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Double Bass 1940s Gibson Bass

#22
I've also got a nice supply of vintage bronze paint powder, but it is incredibly simple to make your own. Just put a fresh belt on your stationary belt sander and grind away at a big chunk of scrapyard bronze. Gather up the pile of bronze "dust" at the bottom of the sander and mix it with some fresh lacquer. ( I'd suggest a single purpose spray gun, not one of your best fancy models used for clearcoats).

j.
 
#23
james condino said:
I've also got a nice supply of vintage bronze paint powder, but it is incredibly simple to make your own. Just put a fresh belt on your stationary belt sander and grind away at a big chunk of scrapyard bronze. Gather up the pile of bronze "dust" at the bottom of the sander and mix it with some fresh lacquer. ( I'd suggest a single purpose spray gun, not one of your best fancy models used for clearcoats).

j.
Click to expand...

;)
 
#24
Hello, I am looking for a good home for 1939 Gibson made upright bass similar to the one being discussed. My uncle was the original owner and I have had the instrument for about 15 years. It is in stellar shape suffering only minor scratches. I still play the original catgut strings! I thought you might like to see one dressed in it's original natural finish.

If anyone is interested in this instrument please email me directly for more pics, cheers!
 
#26
Sorry about the pics not coming through. I am obviously new to this forum.
Cheers again!
 

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#29
Jake deVilliers said:
Molly, that's a regular mortise and tenon as used on European basses. Its a much better way of mounting double bass necks. With the French dovetail (Kay and American Standard) you have to leave a space in the neck block. This is one of the major reasons that Kay necks break through the heel so frequently. I have a '52 S-8 in the shop right now with a broken heel and I'm going to convert it to a mortise & tenon.

Gibson and other manufacturers were laminating mandolin and banjo necks with ebony and fibre shim stock before the first world war: its only natural that they'd extend the practice to their basses.

And while we're talking things technical, double basses have 'Gamba' corners (as in viola da gamba) or 'Violin' corners (as in, um, violin)! ;)
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Jake,

What do you mean about leaving a space in the neck block when resetting a neck on a Kay?

Thanks,

Jerry
 
#30
JerryW said:
Jake,

What do you mean about leaving a space in the neck block when resetting a neck on a Kay?

Thanks,

Jerry
Click to expand...

Its the nature of a French dovetail as used on Kay basses and Martin guitars. The shoulders of the joint rest on top of the ribs at the heel while the double-angled mating faces of the mortise and tenon touch, so you have to leave a space between the end of the neck and the back of the block.

Much easier to show you one in the shop than to talk about it! ;)

https://www.google.ca/search?q=mart...pw.r_qf.&fp=d35b7caa84fa6795&biw=1280&bih=905
 

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