Double Bass approaching "undedicated" bass luthier

[PaulKos]

Hallo as I have said in an other thread I have a lovely friend witch is a traditional instrument luthier(Huge support) but I really cannot bother him being uninformed. He barely have the time and patient to speak with me. And I am miles away from "dedicated bass luthiers" not just miles but many basses in money value. I have many things that need treatment, from my bass up to my bow. But I have a big question for those who know. I really need to convert my bass to a removable neck one. Does anybody know if this easy and if this is achievable for someone with standard or basic luthier knowledge? Is there any kit or any basic advices(luthier kind) that I have to transfer to him?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

That is major surgery. And why is it your responsibility to educate this "luthier" on his profession?

Better to take a long drive and work with somebody who will do the job right than allow some local hack to wreck your bass. Trust me.

 

[PaulKos]

Thank you... my point is that a major instrument surgery is something that any luthier can do... so I believe he can do it. About the long drive believe me it will cost far more less to buy a new removable neck bass.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

A major instrument surgery is something that any luthier can do?

Tell that to the owners of nice basses that have been butchered by guitar shops. It is just not true that any random luthier is qualified to work on basses.

 

[SAlcott]

Ask your guy one question: "Do you mix fresh hide glue every day". If he says anything but "Of course", he has no business touching your bass.

 

[robobass]

Ask your guy one question: "Do you mix fresh hide glue every day". If he says anything but "Of course", he has no business touching your bass.

Really?

 

[PaulKos]

Ok lets say that my guy its good at his job and I kind of mean that... is there an chance to get any guidance on how to do that? From any body that had done it already?

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Ask your guy one question: "Do you mix fresh hide glue every day". If he says anything but "Of course", he has no business touching your bass.

I guess I'd better not say when my last batch was mixed - you'll probably think less of me!

 

[MikeCanada]

While being good with hand tools, building guitars, or even violins is definitely an asset to working on basses, those skills alone do not make you qualified or knowledgeable enough to do bass work. Cutting a new bridge for a violin, double bass, banjo, or kozobas might all involve similar materials, tools, and steps, but they aren't just larger/smaller versions of the same task. A local luthier who works primarily on violins was approached to cut a bridge for a bass by a colleague of mine. The luthier assumed "I just need to make it a bigger version of what I do for violins" and the bridge turned out as a horrible mess. It warped within a month of being carved, and the bass sounded horrible. That is just one example that comes to mind where "good at fixing x" does not translate to "good at fixing y."

When it comes to converting a bass to a removable neck, I agree that it is a major surgery. There are a lot of dedicated bass luthiers and shops that do not perform that operation, or only perform it under certain circumstances such as a new build instead of a retrofit. Unless you have access to someone who does them on a regular basis, it is not something that anyone could do and if done poorly it has the potential to absolutely destroy your instrument. If your local guy isn't able to do it or has no experience with it, I would strongly suggest either finding a way to get to someone who does, or keeping you bass as it is.

 

[robobass]

I dunno. Doing a RN conversion is major work yes, but it's perhaps more engineering and less luthiery. It's a different skill set then making a bass bar or graduating a top. I think a very highly skilled guitar builder might be just as good for such a job as a bass specialist. He has to attach necks too, after all.

 

[Matthew Tucker]

If your luthier can get the neck out of the mortise leaving the neck and mortise reasonably undamaged, and knows how to restore any damge, and how to re-set a neck properly, then he can make a removable neck bass. You probably won't find a kit or instructions but there are lots of pictures on the innernets that show you how it can be done. It isn't that complicated to work out how to do it, and in my opinion is much less major surgery than removing a top for repairs/restoration or replacing blocks ... But if your luthier wants you to provide the instructions because he doesn't want to research it himself, then i suggest you don't give the job to him, because it needs some thought, and things don't always go according to plan. For example, what if he gets the neck out but the block cracks or is already cracked? Can he/is he going to replace the block? Are you happy with just a removable neck or do you want it adjustable as well? Have you sourced an affordable lightweight case for the neck-off bass? Its the second half of the solution ... a neck off bass by itself isn't much help. Add the cost of a decent case ...

here's a pic to start you off.Link Removed

 

[Huy Nguyen]

If you're going to be his first guinea pig, I sure as hell wouldn't do it!

We're talking about getting a heart transplant major- surgery!. I'd sooner ship that bass to someone reputable than to give it to someone who can be a professorial. I ain't got time for that poopie.

 

[Matthew Tucker]

it is more like orthopedics than heart transplant surgery.

 

[Huy Nguyen]

Yeah and a bad foot operation isn't going to make your life miserable?