this is probably a dumb question

narcopolo · #1 02-19-2008, 07:52 PM

but i'll ask anyway. i've found a used 1980's swingmaster. the dealer is asking $850, but based on previous experience, i believe i can negotiate down to between 550 and 700 for it. so far so good, right? here's the rub: there's a hole in it (on the side, kinda near the shoulder). not gigantic, but certainly a hole that i can fit my hand into (i would guess it fell on the corner of a table or stair). i'm not trying to buy something that's not going to work or sound good (advising someone who can't play well to judge an acoustic instrument's sound is kind of like asking an ape to evaluate an engine block) or fall apart, etc, but i also don't want to pass on a good deal for something that is purely cosmetic. being a subnovice, i figured i'd ask around. does this sound like enough of a problem that i should steer clear?

thanks for reading through that tirade!

jimmyduded · #2 02-19-2008, 08:09 PM

i know it requires alot of labor to put a new piece on(ive done it), im not sure what my boss charged but it was probably well over 1200 after taking the top off(which you have to), id steer clear of it man, even if you know a luthier who will do it for a discount, you have to take the top off which is a pretty penny, and then replace your rib, if you still want it send me a pm with pictures and ill forward it to my boss who will give you an estimate-jim

Mike Goodbar · #3 02-19-2008, 08:09 PM

Hey, some people put holes in their ribs on purpose!

jimmyduded · #4 02-19-2008, 08:11 PM

or to hide candy in, haha im sure its a tone robber though

Gufenov · #5 02-19-2008, 08:31 PM

George Cordwell of the King's Countrymen repaired a small hole in the ribs by outlining it with a doll-house window frame and putting a small mouse inside - it's the "mouse house bass." Sure doesn't hurt his sound any!

scotty77 · #6 02-19-2008, 08:47 PM

If it were me, I'd go for it if you can get the bass for a great price. But, I've got a complete wood working shop so the challenge would be fun.
And, as has been pointed out, I know some makers are adding soundports. I know that is also a big thing right now in some pretty high end acoustic guitars. (Ooops, did I just say a no-no.)

jimmyduded · #7 02-19-2008, 08:50 PM

yes they are adding soundpots but i believe those guitars have no soundholes, a bass has its f holes

Jake deVilliers · #8 02-19-2008, 10:31 PM

Hey polo, if you're just looking for a bass to learn on, and if the bass is tight and decently set up, get the price down and buy it. Don't let the bass snobs hold you back!

You can play it with the hole in it. The bass is plywood, it won't fall apart, and you can patch that hole down the road when you decide you love the bass and want to do it a favour. There's no need to do a top-off rib replacement on a bass like that - I mean it would be nice, but a well-executed patch would be okay too.

The extra sound port will probably diminish the bass and add some upper mids but so what?

robobass · #9 02-20-2008, 02:40 AM

Which side? If the hole is on the right, it could actually be helpful. I bet the sound that leaks out of those holes in the above pictured bass actually make it easier to play in tune in loud environments. A built in monitor! I've seen an American bass which had diamond shaped holes built into the C-bouts. Anyone know these instruments?
Robobass

M Ramsey · #10 02-20-2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyduded

yes they are adding soundpots but i believe those guitars have no soundholes, a bass has its f holes

I'd like to try a bass with a hole in the shoulder area. Here's a link to McKnight Guitars (no endorsement, I saw them in Nashville last fall) and the difference in volume and tone were incredible.

We took turns listening to a good player on one of these guitars and then placing our hand over the soundport and hearing the difference.

Not that I'm going to cut holes into my basses, but I would try this bass mentioned with the hole (if it's in this same area) and play the bass as the hole was opened and covered.

It may be pretty amazing, like your own personal monitor, right there in your face.

arnoldschnitzer · #11 02-20-2008, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robobass

Which side? If the hole is on the right, it could actually be helpful. I bet the sound that leaks out of those holes in the above pictured bass actually make it easier to play in tune in loud environments. A built in monitor! I've seen an American bass which had diamond shaped holes built into the C-bouts. Anyone know these instruments?
Robobass

Those were made by Paul Toenniges in Los Angeles around the WWII era. Robo, I agree with what you said about the monitor. That's why I built the bass that way! Jimmy, you need to hear it for yourself. It's in NJ...

robobass · #12 02-20-2008, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

Robo, I agree with what you said about the monitor. That's why I built the bass that way!

Great idea! But I doubt I could talk my orchestra into cutting holes in our Poellmanns!
Robobass

jakusx · #13 02-20-2008, 09:49 AM

Put some duct tape over it and rock out.

wineaux · #14 02-20-2008, 11:46 AM

Narco,

You can probablly do better. In the DC area, used E's -- without extra holes -- can be found for about the same money this dealer is looking for. Check other shops, craigslist, etc. for leads. Good luck -- and let us know what you decide.

jimmyduded · #15 02-20-2008, 03:07 PM

first of all, im not a bass snob, im trying to help this guy out for if he decides to get the rib replaced in the future

second of all i see how it could act as a monitor, but i think it would be on the left side(if it fell into stairs and the person was carrying it corectly, then it should have it on the left side)

i assume a patch could be made to fit however the way he described it, its a rather large hole

if you can get it for a little less than 500 then you might as well buy it, then lather get the rib replaced, im out of this conversation because it seems like im stepping on everyones toes, but ill still check in to see how it progresses and what the ultimate decision is

Arandaz · #16 02-20-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyduded

(if it fell into stairs and the person was carrying it corectly, then it should have it on the left side)

how could you predict what side the hole was on? couldn't he have been carrying it with either the right or left hand?

jimmyduded · #17 02-20-2008, 03:39 PM

well its a right handed bass(i assuming), that means usually(the most common way to carry) is to put your right hand under the right c bout and put your left hand on the other bout, the neck or the handle on the case

**Matthew Tucker** · #18 02-20-2008, 09:10 PM

I dunno. Can't assume anything really.

The owner might have sneezed and shot his false teeth through the player-side ribs. Check inside, see if there are any false teeth!

If the hole is on the far side, you could fit an aftermarket scoop to redirect the sound back to the player

might look a bit funny though.

Also ... guitars with sound ports usually DO have conventional sound holes as well.

I'm sorely tempted to try a sound port in a bass soon. I find that when playing with a few others acoustically i have to play louder so I can hear myself, but it often ends up that I'm playing too loud for the others, I can hear myself but not them so well. So I hold back a bit, and find I have trouble hearing myself. I think a sound port would solve this.

(looks from bass ... to tool shelf ... back to bass ...)

Jake deVilliers · #19 02-20-2008, 09:49 PM

Maybe you could mount a stethoscope on the driver's side rib!

scotty77 · #20 02-20-2008, 09:53 PM

Hey, that's a good idea. But then you'd have to change your name to Dr. Bass.