Recent content by rbenson

I agree that broken necks can be a serious problem. I had a '57 Kay with a repaired neck and it seriously lacked volume. I had to amplify it even in basement jam sessions. I eventually had the neck repaired again (correctly) at Hammond Ashley and the difference was astounding -- much much louder.

I noticed that no one has mentioned Rosette BlueDots or BlueDots Gold markers. They look like professional inlays but they're actually color dry transfer so they are very easily removed if you no longer need them or have raised/lowered your strings. They're designed to be used on the side of...

After I removed the tape, I added BlueDots Gold fret markers (by Rosette Guitar Products) along the edge of the fingerboard. They look terrific and, because they're dry transfer, the come right off if desired. I put markers on the 1, 3, 5 and 7 positions. I also treated the slightly...

I'm really taken by Peter Ford's washtub bass playing. You can check him out on You Tube or MySpace playing with the Baby Soda jazz band. He built his own "string bass box" that replaces the metal tub with a very cool bass cabinet. Does anyone know how he built it? I'd like to try to...

Thanks for all your advice! You folks are great. I bought a bottle of naphtha (lighter fluid) and GooGone. I tried the naphtha first and it worked perfectly -- removed the tape residue and left no marks on the ebony fingerboard. I could have done an experiment with the two solutions on...

Yesterday I purchased a second-hand 3/4 Christopher DB103. I love the action and the sound! Glad I didn't buy a smaller bass. However, when I tried to put it across the back seat of my Toyota Prius, it was about a foot too long. No problem, it easily went in through the back hatch with one...

Thanks to all. I give it a try this week.

Amazing! Do you think the original top was replaced with the carved top?

I'm the proud new owner of a lightly used and beautifully set up Christopher DB103. On the ebony fingerboard are two pieces of cellophane transparent tape that were used as markers. What is the best way to remove the tape and any remaining residue? Thanks!

I neither want to look (too) silly nor fail to move enough air. Thanks for the good advice. BTW, nice Kay's on your website Jake. I live not far from your shop -- maybe I'll have a Kay to show you one of these days.

I've been lurking for a few weeks and decided to join the conversations. I played upright bass for 35 years in a Dixiland band and also played for a year with a bluegrass band. After several years of not touching the string bass, I've rediscovered bluegrass and want to get back into a group...

Thanks for the information! The bass sold so I'm afraid that it will remain a mystery to me.

I'm getting back into bluegrass and want to buy a bass. Many years ago I played bluegrass bass with a 3/4 size Kay. Wish I still had it! However, one of the hassles was always transporting the bass in the car. That got me wondering why bluegrass bass players don't use 1/2 or even 1/4 sized...

I saw photos of a bass recently that looked a lot like an early 40's Epiphone but the owner says it has a solid top. Do any of you know if Epiphone ever made a solid-top bass? The bass doesn't have the stylized f-holes of the later Epiphones, so it's hard to tell from the photos. BTW, I'm...