Bass bar pulling away from top

'nother · #1 09-17-2005, 12:02 PM

My bass has been acting funky lately, buzzing and whatnot and today I found out why: looked inside and saw that the bass bar has separated from the top

, from the bottom to about just below the bridge. As a result, the top has collapsed a little, so the action has lowered (explains the buzzing). It is still sort of playable but . . . well, funky as I said.

Anyone care to make some generalizations on whether this is fixable and/or what's it gonna cost me? I'm in the S.F. Bay Area, California. The bass is not worth a ton of money so I'm reluctant to put more into the repair than it's worth. But on the other hand buying a new bass is going to put the hurt on my pocketbook right now

so I want to try to get an idea. Going to visit some local luthiers as soon as I can.

Any advice in the meantime (e.g. should I loosen string tension to prevent further issues)?

Thanks . . .

KSB - Ken Smith · #2 09-17-2005, 01:06 PM

Loosen strings NOW.. NOW>>

If you want to lessen the damage and save the Bass STOP playing it. Take it to a GOOD Bass repair person ASAP. I don't know your Bass or value either. Your Profile is not very detailed. To fix this, they have to remove the Top, Re-shape it to fix any 'sinking' make and fit a new Bass bar and all other related work. I estimate 2000-3000. I don't know prices there but 2k would almost be a gift from start to finish with all related work to make it playable again. If this is a Plywood Bass, then it may be an easier job.

'nother · #3 09-17-2005, 01:47 PM

Thanks for the reply. Sorry on the lack of detail . . . it's a ply, 50s-era "Pfreschner". I have no additional information on it (model, etc.), as bought it used about 6 years ago and that's all I know. It's been fine for a long time but just recently started going funky.

If $2-3K is what it's going to cost me I think I might as well just start looking for a new (to me) bass 'cuz I doubt this one's even worth $1K though I may still carry on with getting an estimate just to see.

Jeff Bollbach · #4 09-17-2005, 02:44 PM

aww, don't cry. If this is a plywood then it may not be such a difficult repair. The top can be loosed from the ribs to above the c-bout and the bar can usually be accessed and reglued. Not entirely elegant but not 2k either.

'nother · #5 09-17-2005, 05:52 PM

Well, just got back from one luthier and he's saying upwards of $700, which is more than I paid for the bass originally. I'm not sure I want to pour more money into this one when a new/different one might be a better investment longer term . . . or not?

jstiel · #6 09-18-2005, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'nother

Well, just got back from one luthier and he's saying upwards of $700, which is more than I paid for the bass originally. I'm not sure I want to pour more money into this one when a new/different one might be a better investment longer term . . . or not?

What you paid for it might not be the key consideration. I think the key is if the value after repair is at least equal to the value as-is plus the cost of the repair. If so, I would fix it.