soundpost crack in the top

[René R]

I had a look at a fully carved bass that is for sale. It was a nice instrument wich I realy liked. While taking a good inspection I noticed there is a crack right above the soundpost in the top. It is about 10 cm long. It seems to be repaired some time, glued together as far as I can see. The crack is not open and the top at that area isn't higher. (hope you understand what I mean!) Is there a big problem here?

[René R]

Thanks Ken for the reply. The top was not pushed up, at least not that I saw that moment. So an inlaid sounpostpatch would be possible in your opinion. I found a discussion on the net in which people thought that was not a good idea, soundwise I think to renember.

The age and who's the maker of the bass is a bit dubiuos. there are two labels inside but they don't tell much I think. One says it's from the collection of Johan Stüber 1962. He was a violin builder from The Hague here in Holland. But from the collection will probably mean he sold it once and didn't build it himself. Then there is a label telling Violaline Georges Contel Paris Annee 1901. A violaline is a mixture of a violin and a mandoline, which indeed is invented by Georges Contel. This bass dates for pretty sure not from 1901. But it is a real nice bass well build from nice wood. The sound is ok too.

Here are some pics (wich don't tell to much)

http://muziek.marktplaats.nl/strijki...ml?img=1#photo

http://muziek.marktplaats.nl/strijki...ml?img=2#photo

http://muziek.marktplaats.nl/strijki...ml?img=3#photo

[arnoldschnitzer]

Originally Posted by René R

So an inlaid sounpostpatch would be possible in your opinion. I found a discussion on the net in which people thought that was not a good idea, soundwise I think to renember.

An inlaid soundpost patch is the best way to repair a post crack in the top. When done correctly, there is no effect on tone. When done poorly, it can have a detrimental effect. I think Ken is right about the bass' age and origin.

[René R]

Ok, this is a modern post WWII commercial German Bass. I would like to see the back, the ribs and the crack area all better pics to go further if at all possible but from what I see and what you tell me, I think we are on track.

Thank you very much for giving information about origin and date. Could you tell me what tells you that it's post war german? I might go to see that bass again and I could take some pictures.

An inlaid soundpost patch is the best way to repair a post crack in the top. When done correctly, there is no effect on tone. When done poorly, it can have a detrimental effect. I think Ken is right about the bass' age and origin.

And thank you for your information. I don't even know if there already is a patch in there. I was thinking of taking a little mirror with me but I forgot. Would a patch like that be glued to the top? I guess it would be. And if so: is that done without taking the top of?

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by KSB - Ken Smith

The form, shape, style (or lack thereof) and varnish all added together equal this formula.

that´s right: lack of form, shape and style = german shop bass

[René R]

that´s right: lack of form, shape and style = german shop bass

Haha! Well thanks a lot! Of course I realise this isn't something very special. I'm on a tight budget and this may just be something for me.

[bassist14]

Originally Posted by René R

Haha! Well thanks a lot! Of course I realise this isn't something very special. I'm on a tight budget and this may just be something for me.

sorry rene, i meant this in general. it was not a statement about this special bass.

[René R]

Realy great you took all that time to explain this. Very informative!

Originally Posted by bassist14

sorry rene, i meant this in general. it was not a statement about this special bass.

Apologies accepted!