What makes a double bass implode?

[Jazzint]

Hi. I'm curious about what factors make a double bass implode. I take it it's string tension against a top that for some reason has started to unglue, but I'm a layman, so I'm just guessing.
I'm sure the luthiers can contribute interesting information that us laymen are totally ingnorant of.
I'd like a physical explanation of the phenomenon, whenever possible. Answers like "poor craftmanship" are too general, IMHO; I'd prefer more specific details and reasons, if possible.

Secondly, are imploded basses usually repairable?

Thanks in advance.

[Ed Fuqua]

What do you mean by "implode"? Besides outside trauma - dropping it, ramming something through it etc.- there's lots of possibilities for disaster - bass bar coming loose, soundpost being too tight and causing crack in top, tension on strings when the soundpost is out of place causing the bridge to go through the top. Having the seams come unglued isn't a big deal, it pretty much happens every winter to most folks (especially if you don't keep humidity up). But string tension alone doesn't pull the neck off or drive the bridge through the bass.

You can pretty much have ANYTHING repaired, its' just a trade off as to how much it costs and how much the bass is worth.

[Jazzint]

I've just read about "implosion" in basses, mostly here in talkbass; I have no direct or indirect experience.
I meant something happening to the bass by itself, not aided by blows, hits, or external accidents, dropping it, etc.
The idea of the bridge going through the top, seams or the neck coming unglued is what I was imagining and fearing (ouch). The thing is I'm left-handed, and I'd like to give a try to the only entry-level left-handed double bass I can find online. But it's a Chinese-made Prima 80, which all of the connoiseurs here advise against.
I'm afraid it might come apart at the slightest breeze.
I know it fulfils all the no-nos: it's Chinese (no offence intended, I'm just echoing what I read), it's online, not in a specialized shop, I'm unable to hear it or try it, I'll have to invest on setup and new strings, etc... but the fact is there's none around my area for me to try. The most reputable double-bass shop in my area (2-hour drive) told me double basses for lefties don't exist! Another one, 5 hours from home, only can get me one made by previous order, from Romania. No chance of trying before buying.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by Jazzint

What makes a double bass implode?

It's a very strange meta-acoustical phenomenon: Every time Kenny G plays a high sustained note at the end of a long solo, somewhere in the world a double bass implodes.

[Jazzint]

Originally Posted by bongomania

It's a very strange meta-acoustical phenomenon: Every time Kenny G plays a high sustained note at the end of a long solo, somewhere in the world a double bass implodes.

By that theory, there'd be no double basses intact by now (you know Kenny G does that after every single solo, maximized by his ability to circle-breathe)

[Ed Fuqua]

That was pretty ****ing smart, if you ask me.

There are other companies that will do a left handed bass upon special order - Shen, Christopher etc. Since you're in Spain, why not look to the former SovBloc countries (like Hungary or Romania) that are churning out basses. Play a right handed one and, if you like how it sounds, order a lefty.

As far as your snit, you don't have very clearly formed questions to ask, but you have some pretty restrictive opinions about what you should get in terms of answers. That may not work so well.
Poor construction is in fact a very clear answer as to what to look out for. It's precisely that sort of "poor construction" - badly fitted neck joints, poorly fitted and glued fingerboards, rib joinings etc etc etc- that will fail with no outside "provocation". But it doesn't seem like you want advice, you want support for going against advice and buying a piece of crap sight/sound unseen over the web.

Sorry we haven't been more helpful.

[Jazzint]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

As far as your snit, you don't have very clearly formed questions to ask, but you have some pretty restrictive opinions about what you should get in terms of answers. That may not work so well.
But it doesn't seem like you want advice, you want support for going against advice and buying a piece of crap sight/sound unseen over the web.

Sorry we haven't been more helpful.

I fail to see a snit in my words, but then again, they might carry more than is intended. English is my 3rd language, and I'm not proficient at it, apparently.
Sorry if I ofended someone, it was never intended.
I'd like you to keep your comments coming, please

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by Jazzint

...Bongomania jokes, I joke back..
God, communication is dubious;

imho sometimes these little smilies can be really helpful. --->

[Steve Swan]

Simply having the brand name "Palatino" or "Cremona" on the interior label increases the probablility of implosion by apprioximately 2,194,883%. Scientists and instrument designers continue to be baffled.

[ctregan]

If you want a bass to implode, It would most likely involve the neck snapping. Loose fingerboard, cracked heel might make it happen. Could be dangerous.

Is this a utube project?

[anonymous02282011]

Originally Posted by bongomania

It's a very strange meta-acoustical phenomenon: Every time Kenny G plays a high sustained note at the end of a long solo, somewhere in the world a double bass implodes.

hilarious. lol.

on a more serious note, I've heard from several luthiers that if an instruments table is too thin it could in time cave-in under the pressure from the strings --> bridge.

[Jazzint]

Originally Posted by ctregan

If you want a bass to implode, It would most likely involve the neck snapping. Loose fingerboard, cracked heel might make it happen. Could be dangerous.

Is this a utube project?

No utube project. Just my petty ambitions.

Cracked heel? Ouch! That's one of my biggest fears, currently

[TroyK]

Based on what you've explained to us now, I wouldn't worry about "implosion" any more than we as people should worry about "spontanious combustion". There may be some unexplained reports of it, but it's extrodanirly unlikely to happy to you without a really clear explanation. If you plan to own a doublebass of any age or quality, you will have to be prepared to maintain it, though.

Your situation is not that different than most people's. The fact that you're left handed narrows or complicates your choices, but in either event it sounds like you're buying without trying. If there is a shop or luthier available to you, ask them for help. You're going to have to deal with them eventually in any event. If you find, say, a left-handed Romanian bass in (I hope I'm using this right and not being offensive) "la quinta coño", you could have them ship it to your local friendly luthier. Sometime shops will allow trials if they are shipping to another shop or luthier. Your situation may be different, but in the end, there's no getting around having good relations with whoever in your general area can service a bass. No matter what you buy.