Modifications on my Kolstein

PRUNEFACE · #1 02-05-2011, 08:27 AM

I need to get my bass setup correctly.. Just got told by a luthier (Bob Beerman, here at the double bass symposium) that it's the setup not the bass that causes a certain buzz/thwump/thingamajig on the Ab and A on the D string at the heel of the neck. So, on top of getting my (epic fail) mechanical extension removed and a chromatic (well... I'm considering chromatic. not sure yet) put on. I have AMAZING strings (Compas 180's I believe. I love the feel and tone) that I like. So that I don't know if I want to change.
But otherwise some things I am considering:

-A "block" on which I can install a Laborie/Rabbath style endpin without drilling into my bass. Any reccomendations?
-Shaving down my tailpiece OR getting a new one. It's the mammoth sized Kolstein Deluxe tunable afterlength one
-Shaving down my bridge/getting it cut down. Mr. Beerman immediately pointed out that it was very high OR getting a new one made
-A solo extension put on the end of the fingerboard
-A full setup (which I would get no matter what)
- Removable neck, possibly with the intent of getting a five string neck sometime in the future OR a neck without an extension. Either way... Just a possibility.

Anyways, anything YOU would do? It generally sounds great in all positions with the exception mentioned above which should be solved by a fingerboard dressing.

Eric Hochberg · #2 02-05-2011, 08:51 AM

You know you need a setup, so do that, which will include getting the strings at the right height for you, which sounds like it means you need some wood taken off the bridge. Get aluminum adjusters if the bridge isn't already cut.

All the other items are up to you based on your needs. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish by doing them. What is the highest note on your bass now, and do you need to get higher? Why do you want an angled endpin, how will it help your playing? Is there something about the sound of your bass now that you are unhappy with that a lighter tailpiece may remedy? Have a removable neck made only if you plan on traveling and feel it will be worth the expense. I would forget about the 5 string idea. If you have to have a 5 string, find one already set up for that, as it's not just the neck and fingerboard, but top graduations and bass bar, etc.

Jake deVilliers · #3 02-05-2011, 09:25 AM

Hey PRUNEY, Eric's made some good points there.

I would add that you should probably make one adjustment at a time if you want to gain an understanding of what each one does. I'm comfortable making wholesale changes because I know what the individual influences will be through experience.

Regarding the tailpiece, I'd say if you wanted a light tailpiece, get a light tailpiece. That way you can revert to the original setup if needed and you can sell the Kolstein as an original piece.

Cody Sisk · #4 02-05-2011, 11:29 AM

+1 for Eric and Jake Take advantage of their wisdom.

In regards to tailpieces. Lately, I've really liked the new Wittner Composite bass tailpieces. With the Martin tail wires being all the rage these days, the Wittner offers a good compromise. It's extremely light weight thus aiding in resonance. The tail wire that comes with it is quite strong and adjustable. More important, it's much more aesthetically pleasing.

They are also quite inexpensive in comparison to other options.

PRUNEFACE · #5 02-05-2011, 05:15 PM

Looking at different tailpieces including Pecanic and Marvin and Wittner.
Any luthiers in Northwestern Florida that you guys know of?

dperrott · #6 02-07-2011, 07:49 AM

I know a guy who had the "compensating" part of his tail piece just cut off by a luthier. I have a laborie end pin and love it. Try a bent end pin first if you want to try it.

Cody Sisk · #7 02-07-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PRUNEFACE

Looking at different tailpieces including Pecanic and Marvin and Wittner.
Any luthiers in Northwestern Florida that you guys know of?

You might try Bob Gollihur's directory. There are a number of luthiers for your state listed there.

james condino · #8 02-07-2011, 12:35 PM

PM sent.

David Kaczorowski · #9 02-07-2011, 01:45 PM

The problem with your Ab, A could be either a wolf tone or your fingerboard needs to be planed.

The bridge is too high even with the adjusters screwed all the way down? Is it the original Kolstein bridge? How low do you want the strings?

