Ugh, I dropped my bass

JupiterAdept · #1 04-28-2009, 11:21 AM

And it seems to be broken. It fell behind me, so I couldn't see anything, but it seems to have hit the side of the back and it probably received a blow to the headstock.

The crack has gotten a little bit larger over the past 3 days, so I tuned down all strings down a major third. Was that the right thing to do?

At first I hoped it was just chipped paint (I know it's not paint xD), but the neck is now bent sideways a little bit, which causes the action on my G string to grow.

How bad is it? I know I should take it to someone, but I don't know when. How much will it cost?

Dogbertday · #2 04-28-2009, 11:23 AM

When?... now...

Cost? ...find out when you get there... like getting your car fixed you can get a quote

JupiterAdept · #3 04-28-2009, 11:53 AM

It actually looks a lot worse in this picture than in real life. It's only small. I don't have a driver's license, so I'll need to have someone take me. I don't know where to go, but I'll figure that out. It really will take a few days, though.

How about the detuning? Is that alright? Is it enough?

bassist14 · #4 04-28-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterAdept

How about the detuning? Is that alright?

yes

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterAdept

Is it enough?

no

i would tune it down completely, and show the bass an experienced luthier asap.
it could develop more damage if the neck breaks out completly.
if i am wrong, the only bad thing that would happen is the soundpost falling down

trujo777 · #5 04-28-2009, 12:42 PM

I see the crack but I can not tell where in the bass the pic was taken.

I would detune it and take it to a luthier ASAP before the crack keeps on spreading.

JupiterAdept · #6 04-28-2009, 01:21 PM

Ah, right, the picture is taken below the fingerboard, where the neck meets the body. The crack is on the side of the neck, a pretty critical point.

Ok, I'll tune down some more. It's hard to find experienced luthiers without having to cross the whole country..

Thanks for the replies!

On a side note, the sound got darker, especially on the G string xD. Maybe it's the higher action.

bassist14 · #7 04-28-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterAdept

It's hard to find experienced luthiers without having to cross the whole country..

.

where is "hollang"?

bassist14 · #8 04-28-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterAdept

On a side note, the sound got darker, especially on the G string xD. Maybe it's the higher action.

maybe it´s the detuning...

drurb · #9 04-28-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist14

i would tune it down completely, and show the bass an experienced luthier asap.
it could develop more damage if the neck breaks out completly.
if i am wrong, the only bad thing that would happen is the soundpost falling down

+1. Drop the tension on the strings completely. It's better than potentially adding to the damage.

JupiterAdept · #10 04-28-2009, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist14

where is "hollang"?

I meant Holland, your awesome neighbor. I'll correct it now. Weird typo, though.

It's not the detuning causing the action to rise (I don't see how it could). It's the neck bending sideways a little. It was like that before I detuned it.
I'll go detune her completely tomorrow, and get some insurance papers that might help me.

If the soundpost falls, is it still ok to lay the bass on its back? To put it in a car, I mean.

bassist14 · #11 04-28-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterAdept

I meant Holland, your awesome neighbor. I'll correct it now. Weird typo, though.

you can try to get help here:
http://www.contrabassen.nl/

Jake deVilliers · #12 04-28-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterAdept

If the soundpost falls, is it still ok to lay the bass on its back? To put it in a car, I mean.

Yeah that's okay. Don't worry, I'm sure it will turn out fine.

Phil Rowan · #13 04-28-2009, 11:39 PM

Definitely wind the strings down completely. A fallen soundpost is the least of your problems right now.

MIKMAN · #14 04-29-2009, 01:07 AM

Since one of my ancestors fought in the battle for the bridge of Arnhem in the last World War i visited Arnhem two years ago. There is a wellknown luthier down there, a good guy who impressed me when i met him . I don't know how far is Arnhem from your place but he will deal with your bass in the best possible way.
Mike

JupiterAdept · #15 04-29-2009, 01:45 AM

Yes, Jürgen Preyer sounds like a really good luthier. I found his website yesterday, and I watched a video of him. It's only an hour drive (which is still half of Holland). Thanks for the suggestions, I'll try to go there as soon as possible.

drurb · #16 04-29-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JupiterAdept

It's not the detuning causing the action to rise (I don't see how it could).

I think he was referring to it sounding darker.

JupiterAdept · #17 05-01-2009, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

I think he was referring to it sounding darker.

Oh, yes, you're completely right xD. I'm sorry.

Still, it was darker before I detuned it. It could also be because I was playing outdoors the days before, so I got used to playing without pretty room acoustics.

JupiterAdept · #18 05-01-2009, 11:48 AM

I have some good news. For me, that is xD.
I just visited my bass with my dad and he noticed the bridge was misplaced, so he popped it back into place and the action is fine now! Well, it's the same as before,
which means ridiculously low (LOTS of rattling in lower positions, both arco and pizz).

So, the neck is still in place, thank god. I'll still go to a luthier, to get the crack/chipping looked at and to finally get a decent setup, but I'm not as worried now.
I know the picture looks terrible, but the crack/chipping is really less than an inch long.