bass bar repair and insurance

dperrott · #1 11-23-2005, 12:27 PM

It looks like my bass bar is loose! I am so upset. I was worried for a while that there was something wrong with it. It will cost alot of money to repair. Anyone have experience getting this done? How did the bass sound after the repair? The big issue is of insurance. Does anyone have experience getting insurance to pay for the repairs? I may have a problem since there is no direct "accident" involved. My music insurance from Anderson insurance. I changed to them after Clarions rates went sky high.
dp

Tbeers · #2 11-23-2005, 12:48 PM

My teacher had that repair done. It wasn't to make the instrument sound better, but rather to get rid of the buzzing that the loose bar was causing. I wouldn't expect a dramatic difference in sound.

I'm no expert on instrument insurance, sorry....

arnoldschnitzer · #3 11-23-2005, 05:28 PM

As you already stated, to collect insurance for the repair you'll have to explain what the incident was that caused the bass bar to loosen. As far as tone, the bass should sound considerably better with its bass bar properly attached. One caveat; you should have a new bass bar installed, rather than simply having the old one glued back on. There is a reason the joint failed. Perhaps the bass bar did not fit well to begin with, or maybe the bar was installed with too much spring. The other possibility is that the bass' top took a whack, and then you have a legitimate insurance claim...

dperrott · #4 11-23-2005, 05:42 PM

Thanks for your input. I will have a new bass bar put in. Thats one reason it will be so expensive. I think the bar had too much spring in it.

KSB - Ken Smith · #5 11-23-2005, 09:54 PM

What Bass is this you are having trouble with. If it is a new Bass, the maker or supplier should back up his work or product. With insurance, they will usually only cover damage or loss and not maintainance or product failure which seems to be the problem in your case.

Listen to Arnold, he is one of the best restorers in the country. If your Bar is loose, it was not put in correctly. Either the joint or the glue failed. The other thing that fails with Bass Bars is sinkage and cracks. In those cases the Bar is still attached but not doing it's job. For the Bar to do it's job it must be attached!

dperrott · #6 11-23-2005, 10:42 PM

My hunch is it is the builders fault. My STRONG hunch. The bass is only 9 years old. I will reluctanly take it to the maker. I don't want to publicly slame the shop. I am fearful of his repairs after hearing a luthiers rant (and often a member of this forum) complain of this builder/manufacturer. This luthier worked in the shop. I have also replaced the warped cheap, original fingerboard. So as you see I am reluctant to have him do the work but I may be forced to depending on the economic situation. It is such a expensive repair.

KSB - Ken Smith · #7 11-24-2005, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dperrott

My hunch is it is the builders fault. My STRONG hunch. The bass is only 9 years old. I will reluctanly take it to the maker. I don't want to publicly slame the shop. I am fearful of his repairs after hearing a luthiers rant (and often a member of this forum) complain of this builder/manufacturer. This luthier worked in the shop. I have also replaced the warped cheap, original fingerboard. So as you see I am reluctant to have him do the work but I may be forced to depending on the economic situation. It is such a expensive repair.

You couldn't..be..any..clearer !!

I read your profile and now know which Bass you are referring to. I don't know if your Bass is from China or Eastern Europe but 9 years is a tough spot to be in. If it was within a year or two or what ever period might be the warranty if there was one, then you could go back to the seller if you wanted to.

That being said, your best option at this point and being you are in NYC/Brooklyn is to jump on the belt pkwy etc. and take it to Jeff (the 'ranter'.. lol). He his about the best you will find and his prices from what I hear are very reasonable. He will do an excellent job on your Bass and it may even be better when he is done with it than it's best day since you bought it.

I think in your shoes I would not go back to the builder/seller and risk a repair bill that might not get you the best for your money. 'Bite the bullet' and take it to Jeff. That's your best option as I see it.

Don Higdon · #8 11-24-2005, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dperrott

So as you see I am reluctant to have him do the work but I may be forced to depending on the economic situation. It is such a expensive repair.

Right. So how painstaking do you expect a make-good to be?

Jeff Bollbach · #9 11-24-2005, 11:22 PM

Whaaa?

Ed Fuqua · #10 11-29-2005, 11:40 AM

What DONO is saying is: if you take it back to the guys who sold it to you, how much effort do you think they're gonna make to "make it right"?

I think he should take it to you, too.

idahohay · #11 11-29-2005, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dperrott

It looks like my bass bar is loose!
dp

Forgive me if I sound ignorant but can you actually see that the bass bar is loose?

dperrott · #12 11-30-2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idahohay

Forgive me if I sound ignorant but can you actually see that the bass bar is loose?

Yes, the repair shop showed me with the mirror.