Extensive repair diy?

baszz · #1 10-26-2008, 06:16 PM

Hei, fellows. I have an old 5 string doublebass, with a broken/cracked top. Just wonder if it's possible to do some or the whole job myself if I have the right equipment. I have to take the top off, maybe remove the bass beam and glue the cracks,then set glue the top on place. The top is quite thin, compared to other basses. With the right tools, is it a do it yourself job or should i forget that?
All the best!

Sveinis

Gearhead43 · #2 10-26-2008, 06:29 PM

That really requires the kind of skill gained thru many years of study and experience. If you want it done right and care about the instrument have it done right by a qualified bass luthier.

That isn't a do-it-yourself repair.

jimmyduded · #3 10-26-2008, 07:42 PM

I wouldnt reccomend going for it only because some of the tools youll have to make or buy will be time consuming or very costly(clamps to glue your top back on, clamps to glue your seams, tools to shape your bassbar) and also if you do a terrible job and butcher your top its going to cost your more than just to get it done right in the first place. if you really want to do it im sure nothing anyone can say will really stop you, but be fore warned, it isnt stick some chewing gum here and cut on the dotted lines, alot of the experience comes with learning from masters, if you havent done that I wouldnt advise opening a can of worms(or your top hehe)

1st Bass · #4 10-26-2008, 09:13 PM

There are lots of things regarding which I might say, "sure; try it yourself..." This isn't one of them.

Getting a top off is not too hard... getting it off without damaging the top is somewhat harder. Getting it back on correctly is harder still... and cracks are, in my opinion, about the hardest thing to repair correctly that there is.

I am a believer in DIY, wherever it is a good idea...in my opinion, this is not one of those.

Chet Bishop

baszz · #5 10-27-2008, 08:34 AM

Thanks. I will begin to save money for the repair (estimated to 5000usd is that a normal price for that amount of work?)
One luthier ment the top was a little bit thin and could possibly crack again even if it was repaired. It's also a 5 string so there is more pressure on the top than usual. By the way it sounded great when it still worked.

S.

Martin Sheridan · #6 10-27-2008, 02:30 PM

What's too thin? Does this guy work on basses all the time?

Do you have pictures? What is your bass worth? Where do you live?

I think this is a very iffy job for a beginner especially someone who calls a bass bar a "beam" which makes it sound like you are pretty new to upright?

Jimmy is right that you would need a lot of tools you don't have now, but five grand is a lot of money and would buy a lot of tools, but if you mess it up it will cost you more.

Do you know about glues and what kind to use for bass? Do you have any kind of woodworking experience?

Fill out your profile. It really helps us help you more.

jimmyduded · #7 10-28-2008, 05:09 PM

think of the tools we could buy for 5000 haha

but i feel like all the tools in the world cant compensate for lack of experience