Cracked rib!

mjt0229 · #1 09-10-2007, 11:20 AM

I played the last note of Messiaen's Turangalila last night, and then looked down and saw that a crack has developed on the upper rib on the player's right.

Now, I know I need to get this fixed (I'm calling a luthier today), but I'm kind of wanting to have an idea of what to expect - will they have to take the top off? Am I going to have to sell a kidney?

It hurts to look at.

JoeyNaeger · #2 09-10-2007, 11:36 AM

Do you have a picture of it? If it's small enough, it may simple enough to fix. I had a rib crack open in the middle of a concert(sounded like a loud gunshot), and since it was so large the top had to come off to fix it.

mjt0229 · #3 09-10-2007, 11:53 AM

I don't have a photo- it only happened last night and I haven't had the bass home to my camera yet. I'll post one tonight for anyone who's interested, plus a follow up after it's repaired.

I called my luthier and we discussed the possibilities, and it sounds to me like the top is going to come off, unless it seems like simply injecting some glue would fix it. My inclination is to fix this (and maybe any other developing problems) right the first time.

Eric Hochberg · #4 09-10-2007, 12:02 PM

I've had a few of these over the years probably caused by dryness in winter, and so far, the top has not had to come off for any of them. I have a current crack from a falling cymbal stand that is stable, but to fix it the top will have to come off as it is impossible to line up the two edges of the crack from the outside.