fingerboard/nut problem - help

bikerbassplayer · #1 03-17-2006, 03:21 PM

Hi everybody,
none of the people I have talked to have never seen this
problem before. My nut has moved up in the direction of the
peg box about 1/16 of an inch and the top of the fingerboard
has shifted laterally about 1/64 of an inch to the right when
looking at the front of the bass. From the 3rd position up the
neck the fingerboard is solid and centered. The only loose
part of the fingerboard is from the nut to the 3rd position .
It can be pushed over at the nut. MY questions are:
1. Has anyone heard of this
2. How serious is this
3. Does the entire fingerboard have to be reglued
4.What could have caused this
5.How much should repairs cost

I keep the bass in a humidity controled room at between
30% and 40% and at a controlled temperature (about 65F)
Thanks for any input and info.

nicklloyd · #2 03-18-2006, 08:18 AM

So, your fingerboard is unglued from 1st-3rd position? Ideally you should have the board removed and the glue joint cleaned. It is possible that the ebony/maple joint needs to be worked a little... a bunch of glue (stuffed into joint) won't help a glue joint that wasn't sound to begin with. I would expect to pay (ballpark) $75-$200... depending on the amount of work that needs to be done.

This isn't a big deal, but it is something you should have a luthier check out.

bikerbassplayer · #3 03-18-2006, 08:42 AM

Thanks Nick, I finally got a hold of a luthier in Reno and he is going to look at it on monday. If he has to remove
the fingerboard (if he finds it was not glued with hide glue)
then maximum cost is $150 so you were right on. Thanks
for the input. Regards, Tom

KSB - Ken Smith · #4 03-19-2006, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerbassplayer

Hi everybody,
none of the people I have talked to have never seen this
problem before. My nut has moved up in the direction of the
peg box about 1/16 of an inch and the top of the fingerboard
has shifted laterally about 1/64 of an inch to the right when
looking at the front of the bass. From the 3rd position up the
neck the fingerboard is solid and centered. The only loose
part of the fingerboard is from the nut to the 3rd position .
It can be pushed over at the nut. MY questions are:
1. Has anyone heard of this
2. How serious is this
3. Does the entire fingerboard have to be reglued
4.What could have caused this
5.How much should repairs cost

I keep the bass in a humidity controled room at between
30% and 40% and at a controlled temperature (about 65F)
Thanks for any input and info.

"none of the people I have talked to have never seen this
problem before"?

So if none 'Never' seen it then they all have seen it.. right?

Listen to Nick. Either your Fingerboard came loose along with your Nut and/or you Neck is twisting and the glue joint popped rather than the wood splitting. This all can be fixed IF you take your Bass ASAP to an expert Bass-Only Repairman.

I say this because the average Violin shop does not fix Basses as well as Bass playing Luthiers fix Basses. It's all about caring to do it right and not about the business of repairs.

bikerbassplayer · #5 03-22-2006, 09:12 AM

Im devastated !! I need to go back to 6th grade and
start over on my english lessons. Thanks Ken, I dont
know how I could have gotten by without that info .

KSB - Ken Smith · #6 03-22-2006, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerbassplayer

Im devastated !! I need to go back to 6th grade and
start over on my english lessons. Thanks Ken, I dont
know how I could have gotten by without that info .

That's ok, we all do it sometimes. I just realized I spelled Nut as 'not' and I am IN the Bass business. So how bad is that?

Ed Fuqua · #7 03-22-2006, 10:00 AM

I don't no. I am in know position to tell.

**Damon Rondeau** · #8 03-22-2006, 10:14 AM

Noh weigh.

bikerbassplayer · #9 03-22-2006, 06:44 PM

Well if you are going to participate in this forum
you better have a great sense of humor !!!
All of the folks have a funny ? or something.
At least I am having fun. By the way Ken, the
bass is in the luthiers now and he comes highly
recommended. Supposed to be the best in Reno.
Thanks all for your jokes, comments and advice.
I let you know how it looks when I get it back.

bikerbassplayer · #10 04-03-2006, 10:22 AM

Well I got my bass back from the luthier and it is looking
great. It may be my imagination but it seems to be louder
than it used to be. The nut was also filed down a little and
it plays much easier. I was well pleased with the work he
did and I also thank you guys for the help and info I got.
(also enjoyed the humor) regards to all from Reno

bikerbassplayer · #11 04-03-2006, 10:27 AM

By the way Ed, I was raised in N.Y.C. Washigton heights.
213st and B'way across the street from Inwood Hill Park.
Are you anywhere near there ?

