Bridge slid off, top seems to be lower on treble side

periodical · #1 10-11-2009, 09:08 PM

Tonight at rehearsal, my bridge slid off in the middle of playing. I tried to put it back on, but the foot of the treble side was maybe 1/8 of an inch lower than the bass side. Where the foot rests is now completely flat on the treble side, whereas the bass side still has the slight curve. Is this something that can just be reinforced? What kinda repair bill might I be looking at?

drurb · #2 10-11-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by periodical

Tonight at rehearsal, my bridge slid off in the middle of playing. I tried to put it back on, but the foot of the treble side was maybe 1/8 of an inch lower than the bass side. Where the foot rests is now completely flat on the treble side, whereas the bass side still has the slight curve. Is this something that can just be reinforced? What kinda repair bill might I be looking at?

Did the sound post fall?!

My advice: Get the tension off that top RIGHT NOW and have it checked ASAP!

periodical · #3 10-11-2009, 09:33 PM

Sound post is still up and doesn't seem to have moved.

drurb · #4 10-11-2009, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by periodical

Sound post is still up and doesn't seem to have moved.

If the G-side of the top suddenly sunk like that, then my advice still stands. Get the tension off the top and get to a good luthier.

periodical · #5 10-11-2009, 09:38 PM

Thanks. Any idea if it's a terminal kinda issue? Or what procedure they would do on it? The bass is kinda a beater, but I need it this coming weekend for gigs.

drurb · #6 10-11-2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by periodical

Thanks. Any idea if it's a terminal kinda issue? Or what procedure they would do on it? The bass is kinda a beater, but I need it this coming weekend for gigs.

Indeed, I have a number ideas but it really has to be seen-- and by someone skilled in luthiery. Too many possibilities to comment but if a sudden change occurred in the profile of the top, then it doesn't sound good at all. Under normal circumstances, bridges under tension don't just slide off unless they suffer a substantial blow. Something sounds quite amiss. Sorry.

periodical · #7 10-11-2009, 10:07 PM

Ugh, well maybe it's time for a new upright. Thanks for the quick response!

Sidenote - anyone know of a good luthier in Dallas?

Eric Rene Roy · #8 10-12-2009, 06:33 AM

Is this a laminate or a hybrid? My guess is the back is laminated and has pushed out from the sound post allowing the top to sink on the treb side. A 4" round spruce soundpost platform glued on the back (inside) and a series of soundposts (each one taller than the last over a year...like braces on a teenager) will train the top back into place....then a similar soundpost platform for the top once the shape is restored a bit.

Paul Warburton · #9 10-12-2009, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by periodical

Sidenote - anyone know of a good luthier in Dallas?

Cody Sisk, @ Dallas Strings posts here. Do a TB search.

Cody Sisk · #10 10-12-2009, 07:08 AM

Thanks Paul, he's bringing it by today for me to have a look..

periodical · #11 10-12-2009, 01:47 PM

Cody - Thanks a ton, you're awesome.

Everyone else - Please drive from far and wide to patronize Cody's shop.

fdeck · #12 10-12-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Rene Roy

Is this a laminate or a hybrid? My guess is the back is laminated and has pushed out from the sound post allowing the top to sink on the treb side. A 4" round spruce soundpost platform glued on the back (inside) and a series of soundposts (each one taller than the last over a year...like braces on a teenager) will train the top back into place....then a similar soundpost platform for the top once the shape is restored a bit.

Can this work with a plywood top as well?

drurb · #13 10-12-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by periodical

Cody - Thanks a ton, you're awesome.

Everyone else - Please drive from far and wide to patronize Cody's shop.

Eh-- so what happened?

periodical · #14 10-12-2009, 07:03 PM

Sorry, here's the story.

The soundpost had slid down pretty far, and the bridge lost grip and fell off. The top has gone a little concave where the bridge rests, but with the soundpost back where it was, it plays/sounds like it used to. Long term I might have to have the top reinforced, but the bass isn't worth enough to really spend more than a few hundred on.

I took it in and Cody reshaped the end of the soundpost so it would sit flush with the top, and reset it for me. He also fashioned some basswood inserts to hold my K&K piezo on the bridge. All free of charge. Crisis averted and I'm set for my gigs.

drurb · #15 10-12-2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by periodical

Sorry, here's the story.

The soundpost had slid down pretty far, and the bridge lost grip and fell off. The top has gone a little concave where the bridge rests, but with the soundpost back where it was, it plays/sounds like it used to. Long term I might have to have the top reinforced, but the bass isn't worth enough to really spend more than a few hundred on.

I took it in and Cody reshaped the end of the soundpost so it would sit flush with the top, and reset it for me. He also fashioned some basswood inserts to hold my K&K piezo on the bridge. All free of charge. Crisis averted and I'm set for my gigs.

All's well that ends well.

Cody Sisk · #16 10-13-2009, 06:06 AM

Bah.. I didn't cut enough wood to warrant charging him. We spent more time trying out my basses and gabbing than I did actually working on his bass.

drurb · #17 10-13-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DallasStrings

Bah.. I didn't cut enough wood to warrant charging him. We spent more time trying out my basses and gabbing than I did actually working on his bass.

Proving once again that DB folks are among the nicest on earth.