Solo extension? How high do you want to play? The fingerboard on my Kolstein bass goes up to E above the second G harmonic. That's more than enough.

Solo extension on the FB and a 5th string? Sounds like Frankenbass.

Removable neck? Are you kidding?

Also converting a 4 string to a 5 string is a bad idea. You'll need a wider bridge to accommodate the 5th string. Consequently, the bass will have to be opened up and have to bass bar moved.

Out of curiousity, who advised you to have all this work done?

PRUNEFACE · #10 02-08-2011, 05:38 AM

No one did. This all just theoretical discussion if you read the post. Just looking at options.

Herbie 80's · #11 02-08-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Kaczorowski

The problem with your Ab, A could be either a wolf tone or your fingerboard needs to be planed.

The bridge is too high even with the adjusters screwed all the way down? Is it the original Kolstein bridge? How low do you want the strings?

Solo extension? How high do you want to play? The fingerboard on my Kolstein bass goes up to E above the second G harmonic. That's more than enough.

Solo extension on the FB and a 5th string? Sounds like Frankenbass.

Removable neck? Are you kidding?

Also converting a 4 string to a 5 string is a bad idea. You'll need a wider bridge to accommodate the 5th string. Consequently, the bass will have to be opened up and have to bass bar moved.

Out of curiousity, who advised you to have all this work done?

I agree with everything that David said, except for the removable neck. What's so bad about them? There are many luthiers doing great work, including removable necks. Look up Mario LaMarre's double basses and his work with removable necks. Very professional and very good. Nothing to worry about.

David Kaczorowski · #12 02-08-2011, 09:34 AM

Is the removable neck something that is retro-fitted to old existing basses, or built into a new bass? I can see the benefit of it for someone who's flying all over the country/world on a regular basis. But I wouldn't retro-fit it to an existing bass, except to perhaps a plywood or hybrid. That's just a personal opinion.

Eric Hochberg · #13 02-08-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Kaczorowski

But I wouldn't retro-fit it to an existing bass, except to perhaps a plywood or hybrid. That's just a personal opinion.

Why not? Because you wouldn't want to travel with a fully carved? Some luthiers are coming up with great solutions - Arnold Schnitzer, Bill Merchant, Lamarre, Mathew Tucker...

David Kaczorowski · #14 02-08-2011, 10:36 AM

I'm just saying I wouldn't do it to a bass I care about. I'd worry about how the sound and feel of the bass would be affected. If I had the kind of bread to afford a stable of carved basses and I had one that wasn't important to me I might feel differently. I got one bass. It's really nice. It sounds and plays fantastic. I wouldn't chop it up for ease of travel.

Eric Hochberg · #15 02-08-2011, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Kaczorowski

I got one bass. It's really nice. It sounds and plays fantastic. I wouldn't chop it up for ease of travel.

It's really not chopping it up at all. It's removing the neck out of the pocket and installing a locking device for when it is set up. I think Arnold's design even stays put on its own through string pressure. I've heard some claim to like their sound more after the operation.

Not trying to convince you, but I don't think it's that big a deal unless you have a bass whose value may be harmed by changing it.

David Kaczorowski · #16 02-09-2011, 06:47 AM

Is something done to keep the soundpost in place when the neck is off? I'd imagine that has to be reset each time.

Eric Hochberg · #17 02-09-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Kaczorowski

Is something done to keep the soundpost in place when the neck is off? I'd imagine that has to be reset each time.

I've heard about a pin or a belt around the body exerting pressure.

Herbie 80's · #18 02-22-2011, 10:32 AM

Mario LaMarre has a neat belt that keeps pressure on the top so that the soundpost doesn't fall down. My teacher has it on his bass, and I've watched him take it out of his small flight case and set the bass up. Done in about 10 minutes.

dobrien · #19 02-22-2011, 06:51 PM

I have a 190 year old bass. I just wouldn't have the neck redone that way. I would buy a mid-range Shen, or a la scala and have it done.