Process of Elimination

bassist1962 · #1 11-12-2006, 05:37 AM

The previous owner of my bass used Gut strings, but had problems with the soundpost falling. If I am correct, Guts are generally low tension. Would this cause the soundpost problem? If so, would a soundpost replacement be in order if I decided on something like Obligatos, or another low tension string? It currently has Supersensitive Stellars on it (installed by the previous owner years ago), and I have no idea what the tension is. I come from the BG world, so low tension may be the thing for my hands. I like the Spirocore sound, but the Weichs look like they have even less tension than Obligatos as a whole. The soundpost has not fallen since the steel strings were installed. I just want to do what is best for this instrument, and not have it fall apart on me. The seams are opening up (especially the endpin side of the back). This is probably due to years of lack of maintainence more than tension, but I am trying to eliminate as many problems as I can.

arnoldschnitzer · #2 11-12-2006, 07:04 AM

A soundpost should never fall while under tension. And you cannot accurately set a soundpost when your bass has open seams. Get thee to a good luthier, yesterday!

philip sirois · #3 11-12-2006, 07:23 AM

Now you just heard it from THE MAN. Don't just stand there!

bassist1962 · #4 11-12-2006, 07:32 AM

From the history I got on this instrument, It replaced a ply bass that fell apart in a move from the Midwest to the Bay area in the early '60s. It is a fully carved German. The man quit playing in 1968. I first became aware of this instrument in the '70s, and it was strung with Guts. There has always been a problem with the soundpost falling and constantly having to be reset. Thirty years ago it was strung with the steels it has on it now due to the fact that I wanted to learn bass. In three residential moves in the same city, a move 700 miles away, and this past summer being played for the first time in forty years, when I fianally took full possesion of the instrument, the soundpost has not fallen. This is why I was wondering about string tension holding things in place.

philip sirois · #5 11-12-2006, 10:04 AM

(What I said before) x2

I'm no luthier but the soundpost problem is something that should be looked at by someone who knows what there doing. Trying to figure it out on your own just sounds frustrating, ultimately a waste of time, and quite possibly damaging to the point of costing you more money than bringing it it now.

BTW, Arnold Schnitzer, the guy who gave you the advice above, is one of the finest luthiers around. His word should be enough for anybody.

bassist1962 · #6 11-12-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philip sirois

Arnold Schnitzer, the guy who gave you the advice above, is one of the finest luthiers around. His word should be enough for anybody.

It is and I plan on getting it looked at, Refund time is right around the corner. This is when I plan on taking it in. I live on a budget (who doesn't?) that isn't too forgiving, I have been trying to find out how much ball park I would be spending, but everybody wants to see it first, so I can only hope that I get what NEEDS done in the budget frame I have. If other things can wait for another year, then I will do it the next round.