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07-22-2008, 01:36 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Seattle, WA | | | What are the structural issues to watch for if buying an old laminated bass?
The title says it all. I'm considering an old laminated bass, and want to try to be sure I know what I'm doing. Shouldn't there be examples getting up to 100 years old soon?
Thanks in advance.
RD
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Last edited by RD : 07-22-2008 at 01:47 AM.
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07-22-2008, 01:50 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Orleans | | | Watch out for the top being slightly caved in. Maybe the tone post fell and nothing done, or the bass bar came loose and let the arch in the top collapse. It can be hard to notice this at first with a cool old instrument because they are distracting. All the mojo can take your eye off of what really counts. Take your time. It's also nice if someone holds the bass upright and you inspect the curves at a distance. The seams coming apart isn't that big a deal. |
07-22-2008, 03:19 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Syracuse N.Y. | | | Plywood tops can be thin in the belly. Overtime, lumps may appear at the sound post area or depressions at the bridge feet.
What make is the Bass? Many problems are specific to certain makes and models. |
07-22-2008, 07:11 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, TX | | | I have an old plywood with a thin top and it does have lumps front and back where the sound post is in place. I don't think that sound post is going anywhere. The bass plays fine, but what sort of problem should I be watching for? |
07-22-2008, 08:04 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Boone, NC | | | Take a real good look at where the neck meets the body. Neck joints on old ply basses are often not very good. Look for cracks in the heel, the neck pulling forward, and the neck being tilted to one side. Also be on the look out for poorly concieved repairs. Srews, epoxy and bondo are big red flags. If you have a bass in mind, post some pics, you'll get some pretty good advice that way. |
07-22-2008, 09:59 AM
|  | Oracle, Ancient Order of Rass Hattur | | Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Connecticut | | | Your best insurance is to have a luthier examine the instrument before you commit the cash. |
07-22-2008, 02:43 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Seattle, WA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by drurb  Your best insurance is to have a luthier examine the instrument before you commit the cash. | Word! |
07-22-2008, 03:33 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Orillia Ontario Canada | | | I agree with Drurb wholeheartedly. For example, you need to have the top removed by a luthier to see what shape the bass bar is in, and whether or not it is still attached properly. If it hasn't been used for quite some time, you'll probably need a new bridge too. |
07-22-2008, 04:40 PM
| | AES Fine Instruments | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Brewster, NY, USA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by mapleleaf4evr I agree with Drurb wholeheartedly. For example, you need to have the top removed by a luthier to see what shape the bass bar is in, and whether or not it is still attached properly. | WHAT?????????????????????????????????????????????? ??  |
07-22-2008, 05:13 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC | | | I think Arnold is saying that the top does NOT need to be removed to do an internal inspection. |
07-22-2008, 05:19 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Seattle, WA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by salcott I think Arnold is saying that the top does NOT need to be removed to do an internal inspection. | Thanks, you answered my question.
Arnold, do you have any wisdom you'd care to share on this topic?
RD
Last edited by RD : 07-22-2008 at 05:22 PM.
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07-22-2008, 05:56 PM
| | AES Fine Instruments | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Brewster, NY, USA | | | Yes. Be on the lookout for delaminations around the plate edges and around the f-holes. Sometimes these can be fatal. |
07-22-2008, 06:17 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Seattle, WA | | | Gracias amigos!
Think I'll start saving my pennies for a ply, NS Cleveland.
RD |
07-22-2008, 09:05 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC | | | Good thinking there. |
07-22-2008, 09:56 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Fairfield, CT | | Quote:
Originally Posted by RD Gracias amigos!
Think I'll start saving my pennies for a ply, NS Cleveland.
RD | Can't go wrong there. Don't have to be on the lookout for anything. |  | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
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