"Bumpers" for the edge of an instrument.

[James Gibson]

Does anyone use these?

http://gollihurmusic.com/product/189...T_BUMPERS.html

I'm interested in getting some "bumpers" on my bass's treble side ribs to protect it when I lay it down on the band stand or in the rehearsal room. I've heard that players used to use piano accidentals, but I don't know if I believe that. I'm interested in the ones linked above on the Gollihur site. They would seem to be a cheap, DIY option. Can anyone offer testament to these products, or any other option. Advice either way would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Don Higdon]

If you do an Advanced Search on Bumpers, you'll find some lengthy threads on the subject.

[James Gibson]

Thanks!

[Michael Eisenman]

I installed a set on my bass yesterday, and I think they turned out just dandy, so I want to share. I got the idea of using a fan belt from the threads here.

I used a Gates A30 fan belt (1/2") and cut the pieces 2" long for the upper bout and 3" long for the lower bout. (Lay a straightedge along the two bouts to determine the touch points.) I wouldn't go with a smaller 3/8" belt because it probably wouldn't protrude far enough from the rib.

I flattened the contact areas on a belt sander and beveled the ends to thin them so they would be less likely to pull away from the body. I then used a black Sharpie marker to hide the belt fibers. They look like a bridge on an archtop guitar.

I centered the upper-bout pieces on the touch points. The lower-bout pieces are positioned so that the north ends are on the touch points, which allows for a bit of rolling of the body. I attached them with contact cement (specifically Barge brand). They're not going anywhere, but they can be removed. Good for 50,000 miles, I think. I gave the remaining fan belt material to my luthier for his other customers.

[James Gibson]

Eisenman, those look great! I'm afraid I don't have access to a belt sander, so I might have to resort to the ready-made ones on the Gollihur site.

[George700DL]

Originally Posted by Michael Eisenman

I installed a set on my bass yesterday, and I think they turned out just dandy, so I want to share. I got the idea of using a fan belt from the threads here.

I used a Gates A30 fan belt (1/2") and cut the pieces 2" long for the upper bout and 3" long for the lower bout. (Lay a straightedge along the two bouts to determine the touch points.) I wouldn't go with a smaller 3/8" belt because it probably wouldn't protrude far enough from the rib.

I flattened the contact areas on a belt sander and beveled the ends to thin them so they would be less likely to pull away from the body. I then used a black Sharpie marker to hide the belt fibers. They look like a bridge on an archtop guitar.

I centered the upper-bout pieces on the touch points. The lower-bout pieces are positioned so that the north ends are on the touch points, which allows for a bit of rolling of the body. I attached them with contact cement (specifically Barge brand). They're not going anywhere, but they can be removed. Good for 50,000 miles, I think. I gave the remaining fan belt material to my luthier for his other customers.

They look great!

I used a very old, thick leather belt for my bumpers. On the lower bout, I used to have the 2" bumpers as well, until I discovered that my friend, who also uses my bass from time to time, drags it a little while picking it up, totally bypassing the lower bout bumpers. So I took them off and installed longer ones. Now my lower bout bumpers basically run almost to the end pin.

George

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Originally Posted by James Gibson

Does anyone use these?

http://gollihurmusic.com/product/189...T_BUMPERS.html

I'm interested in getting some "bumpers" on my bass's treble side ribs to protect it when I lay it down on the band stand or in the rehearsal room. I've heard that players used to use piano accidentals, but I don't know if I believe that. I'm interested in the ones linked above on the Gollihur site. They would seem to be a cheap, DIY option. Can anyone offer testament to these products, or any other option. Advice either way would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

I don't use Bob's yet, but after seeing these, I'll sure order a set. I've been using rubber stick-on bumpers for years, and they work beautifully. These look even better.

[bassphase]

I have Bob Gollihur's bumpers on 2 basses and the look and work fine. I got the brown color and dyed them to match a little closer. Easy to apply too.


bob

[Michael Eisenman]

Originally Posted by James Gibson

Eisenman, those look great!...

I think so, too, but to give credit where credit is due, these bumpers were inspired by the fabulous "PW Fan Belt Bass Bumpers." Thank you, PAUL!

[Paul Warburton]

Yer welcome, Michael. Wouldlja like to be an endorser?

Free used fan belt pieces for the rest of your life.
(You pay the shipping).

[Damon Rondeau]

In the giving credit where it's due department, I think it may have been luthier Jeff Bollbach who first presented the fan belt idea here at TalkBass. But maybe that was round about the time we first starting hearing from P-Dub -- can't remember.

Jeff hasn't been seen in these parts for some years now, but his contributions to TB, in the earlier days, were vast and substantial. Vastly substantial, I guess you could say.

[Paul Warburton]

Are you sure, Damon, about MY bumper thing? We better check with Jeff.......I gotta book in the works called "The life and times of the inventor of The fabulous PW fan-belt bass bumpers". I'm gonna put in a call to my attorney as we speak just in case.

Yeah, seriously, I miss Jeff and some of the other guys who bit the dust around here.
I even miss Branstetter......

[Damon Rondeau]

Nah, P, I'm not sure at all about who was on first with the fan belt thing. I am sure that I miss Jeff and Bob and boys too. Just wanted to get his name up there!

(Was it the contact cement? Jeff's thing, I mean -- not the reason why I don't remember...)

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

I even miss Branstetter......

Me too. Bob's a class act.

FWIW, I have put the Warburton bumpers on two basses. Up until now I was unaware that Jeff ever used them.
Send me a bill.

[Schoolhouse]

I've used them on three basses. So far they've stayed on. The corners were trimmed a bit to make them more elegant. Ebony is still my favorite, but a lot more work. International Violin also sells them.