I'm having "TheBassDoc" do a C-extension on my bass

**Basschair** · #1 05-25-2007, 01:10 PM

UPDATE: the bass is done...see the pics in post #9

Hey all,

Has anyone had work done by Matt Bohm, website www.thebassdoc.com? I ask because he's pretty close to me, I really like the C extension work on his site, and, well, I figured I'd ask you all to see if anyone has experience with him...so, anyone?

From what I've seen, it's good work, and he's a nice guy. I may have him install my Laborie endpin as well.

**Basschair** · #2 05-27-2007, 09:23 PM

I met with Matt today, talked for about an hour, hung out in his shop, took a look at some basses he was working on, and got my hands on the brass machine used for the E stop on his C-extensions: very nice! It's designed to slide into stop position at an angle so that it doesn't push the long E to the side as it moves into place. It also looks like it will sit tighter that way.

I decided that the E stop and a D capo (straight diatonic for me) will be good for now, as the low C, D, and E flat are what show up most in the stuff I'm playing (church hymns and chamber music).

Matt is a really nice guy, enjoys what he does, and is a bassist as well (a big plus for me). I did decide against the Laborie endpin for now...I'm just not 100% on it yet.

It will be about a month before the extension is done (he's about 2 weeks out at the moment), but I'm okay with that: it'll give me a chance to collect a few different long E strings, and for the Evah Pirazzis to arrive at my normal dealers.

GriffithLea · #3 06-02-2007, 05:14 PM

Incidentally, does anyone know who is the go-to person for C-extension installation in the Houston area? I checked with Philip Gold, but he told me that he doesn't do C-extensions.

robobass · #4 06-04-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basschair

Matt is a really nice guy, enjoys what he does, and is a bassist as well (a big plus for me). I did decide against the Laborie endpin for now...I'm just not 100% on it yet.

I haven't met Matt personally, but from my communications with him, I would recommend him highly. I have a photo of one of his recent extensions featured on my site.

As to the Laborie, I know I have been saying this for years, but I have a design for a simple angled endpin which fits into the existing socket bore that I hope to have available by autumn.

Robobass

**Basschair** · #5 06-10-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robobass

I haven't met Matt personally, but from my communications with him, I would recommend him highly. I have a photo of one of his recent extensions featured on my site.

As to the Laborie, I know I have been saying this for years, but I have a design for a simple angled endpin which fits into the existing socket bore that I hope to have available by autumn.

Robobass

Hey, that's right: won't my extension have a capo and E stop from you? I'm looking forward to it! Also, keep me posted on that angled endpin.

I'm now two weeks into the waiting period, and hope to have it in another two weeks...

**Basschair** · #6 06-22-2007, 04:30 PM

I have an appointment to pick up my bass from Matt on Sunday. So, I'll have pics up in two days. Geez, I'm looking forward to this...

Steve Swan · #7 06-23-2007, 12:10 PM

I met Matt Bohn for the first time yesterday. He was engaged by a guitar shop to suggest which 2 of the 5 basses that I brought down for trade against a guitar were going to work best for this shop. He's a friendly guy and seems to really know his stuff about basses. If you're out on he central coast of California, I'd look him up.

**Basschair** · #8 06-24-2007, 05:00 PM

I picked up my bass today, and am absolutely loving the changes. The work is top-notch, the hardware is tight and precise, the varnish is a near-perfect match to the bass varnish. I haven't had a chance to put some hours in on it, but the time I have put in is showing me that I should have had it done sooner.

Here's some pics, and I'll write more of a review later...

**Basschair** · #9 06-24-2007, 05:01 PM

Andy Allen · #10 06-24-2007, 07:12 PM

Very, very nice.

Of all the extensions I've seen Matt's looks the most like it's part of the bass, rather than an add-on. I like!

I'm hoping to be on vacation up Monterrey/Santa Cruz way later this summer, so if I can raise the funds I'll drop it in to him for the duration.

I'll be hanging on your every word until then.

Andy

**Adrian Cho** · #11 06-24-2007, 08:16 PM

It's nothing new - similar to and appears to actually be Bill Merchant's design. I had one of Bill's extensions on my old bass:

http://www.adriancho.com/Photos/Italian%20bass/

Andy Allen · #12 06-24-2007, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Cho

It's nothing new - similar to and appears to actually be Bill Merchant's design. I had one of Bill's extensions on my old bass:

http://www.adriancho.com/Photos/Italian%20bass/

Indeed, and you know I always like the look of that, too.

