Anything to worry about? [Pictures]

Oscar South · #1 08-10-2007, 09:44 AM

I spotted a possible weak spot in my bass earlier that I am a bit worried about, it looks like the top is starting to come away from the sides. The wood has been chipped in this way here since I got it, though I didn't take a close look until now so I'm not sure whether it was splitting like that all along or if its developed. I've attached some pictures, would you be able to tell me if its anything to worry about and whether I should do anything or have anything done about it?

Thanks,
Oscar.

MingusAmongUs · #2 08-10-2007, 09:50 AM

Seams do come apart with weather changes. It's "normal", but it should be taken care of because 1) it will get worse and 2) it will affect the sound of the bass (you may hear buzzing). A good luthier will glue it up good as new.

drurb · #3 08-10-2007, 11:21 AM

Looking closely at the left-most picture, it's hard to tell if the split is at the seam or between the plys of the top. It looks as if some of the thickness of the top is behind the paper, that is, behind the split. The middle picture seems to show the same thing. In any case, Mingus is quite correct. A luthier should be able to take care of it and it is wise to make the repair sooner than later.

Oscar South · #4 08-10-2007, 11:27 AM

I can't get the paper all the way through, it only goes as far as it shows in that pic, all the way along.

Eric Hochberg · #5 08-10-2007, 02:05 PM

It looks like the bass could have been laid down on its side on carpeting and when it was lifted up, the carpet snagged a good size splinter and tore it off. This is probably mainly cosmetic and can be repaired. If the seam is open it can easily be repaired.

toman · #6 08-10-2007, 02:05 PM

Looks and sounds to me like delamination. Get it glued up before it gets worse; shouldn't cost much.

Silversorcerer · #7 08-10-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toman

Looks and sounds to me like delamination. Get it glued up before it gets worse; shouldn't cost much.

Yep, that's delamination. Is that on the lower bout or the upper bout? It looks like it might have taken a pretty good hit on the edge. If you can get some thin hide glue in there and weight it (not too heavy) with all the tension off the strings or use some body clamps, that might work.

Oscar South · #8 08-10-2007, 05:19 PM

Upper, I think I'm going to take it into a shop in Birmingham, I wouldn't really know what I was doing and I want the action adjusted anyway.