Top Crack

kevinb · #1 12-06-2009, 06:09 PM

Hello
I have a couple year old solid top bass that has recently developed a small crack - about 4 inches or so - just to the left of the saddle. A few years ago I had to have the bottom seam around the end pin glued back together and that has opened up again as well. I'm more concerned about the crack on top though. The bass is in the extremely dry climate here in Nevada and I know now that I'm going to need to buy a humidifier to keep it in good shape but I would like to know if there is any precaution I should take to stop the crack from extending any farther up the top. Is there any type of sealant or laminate that I could put on top of the crack to try to keep it in place or should I just get the humidifier and live with the crack?

Any help you can offer is much appreciated.

Peck_Time · #2 12-06-2009, 06:53 PM

If I were you I would take the bass to a luthier, and loosen off the strings immediately - endpin problems and cracks make me nervous.

Hopefully it's nothing serious.

standupright · #3 12-06-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinb

Hello
I have a couple year old solid top bass that has recently developed a small crack - about 4 inches or so - just to the left of the saddle. A few years ago I had to have the bottom seam around the end pin glued back together and that has opened up again as well. I'm more concerned about the crack on top though. The bass is in the extremely dry climate here in Nevada and I know now that I'm going to need to buy a humidifier to keep it in good shape but I would like to know if there is any precaution I should take to stop the crack from extending any farther up the top. Is there any type of sealant or laminate that I could put on top of the crack to try to keep it in place or should I just get the humidifier and live with the crack?

Any help you can offer is much appreciated.

release the tension of the strings, drop your bridge, and take it to a luthier. if they have to open the top to repair the crack, count on shelling out about a grand.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #4 12-06-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by standupright

release the tension of the strings, drop your bridge, and take it to a luthier. if they have to open the top to repair the crack, count on shelling out about a grand.

It may not be nearly that expensive, but take it in right away. In the future, use a humidifier. I keep a gauge near my basses and start the humidifier whenever the humidity drops to 35% (yesterday).

Pentabass · #5 12-06-2009, 08:49 PM

The ebony saddle along the grain does not nearly shrink as much as the spruce top across the grain does. The solution: get your luthier to 'shorten' the length of the saddle just a bit so that these cracks don't occur so easily during the dryer times. Most luthiers will do that automatically during the coming crack repair, but it does not hurt to prevent this particular cause, by doing it upon arrival in dry climates.

wayne holmes · #6 12-06-2009, 09:24 PM

my experience-I have several old basses and a few not so old that have small cracks that have been prevented from going any further. I have done this several times on several cracks and it has worked every time to prevent the crack from going any further.

make a small hole at the end of the crack(or both ends, depending on where it is). fill the hole with hide glue, as well as, the crack itself. -rub it in- use a thin mixture--This will work for a small crack in the location that you have described. If the crack is around the bassbar or sound post-it will need immediate attention by a bass luthier. However, you have asked what you can do to prevent it from spreading. The hole at the ends with glue in them will work anywhere, but around a bass bar or sound post it would just be a temporary measure if you can get it to a bass luthier right away. If it were around a sound post or bass bar, I would not string it until it is fixed. In my opinion. If you try this and are confident to do it, take your time and be careful--cover everything but the hole-don't make the hole over 1/16 of an inch in dia. You would be very wise to get a humidifier and keep the bass in a constant temperature. A quick drastic change in the basses temp will cause a crack in a NYM. IMO

Good luck!

standupright · #7 12-06-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

It may not be nearly that expensive, but take it in right away. In the future, use a humidifier. I keep a gauge near my basses and start the humidifier whenever the humidity drops to 35% (yesterday).

i'm just speaking from personal experience.

Ed Fuqua · #8 12-07-2009, 05:58 AM

Kevin, I don't know how long you've been playing, but cracks and open seams etc. are kind of just the "facts of life". If I get through two winters in a row without any open seams, I count myself lucky. This won't be the last crack your bass develops.
They're wood, it happens...

Cody Sisk · #9 12-07-2009, 06:49 AM

A lot of times, a crack like this can be repaired properly, with cleats, without taking the whole top off. I do saddle crack repairs often where I only open the seams around the lower bouts so I have just enough clearance for a clamp. This is far cheaper in the end than taking the entire top off. Kevin, get to a luthier. I think you'll be surprised to find that it may not be as expensive of a repair as you thought.

wayne holmes · #10 12-07-2009, 08:56 AM

are we still talking about a 4 inch crack that Kevin wants to prevent from going any further? Do you want to try to fix it yourself, or do you want to take it to a luthier?.From your question, I gathered that you wanted to try it yourself, but the things that you mentioned would not be the best temporary fix-even though they would probably work-IMO I would be interested to hear from you, Kevin, on what your thoughts are now-do you have a plan, or have we all confused you. Sorry, if I did. good luck. Have you gotten any quotes on what it would cost to fix it?

wayne holmes · #11 12-07-2009, 10:32 PM

Kevin, you still with us-your thoughts?