Andy

**Basschair** · #13 06-24-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian Cho

It's nothing new

http://www.adriancho.com/Photos/Italian%20bass/

I beg to differ: it's new to me

I understand your sentiment: it definitely appears based on that design, with perhaps a few minor changes. What makes it so cool to me (besides the major imporvements in the overall tone of my bass) is the fact that it took months just to find the right guy for the job, the fact that he's close to me, he's a cool guy, and he stands by his work, which is clean, solid, and has high aesthetic value to me. So...and I say this with absolutely all due respect...please don't pee on my parade!

thebassdoc · #14 06-29-2007, 11:35 AM

Hi everybody, Matt Bohn here.
Thanks for all of your kind words. I'am honored in that professionals such as your selves have taken the time to comment on my work.
My c-extension is, in fact, a version of William Merchant's version of Chuck Traeger's version of what a c-extention should be. I believe this design is the most non-invasive, best sounding and most attractive c-extension out there. I credit William Merchant in my web site and also Chuck Traeger's book, ' The Setup and Repair of the Double Bass for Optimum Sound. A must for any upright player.

Cheers everyone!

Matt

**Basschair** · #15 06-29-2007, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebassdoc

Hi everybody, Matt Bohn here.
Thanks for all of your kind words. I'am honored in that professionals such as your selves have taken the time to comment on my work.
My c-extension is, in fact, a version of William Merchant's version of Chuck Traeger's version of what a c-extention should be. I believe this design is the most non-invasive, best sounding and most attractive c-extension out there. I credit William Merchant in my web site and also Chuck Traeger's book, ' The Setup and Repair of the Double Bass for Optimum Sound. A must for any upright player.

Cheers everyone!

Matt

Hey Matt,

Good to see you joined! Don't let it get you behind in your work

Thanks again: it's working out great!

Paul

anonymous12251111 · #16 06-29-2007, 03:50 PM

Very nice work! I can't quite tell but was the scroll cut into for the extension to fit? Does the string go through the extension via a drill hole?

Awesome, thanks.

thebassdoc · #17 06-29-2007, 06:45 PM

Hi Calvin,
The beauty of this design is that the underside of the c-extensinn's cheek and scroll portions are chalk fit. There are only two holes in the scroll; one is the 6mm through hole in back of the wheel for the string to pass through to the A string spindle, the other is a set screw, counter sunk just south of the C nut. Check out my web site www.thebassdoc.com, accessories / c-extension. I walk you through the process. Note; I now drill and tap a size 8x32 hole into the E stop tang and c-extension at the same position to hold down the front end. I no longer use a set screw in the cheek. This variation allows me to use less matrial, ( width wise ) is very strong and lightens the c-extension further.

Matt

Bob Branstetter · #18 06-29-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebassdoc

Hi Calvin,
Note; I now drill and tap a size 8x32 hole into the E stop tang and c-extension at the same position to hold down the front end. I no longer use a set screw in the cheek. This variation allows me to use less matrial, ( width wise ) is very strong and lightens the c-extension further.

Matt

Matt, I'm having a little trouble visualizing this. Are you using other screws to hold down the Anzellotti E Closer tang and then using the threads you tap in the tang to anchor the screw holding down the nut end of the extension? Do you have to countersink the head of the screw and cover it with a plug with this method or is the screw exposed?

thebassdoc · #19 06-30-2007, 11:32 AM

The screw hole near the C nut that holds down the back end is not tapped or plugged. This is a wood screw.
Yes, there are two more wood screws that hold down the E stop tang. ( thanks for the correction ) The machine screw holds down the front end of the c-extension via a tapped hole in the E stop tang, this hole is not plugged either. Both holes in the fingerboard are countersunk.
Thanks Bob...

**Matthew Tucker** · #20 06-30-2007, 04:53 PM

I like it. Retains the elegance of the scroll better than some others I have seen.

What do you think of this idea to avoid drilling into the scroll?? A tube to pass the string through, much as a bike brake cable might do.

the picture is of a scroll/extension by N Whitehead, pic is on the Upton Stringrepair site.