ABG work and questions

ljzimmer · #1 12-18-2008, 08:22 AM

So,

I came across an ABG it had been damaged in shipping. The case obviously took the brunt of the hit but the bass was also cracked.

So I took the bass into the shop and tried to push the side back into shape. I got a couple peiced of pine and traced the shape of the area that was cracked into it and then cut it in half.

I also routed out a little to fit around the support around the supports in the bass. After a little work everything seemed to fit back into place. I put some epoxy on the cracks and clamped the wood around the cracked area for the epoxy to dry with all the wood back in the appropriate shape.

I'm going back later this afternoon to sand and see how things turned out. I know that this isn't probably the "proper" repair. I'm curious what others would do and what implications my ignorance might have.

I would also like to add a pup to this beast. My question is I know that pups are different for ABG's that standard electric basses. Where could I get one? How involved is the install? I think I remember someone saying that it's complicated.

Thanks,

Loren

RED5 · #2 12-18-2008, 09:57 AM

My experience runs to solid bodies, where powertools rule,but the guy I learned from was a master luthier. I would have gone with ribs instead of a solid block of pine. cut to contour, then secured through small holes in the sides with thin (.009-.008) guitar strings attached to blocks. The block you used is fine, but adds mass to an area that is adjacent to the prime resonant panel. Probably won't sound bad, but it will be different. And BTW? what kinda shop you got there? Sure not a place for dabblers by the look! You have the exact clamps handy? Wow! And a clean open work area!!? Youa ringer or what?

ljzimmer · #3 12-18-2008, 07:34 PM

Red,

Thanks for the reply sounds like I have some splanin' to do about the shop...more on that in a minute.

As far as the pine you see I simply used that as a "mold". It's hard to tell from the pictures but a postage stamp sized piece was caved in. So the peice that you see in the clamp was simply to keep me from pushing it out too far and damaging the guitar further (which I managed today as you will see).

When I arrived this is what it looked like with the epoxy dry

Then I started sanding and learned that the mahogany is a vaneer. whoops:

Any suggestions at this point would be welcomed with open arms.

The only thing that I can think of is to get a thin 1/8th or 1/16th piece of mahogany to try and feather in over (and add a little strength back) the bald spot. An upside is that I think its in a little better shape than yesterday.

As far as the shop goes, no I am by no means a pro or a ringer. I am lucky enough to be in the military and have access to a AWESOME wood shop on base. If I think of it I'll ask if I can shoot some pics and post them.

ljzimmer · #4 01-08-2009, 07:55 PM

So Like anything else I jumped into this project with both feet. When I started I was excited about the prospect of making a damaged instrument something that could be used again (I still am but don't quite know where to start after this evenings events). So here is what I did:

1. Last night I attempted to start removing the bottom of the bass, but quickly figured out that would be extremely difficult. So after some thought I gave that idea up and decided to remove the top.

in the corner by the lower horn you can see where I ran into some issues with the first brace point. As I moved around the bass I got a little better but ran into some serious problems under the fretboard.

I should have stopped when I felt my self getting impatient but a lesson learned for next time. Here is the carnage from under the fretboard:

I am glad that I took the top off because after feeling how much the side has been comprimised (partially from the crack from the original impact and partially from my sanding) it needs reinforcement that I couldn't have accomplished with the top on.

I did pick up some mahogany vaneer and will reinforce the inside as well as try and make the outside pretty again. I think I have those two tasks under control for the minute, but do I need to try and replace the top and if so, then a myriad of question roll around in my head like

1. What could I replace this top with or is it repairable?

2. how do I match all of the bracing and what is it made out of?

3. Will it sound good?

more pics of the carnage at: http://lorensmythoughts.blogspot.com/

I guess I'm pretty discouraged with myself but maybe after I get the side issues worked out there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks for stopping by,

Loren