Ed Fuqua · #12 04-03-2006, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerbassplayer

By the way Ed, I was raised in N.Y.C. Washigton heights.
213st and B'way across the street from Inwood Hill Park.
Are you anywhere near there ?

Buddy of mine calls that "upstate Manhattan", naw I'm in Queens (Jackson Heights), but I do have some friends up in that neck of the woods, we were over for New Years'...

STRONGBOW · #13 04-03-2006, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerbassplayer

Well I got my bass back from the luthier and it is looking
great. It may be my imagination but it seems to be louder
than it used to be. The nut was also filed down a little and
it plays much easier. I was well pleased with the work he
did and I also thank you guys for the help and info I got.
(also enjoyed the humor) regards to all from Reno

Hey man-- do you know Don Stanley out there in Reno-Tahoe land? How about Chuck (Snake) DeLaura? Two butt kicking bass players....especially Chuck, man...a one man rhythm section!!!

bikerbassplayer · #14 04-05-2006, 06:15 PM

Hi Strongbow. Well I know Chuck and he is one of the best
in this area (in my opinion) and is still known as snake !!
I last saw him in June at the Basie Jazz Festival in Carson
City (a yearly event) . A couple of other great players up
here are Hans Halt and Paul Binnings . Perhaps you have
heard of them also. If you ever get to C.C. in June you
would enjoy this 3 day event with big bands, small groups
(trio's) and everything in between playing Basie jazz from
early morning to late into the night . Lots of fun . I dont
know Don though . See ya

bikerbassplayer · #15 04-05-2006, 06:25 PM

Hey Ed, Queens is good too. I used to belong to a car club
in Queens called the " Jackson - (cant remember) " something
or other. Been all over N.Y. area. Lived there for the first
25 years of my life then move to Los Angeles for the next
35 . ( I am getting old ) Should have stayed in N.Y.

STRONGBOW · #16 04-09-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerbassplayer

Hi Strongbow. Well I know Chuck and he is one of the best
in this area (in my opinion) and is still known as snake !!
I last saw him in June at the Basie Jazz Festival in Carson
City (a yearly event) . A couple of other great players up
here are Hans Halt and Paul Binnings . Perhaps you have
heard of them also. If you ever get to C.C. in June you
would enjoy this 3 day event with big bands, small groups
(trio's) and everything in between playing Basie jazz from
early morning to late into the night . Lots of fun . I dont
know Don though . See ya

Wow, I'm really glad to hear that Snake is still active....I just love listening to him. And indeed I not only have heard of Paul Binnings, I've got some gig tapes of him playing with my friend (pianist/bassist) Jim Aton over in Tahoe. I have a tape of them both (Jim on piano and Paul on bass) backing saxman Ed Easton a few years back....wonder if you ever heard of Jim?

Marcus Johnson · #17 04-09-2006, 08:19 PM

I love Snake. What a cool guy...one of those guys you like from the very moment you meet him. He was pretty f***in' crazy in those days, but I heard he's mella'd since (who hasn't?). Helluva bass player.

STRONGBOW · #18 04-10-2006, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I love Snake. What a cool guy...one of those guys you like from the very moment you meet him. He was pretty f***in' crazy in those days, but I heard he's mella'd since (who hasn't?). Helluva bass player.

Yep...he's a bass player's bass player-- jazz that is. I always wanted to know about his bass and what kind of strings he used....he was a master accompanist to so many good singers...

Marcus Johnson · #19 04-10-2006, 10:24 AM

That I don't know...I've always heard him on one of my basses, or on a rental, out here on my own turf. He sounds great on all of 'em!

bikerbassplayer · #20 04-10-2006, 11:43 AM

The next time I see snake Ill have to tell him you guys
said good things about him. The Basie festival is only a
couple of months away so he might be playing that again.
Glad to know Paul is also well regarded as he is one of the
local guys who have helped me somewhat. Later