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Double Bass "Bumpers" for the edge of an instrument.

J

James Gibson

Mar 3, 2007
266
4
Brooklyn, NY
www.myspace.com
#1
Does anyone use these?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'm interested in getting some "bumpers" on my bass's treble side ribs to protect it when I lay it down on the band stand or in the rehearsal room. I've heard that players used to use piano accidentals, but I don't know if I believe that. I'm interested in the ones linked above on the Gollihur site. They would seem to be a cheap, DIY option. Can anyone offer testament to these products, or any other option. Advice either way would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
#4
I installed a set on my bass yesterday, and I think they turned out just dandy, so I want to share. I got the idea of using a fan belt from the threads here.

I used a Gates A30 fan belt (1/2") and cut the pieces 2" long for the upper bout and 3" long for the lower bout. (Lay a straightedge along the two bouts to determine the touch points.) I wouldn't go with a smaller 3/8" belt because it probably wouldn't protrude far enough from the rib.

I flattened the contact areas on a belt sander and beveled the ends to thin them so they would be less likely to pull away from the body. I then used a black Sharpie marker to hide the belt fibers. They look like a bridge on an archtop guitar.

I centered the upper-bout pieces on the touch points. The lower-bout pieces are positioned so that the north ends are on the touch points, which allows for a bit of rolling of the body. I attached them with contact cement (specifically Barge brand). They're not going anywhere, but they can be removed. Good for 50,000 miles, I think. I gave the remaining fan belt material to my luthier for his other customers.
 

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#6
Michael Eisenman said:
I installed a set on my bass yesterday, and I think they turned out just dandy, so I want to share. I got the idea of using a fan belt from the threads here.

I used a Gates A30 fan belt (1/2") and cut the pieces 2" long for the upper bout and 3" long for the lower bout. (Lay a straightedge along the two bouts to determine the touch points.) I wouldn't go with a smaller 3/8" belt because it probably wouldn't protrude far enough from the rib.

I flattened the contact areas on a belt sander and beveled the ends to thin them so they would be less likely to pull away from the body. I then used a black Sharpie marker to hide the belt fibers. They look like a bridge on an archtop guitar.

I centered the upper-bout pieces on the touch points. The lower-bout pieces are positioned so that the north ends are on the touch points, which allows for a bit of rolling of the body. I attached them with contact cement (specifically Barge brand). They're not going anywhere, but they can be removed. Good for 50,000 miles, I think. I gave the remaining fan belt material to my luthier for his other customers.
Click to expand...

They look great!

I used a very old, thick leather belt for my bumpers. On the lower bout, I used to have the 2" bumpers as well, until I discovered that my friend, who also uses my bass from time to time, drags it a little while picking it up, totally bypassing the lower bout bumpers. So I took them off and installed longer ones. Now my lower bout bumpers basically run almost to the end pin.

George
 
#7
James Gibson said:
Does anyone use these?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I'm interested in getting some "bumpers" on my bass's treble side ribs to protect it when I lay it down on the band stand or in the rehearsal room. I've heard that players used to use piano accidentals, but I don't know if I believe that. I'm interested in the ones linked above on the Gollihur site. They would seem to be a cheap, DIY option. Can anyone offer testament to these products, or any other option. Advice either way would be much appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I don't use Bob's yet, but after seeing these, I'll sure order a set. I've been using rubber stick-on bumpers for years, and they work beautifully. These look even better. :)
 
#11
In the giving credit where it's due department, I think it may have been luthier Jeff Bollbach who first presented the fan belt idea here at TalkBass. But maybe that was round about the time we first starting hearing from P-Dub -- can't remember.

Jeff hasn't been seen in these parts for some years now, but his contributions to TB, in the earlier days, were vast and substantial. Vastly substantial, I guess you could say.
 
#12
Are you sure, Damon, about MY bumper thing? We better check with Jeff.......I gotta book in the works called "The life and times of the inventor of The fabulous PW fan-belt bass bumpers". I'm gonna put in a call to my attorney as we speak just in case.

Yeah, seriously, I miss Jeff and some of the other guys who bit the dust around here.
I even miss Branstetter......
 
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#16
Michael Eisenman said:
I installed a set on my bass yesterday, and I think they turned out just dandy, so I want to share. I got the idea of using a fan belt from the threads here.

I used a Gates A30 fan belt (1/2") and cut the pieces 2" long for the upper bout and 3" long for the lower bout. (Lay a straightedge along the two bouts to determine the touch points.) I wouldn't go with a smaller 3/8" belt because it probably wouldn't protrude far enough from the rib.

I flattened the contact areas on a belt sander and beveled the ends to thin them so they would be less likely to pull away from the body. I then used a black Sharpie marker to hide the belt fibers. They look like a bridge on an archtop guitar.

I centered the upper-bout pieces on the touch points. The lower-bout pieces are positioned so that the north ends are on the touch points, which allows for a bit of rolling of the body. I attached them with contact cement (specifically Barge brand). They're not going anywhere, but they can be removed. Good for 50,000 miles, I think. I gave the remaining fan belt material to my luthier for his other customers.
Click to expand...

It is now June 2020, and they haven’t budged and are working great. :thumbsup:
 
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