Bass bar Detached - Screw it?

Vin · #1 07-03-2003, 12:02 PM

I was looking at a bass for sale. '53 Kay for 800 bucks. The site says "The bass bar is slightly detached and may be warped to the point where only screws thru the top will get it to hold." Ok so how much would it cost to replace the bass bar? I'd rather not screw thru the bass if possible. Thanks guys!

Bob Branstetter · #2 07-03-2003, 12:36 PM

I can't think of a much faster way to make an instrument lose most of it's value that putting screws through the top. Loose bass bars on Kay basses is a pretty common malady and can frequently be reglued without totally removing the top. Repair prices vary greatly from one part of the country to another, so talk to your local luthiers for a ballpark estimate.

Marcus Johnson · #3 07-03-2003, 01:34 PM

Oh man, I've seen that "repair" on a Kay. There's a guy out here who has not only sunk a bunch of big screws thru the top into the bass bar, he's also screwed the soundpost on from the top and the back. He finished off the hapless beast with a few coats of white Krylon. Sheesh.

davegr8house · #4 07-03-2003, 01:44 PM

The Bass Bar is warped or the Top Table?
Dave

Vin · #5 07-03-2003, 02:05 PM

The bass bar is warped, not the top.

Yeah I'm not crazy about the idea of driving screws into the thing. I can't imagine that would really help anything at all.

So for 800 bucks though, the rest of the bass (1953 Kay M1) is supposed to be in great condition, is it worth it or is this going to be a major issue? is the repair cost to resale value ratio pretty good? or am i going to sink another 500 bucks into a bass that remains an $800 bass?

i guess it's a non-issue actually because i have no cash, but in the event i should come across the money, i wanna be ready to go.

Bob Branstetter · #6 07-03-2003, 02:32 PM

I would like to know how he was able to tell the bar was warped. My past experience with Kays tells me that is highly unlikey.

Vin · #7 07-03-2003, 05:38 PM

Here you can check out the website.

http://basspalace.com/dynamic/displa...tringBass/2655

I don't really know how it could be warped. i'm kind of curious myself.

while you're at it, check out this poor thing.

http://www.basspalace.com/dynamic/di...tringBass/2827

ugh. this is what's in my price range. i need a new job!

arnoldschnitzer · #8 07-03-2003, 07:27 PM

If the bass bar has only been partially detached for a short while, and the gap is small, it could possibly be glued up without top removal. If the top has to be taken off, the bar should be removed and a new one fitted. This could cost from about $750 to over $2000, depending on the location and the luthier. If the bass is great, you'll end up with a $2500-3000 instrument.

Don Higdon · #9 07-05-2003, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marcus Johnson
Oh man, I've seen that "repair" on a Kay. There's a guy out here who has not only sunk a bunch of big screws thru the top into the bass bar, he's also screwed the soundpost on from the top and the back. He finished off the hapless beast with a few coats of white Krylon. Sheesh.

Please tell me this was a do-it-yourself repair by the owner, so I know the a-hole got what he deserved.

Marcus Johnson · #10 07-05-2003, 03:11 PM

Actually, he's half of a very famous Hawaiian duo, brothers, who've become extremely successful and wealthy over the years.

nicklloyd · #11 07-06-2003, 10:39 AM

wow, what a thread...
.02-Skip the purchase of this Kay, unless you can get it cheaper

There are other Kays out there with less problems.

Marcus- I read in the past about a Hawaiian bass convention? Have you been to it? I'm trying to talk Jeff into going...

Marcus Johnson · #12 07-06-2003, 12:41 PM

Yup, it's an annual DB symposium in Honolulu that I always miss because I'm all booked up by the time I hear about it. I'm playing the Hawaii Int'l Jazz Fest over there on the 19th, and I'll be seeing a couple of the bassists who participate in the Symposium, so if I can find out anything, I'll post it here.

Whoops, make that every two years, next one should be in '04. Here's an article on the last one.http://starbulletin.com/2002/03/22/features/story3.html

Let me know if you're comin', I'll clear my sched. Save some time for Maui.

Vin · #13 07-08-2003, 11:03 PM

hey -- thanks for the advice on this. i emailed the guy at the shop and he said someone already put a deposit down on it anyway, so no biggie. i'm gonna just hold off for a while until i get some extra money together, whenever the heck that may be.

anyone need a slightly used graphic designer???