09:57 PM

A plywood flatback would not seem to make a lot of sense from a purely industrial point of view. If you have the wood, and the machine to press it into shape, then it would seem simpler to make a round plywood back than to assemble a flat one with all of the necessary bracing.

jacochops · #7 01-27-2009, 10:39 PM

I am getting a new hybrid Shen bass next week or so. A new model, called an SB-190. It is a BIG bass with a ply flat back. And it sounds great! So...they're out there.

Jake deVilliers · #8 01-27-2009, 10:42 PM

The H.N. White Co. began selling plywood King Moretone double basses in 1934.

http://www.hnwhite.com/string%20page.htm

Tejano Bass · #9 01-28-2009, 07:24 AM

. . . and, Yeah, bribass - they're still around & still bein' played, too.

F Y I - http://kaybass.com/

wineaux · #10 01-28-2009, 09:32 AM

My 1934 Jaeger is plywood and is still going strong!

reedj · #11 01-28-2009, 12:25 PM

In retrospect, my question should have been, historically have they made flatback plywood basses? I am aware of some recently built plywood flatbacks, I am just not aware of many flatbacks from say the earlier portion of the 20th century that were plywood. Wineaux, is your Jaeger a flatback?

wineaux · #12 01-28-2009, 04:10 PM

Sorry for my imprecise response. The Jaeger is not flatback.

Eric Rene Roy · #13 01-28-2009, 05:50 PM

I'm building one just to see how we like it. All poplar too...

Jake deVilliers · #14 01-28-2009, 06:13 PM

Hey Eric, I'd like to hear how that turns out.

Eric Rene Roy · #15 01-28-2009, 06:35 PM

actually building two basses side by side...solid spruce tops are the same, poplar ribs the same, and then one has a poplar ply flatback and the other is a solid poplar flatback. same bracing material and patterns. so...in as much as two pieces of wood can be "the same", the only differences between these two basses will be the backs. Should be interesting...I'm looking forward to it.

If they are worthy, they might become regular models (throwing that in as full disclosure for those that will say I'm violating the CUP here. I don't think I am).

Eric Rene Roy · #16 02-13-2009, 08:45 PM

Finished Jake!

The ply back is so unbelievable! I am making another now...this one a gamba. It's at Gage's now in NYC...so anyone in that neighborhood check it out and tell us what you think of the tone and the VOLUME! It's Opus 1 of the Hybrid Flat-backs.

The solid back is at our shop and has a refined warmth with a nice punch. To say we were pleased would be a huge understatement. We would be idiots to not incorporate these models into our regular lineup.

ctregan · #17 02-14-2009, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eroy

actually building two basses side by side... one has a poplar ply flatback and the other is a solid poplar flatback.

Do you glue up your own poplar plywood for the ply back?

Eric Rene Roy · #18 02-14-2009, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctregan

Do you glue up your own poplar plywood for the ply back?

Yes, every layer. We make every plywood piece ourselves. We looked at having pieces made when we first thought about making our own basses, but no one could do what we wanted accurately enough...so we found a way to do it ourselves. I'm glad no one could give us what we wanted now as we can change things up and "experiment" fairly easily.

ctregan · #19 02-14-2009, 07:55 AM

With out giving away trade secrets....... what kind of glue is used?

I would imagine hide glue would be difficult to use because the time factor involved spreading glue on multiple layers of veneer. Also the risk of de-lamination with moisture contact. There are lots of adhesives out there for this purpose but, when acoustics are involved, choices are limited.

Eric Rene Roy · #20 02-14-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctregan

With out giving away trade secrets....... what kind of glue is used?

Sorry...end of the road for me on that one. I will say not hide glue. Totally inappropriate as you guessed.