Singer snapped my neck!

psycholalia · #1 06-27-2008, 10:37 AM

This weekend the singer for my band got all excited and backed up into my bass. In what was described later as an "awful, just horrendous" sound, the bass hit the floor and broke in two.

I was slightly upset, but I figure it can be fixed, right?

I am not fooling myself. It is/was a cheapo bass and had some other issues with it; needs new fingerboard and a new bridge.

So with all these factors involved (cheapo bass, fingerboard, bridge, busted in two) is it worth it to go in and have the neck put back on the body (assuming it can be)? Or should I scrap it, put that money that I get from the singer towards a better bass that doesn't go anywhere near clutzes?

hdiddy · #2 06-27-2008, 01:07 PM

I have a totally uneducated opinion, but that's seems like a very strange place for it to snap. Put it this way, you're looking at more that $1000 US to repair something like that. Just taking the top off will cost you a huge chunk of money (at least $500-700). If it's a cheapo bass, I think you have a nice repair project for someone wanting to learn luthiery.

SpectorBass308 · #3 06-27-2008, 01:10 PM

Duct Tape

Gornick · #4 06-27-2008, 01:56 PM

Hdiddy, I am not so sure the estimate is going to be that high... could be wrong, but that spot is always suspect. it's the angle that is kinda weird. not sure the top comes off either. but I'll wait for the pros to come in for their analysis... just so psycho isn't freaking out anymore than he already might be.

psycholalia · #5 06-27-2008, 02:41 PM

Thanks a lot for the responses. I was assuming that it would cost around 1000 bucks (ouch!) for a pro job, but maybe a luthier student isn't a bad way to go either. Fortunately no gigs for a month or so.

ThunderLizard · #6 06-27-2008, 03:23 PM

Psycho-
You can buy another cheapo bass for way under $1000. Let this one RIP and use it as a stage prop. Keep the neck as a weapon/club in case the singer gets near your new bass.

MR PC · #7 06-27-2008, 03:27 PM

Epoxy they used for assembling those Chinese basses makes them explode in the most interesting ways! Maybe just another bass would be the way to go. Sorry you had to experience this......

Isn't the singer liable for damaging your bass, BTW?

MHensleyJr · #8 06-27-2008, 03:41 PM

Looks like it would make for a good pile of firewood.

MR PC · #9 06-27-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThunderLizard

Psycho-
You can buy another cheapo bass for way under $1000. Let this one RIP and use it as a stage prop. Keep the neck as a weapon/club in case the singer gets near your new bass.

+1, except I'd say the singer should also pay for new strings and pro set up of the instrument as well.

If the singer has substance problems......demand the cash now!

toman · #10 06-27-2008, 03:51 PM

I'm not qualified to comment, but that looks pretty fixable, especially if its just a cheapo bass that doesn't have to look good to work. Bring it by my place and I'll get to work for a box of doughnuts.

psycholalia · #11 06-27-2008, 03:55 PM

Nah, the singer's a good guy, just has some big feet and is easily excitable. He was very apologetic with this hang-dog expression as he came into the room I was in: "Oh, my god, I broke your bass." I don't think he slept all weekend because he was hung up on it.

Thanks for the responses. They are echoing what is going on in my head about this.

Gearhead43 · #12 06-27-2008, 03:59 PM

Didn't get too many serious replys on this one it seems.

Get a quote from a luthier, that's a VERY common break and they fix them better than new all the time. It shouldn't be that damn expensive either.

MR PC · #13 06-27-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

Didn't get too many serious replys on this one it seems.

Get a quote from a luthier, that's a VERY common break and they fix them better than new all the time. It shouldn't be that damn expensive either.

Let's see, a fingerboard and bridge that are broken in two in addition to the broken neck.........

New fingerboard might be as cheap as $200, a new cheap bridge about $50, the repair of the neck and other labor could be done for a box of doughnuts, or a serious luthier wouldn't waste the time. Probably is a happy medium in there. but don't these basses sell for $400 or so on the used market?

I wonder what it will feel and sound like with all those doughnut grease fingerprints.

The best part is that Crisco never goes rancid, so at least it will smell OK after toman gets done with the dirty work.

Gearhead43 · #14 06-27-2008, 07:55 PM

I was under the impression that he had planned on replacing the bridge and fingerboard, didn't read that the board was broken in two. In that case, if it is a ccb, try to fix it yourself or chuck it in a dumpster.

WarriorJoe7 · #15 06-27-2008, 09:02 PM

I'd say charge the singer maybe 80% of what you paid for the bass. Then sell the bass as a project to a student to work on for $50-$100. Then take all the money and some of your own and get a nicer bass.

Doley50 · #16 06-27-2008, 09:51 PM

Sorry to hear about your bass, for such a big instrument it sure is fragile.
I have a similar crack on my bass. My repairman took the fingerboard off and used two
large screws and glue, to get it back. it is not 100 % but it works. If you do a little research I am sure you can find some one in your area that can and will fix this.
Of course your situation is different it would not hurt to a least get some one to look at it.

He told me that to repair this properly would not be worth it as the neck alone would run me over 400.00 and that was a few years ago.

I 'll post a picture as soon as I can, my bass is getting it's yearly gluing as we speak.

Good Luck
John

Jake deVilliers · #17 06-27-2008, 09:53 PM

What's wrong with the fingerboard and bridge? Got any pix? The fingerboard pop off when it hit the ground?

In my shop (either one) it would cost about $250.00 to have that neck epoxied back together with a couple of short hardwood dowels for security. Not a big deal.

psycholalia · #18 06-28-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

What's wrong with the fingerboard and bridge? Got any pix? The fingerboard pop off when it hit the ground?

In my shop (either one) it would cost about $250.00 to have that neck epoxied back together with a couple of short hardwood dowels for security. Not a big deal.

Thanks Jake. The bridge and fingerboard issues have been longstanding and the fall didn't effect either. Compiling those problems with the snapped neck, I was just wondering if I should bail on the bass as a whole and invest in something better with the money the singer gets me.

But 250.00 bucks makes it seem like I should just take it to get fixed and fix those problems too. I am making some calls today and will post results.

Marc Piane · #19 06-28-2008, 11:11 AM

I had almost the exact break repaired for $400 here in Chicago. He didn't have to re-set the neck or anything. Just slap the sucker back together. Bass plays as good as new. Make sure you bring it to a good luthier.

**Freddels** · #20 06-28-2008, 03:26 PM

I would say that the singer bought your bass. He can fix it and sell it if he wants. Go get another bass.