Bass Bar

[David Kaczorowski]

I was reading through some old ISB journals (the new online library is awesome!) and read an old article by Chuck Traeger about bass bars losing their springiness and needing to be replaced every ten years or so. Any thoughts on this? Anyone having their bass bar replaced every ten years?

[Cody Sisk]

There's much debate on this: whether to spring a bass bar or to chalk fit it exactly to the top. Aside from that, I believe that if your bass still has good arching and the top isn't sagging under the bridge, it would be too invasive to get in and replace the bass bar. You don't want to take the top off a bass more than necessary.

[robobass]

Every ten years? That's hard for me to absorb. Anyone have his book handy? I'd be curious as to what he says in there.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by David Kaczorowski

I was reading through some old ISB journals (the new online library is awesome!) and read an old article by Chuck Traeger about bass bars losing their springiness and needing to be replaced every ten years or so. Any thoughts on this? Anyone having their bass bar replaced every ten years?

To me that's like saying "The 1700's belly wood on that Strad is old and worn out and needs to be replaced." Kinda silly...

If your top is sinking you might consider replacing the bass bar but I wouldn't suggest it as regular maintenance like changing your timing belt.

[Don Higdon]

Read this, from Jeff Bollbach:
http://jeffbollbach.com/JB%20II/luthier_rant3.htm

[Cody Sisk]

Originally Posted by robobass

Every ten years? That's hard for me to absorb. Anyone have his book handy? I'd be curious as to what he says in there.

I hope I'm properly citing here:

"Now I will explain how I go about springing in my bass bar. If there is a self bar carved out of the top (except in a collection instrument), or if the bar is more than 25 years old, I usually replace the bass bar. The reason is that the old bar has stiffened with with time and exposure; a new bar will generally give a brighter sound and play more freely. In some cases it is apparent that the old bar was not the best length, placement or shape for good results. Sometimes the bar must be removed so that you can work on damage in this area of the belly. Except for the last, the choice of installing a new bar ultimately is up to the owner of the bass."

- Chuck Traeger, The Setup and Repair of the Double Bass for Optimum Sound

From this, I gather that Chuck would consider a number of variables before replacing a bass bar. I have found nothing in his book mentioning regular replacement of the bass bar.

Edit- However I have not read the ISB article, perhaps he has changed his position on this subject..

[kurt ratering]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Read this, from Jeff Bollbach:
http://jeffbollbach.com/JB%20II/luthier_rant3.htm

excellent

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by DallasStrings

I hope I'm properly citing here:

"Now I will explain how I go about springing in my bass bar. If there is a self bar carved out of the top (except in a collection instrument), or if the bar is more than 25 years old, I usually replace the bass bar. The reason is that the old bar has stiffened with with time and exposure; a new bar will generally give a brighter sound and play more freely. In some cases it is apparent that the old bar was not the best length, placement or shape for good results. Sometimes the bar must be removed so that you can work on damage in this area of the belly. Except for the last, the choice of installing a new bar ultimately is up to the owner of the bass.".

What's curious here is that he starts off saying "springing", and never uses the word again nor describes the technique of springing.

[Damon Rondeau]

If the bass bar has stiffened with time, then so has the top. Maybe that should go, too?

[David Kaczorowski]

Your reactions are all the same as mine. He also mentioned the soundpost and bridge stiffening.

[Matthew Tucker]

Traeger does cover springing the bar, and does mention the 10-year changeover, but at different and not very logical places in the book. Its not an easy book to find stuff in, and he contradicts himself quite often. And there are a number of things just not explained. But at the end of the day, he is always careful to say that this is HIS way of doing it, and there are other ways. Ultimately you must think carefully about the issue and do as much research as you need to make your own decision based on what YOU feel.

[Don Higdon]

My idea of research is to ask Arnold.

[bigolbassguy]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

... Its not an easy book to find stuff in, and he contradicts himself quite often. And there are a number of things just not explained ...

+1 I've cursed the "index" of that book more than once.

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

To me that's like saying "The 1700's belly wood on that Strad is old and worn out and needs to be replaced." Kinda silly...

I have a pet theory about this - that the bass bar losing its spring might be part of what makes instruments open up as they age. Unfortunately, I don't have any real experience to back that up.

[Cody Sisk]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

My idea of research is to ask Arnold.

This quote should be a banner across the Setup & Repair Forum..

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by bigolbassguy

I have a pet theory about this - that the bass bar losing its spring might be part of what makes instruments open up as they age. Unfortunately, I don't have any real experience to back that up.

Well i think your hunch has a lot of merit

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

My idea of research is to ask Arnold.

[George700DL]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

Well i think your hunch has a lot of merit

So how do I spring a carved-in bass bar?

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by George700DL

So how do I spring a carved-in bass bar?

You don't.

[Matthew Tucker]

Spruce is inherently "springy". You don't need to pre-load it like reinforced concrete.

[George700DL]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

You don't.

I was joking.

George