Double Bass Bass and Cello Luthier Tools

[Steve Freides]

I've been playing guitar for a lot longer than I've been playing bass, and over the years, I've acquired a few tools and can handle some minor repairs on my own.

I was just given a Meisel cello by a friend who is fellow bass player - apparently it sat in a closet for a few decades, no one wants it, and since I started playing cello a year or two ago, my friend asked me if I wanted it, and I said "Yes." (NB: I have an Eberle carved bass, bought from Ideale in NYC, that sounds and plays _way_ better than what I paid for it would suggest, so I'm up for giving this cello a little TLC and see what sort of instrument it becomes.)

The sound post is rattling around inside it, so that's my first order of business - with the soundpost positioned properly, and a new set of strings, I'll have a plywood cello and, hey, maybe it'll be better than my current plywood cello.

I'm up for buying whatever tool (or two) I would use to set the soundpost in place on a cello and, while I'm at it, I'm up for learning about sound post positioning on both cello and bass. I will likely take this to the shop after I get the soundpost positioned, just so they can put it in the right place after I put it in _some_ place, but we all start somewhere.

My guitar tools comes from Stewart-McDonald - appreciate a recommendation for a source for the above-mentioned tools and specifics on what tool(s) to get.

Many thanks in advance.

-S-

 

[GretschWretch]

Try Luthiers' Mercantile or Howard Core Company.

 

[longfinger]

Gollihur sells a sound post setter tool for bass. Not sure if it is too big for cello, but you could ask them.

Upright Bass Sound Post Setter Tool


Here is another company selling 3 different sized tools that don't use the "stabbing" method.

Gemini Sound Post Setter Tool

 

[Steven Ayres]

I found this design on Ebay a few years ago, and I was surprised at how easy it is to use.

 

[Steve Freides]

@Steven Ayres, good find, thank you. Cello Sound Post Inserter / Remover

The reviews are interesting - everyone likes the cello version, but one person said the bass version was too floppy/flimsy to move a soundpost. Sounds like this tool, plus the "stab" kind, might make a good combination for bass, and I think I might just order each kind of tool for both instruments.

@GretschWretch, Luthiers Merchantile seems like Stew-Mac, a guitar shop. I couldn't find any soundpost tools on their site. Howard Core has, but it's not what I'd call newbie-friendly, very little in the way of descriptions, reviews, and the like.

@longfinger, looks good and was an interesting read, but pricey. And based on what I see elsewhere, I don't think Gollihur's bass tool would be suitable for cello because everyone else sells that tool in different sizes for these two instruments.

-S-

 

[GretschWretch]

@Steven Ayres, good find, thank you. Cello Sound Post Inserter / Remover

The reviews are interesting - everyone likes the cello version, but one person said the bass version was too floppy/flimsy to move a soundpost. Sounds like this tool, plus the "stab" kind, might make a good combination for bass, and I think I might just order each kind of tool for both instruments.

@GretschWretch, Luthiers Merchantile seems like Stew-Mac, a guitar shop. I couldn't find any soundpost tools on their site. Howard Core has, but it's not what I'd call newbie-friendly, very little in the way of descriptions, reviews, and the like.

@longfinger, looks good and was an interesting read, but pricey. And based on what I see elsewhere, I don't think Gollihur's bass tool would be suitable for cello because everyone else sells that tool in different sizes for these two instruments.

-S-

I may have confused Luthiers Mercantile with International Violin, and i am not even sure IV still is in existence. Howard Core is local to me and I have been dealing with them for years and always received great treatment. I cannot speak as to the newbie experience with HC.

My own soundpost-setting tools comprise a weiner-roast fork, a paint-stirring stick, a small rawhide mallet, and an auto parts retractable gripper for when the post falls.

 

[John Chambliss]

I keep one of these in my double bass bag. https://www.amazon.com/Grabber-flex...h+light&qid=1603724722&sr=8-5&tag=googhydr-20

I also tie a string around the sound post. Easy to reset with the string and the gripper/grabber.

 

[Carl Hillman]

I've been playing guitar for a lot longer than I've been playing bass, and over the years, I've acquired a few tools and can handle some minor repairs on my own.

I was just given a Meisel cello by a friend who is fellow bass player - apparently it sat in a closet for a few decades, no one wants it, and since I started playing cello a year or two ago, my friend asked me if I wanted it, and I said "Yes." (NB: I have an Eberle carved bass, bought from Ideale in NYC, that sounds and plays _way_ better than what I paid for it would suggest, so I'm up for giving this cello a little TLC and see what sort of instrument it becomes.)

The sound post is rattling around inside it, so that's my first order of business - with the soundpost positioned properly, and a new set of strings, I'll have a plywood cello and, hey, maybe it'll be better than my current plywood cello.

I'm up for buying whatever tool (or two) I would use to set the soundpost in place on a cello and, while I'm at it, I'm up for learning about sound post positioning on both cello and bass. I will likely take this to the shop after I get the soundpost positioned, just so they can put it in the right place after I put it in _some_ place, but we all start somewhere.

My guitar tools comes from Stewart-McDonald - appreciate a recommendation for a source for the above-mentioned tools and specifics on what tool(s) to get.

Many thanks in advance.

-S-

Metropolitan Music

CELLO SOUNDPOST SETTER S-SHAPED

CELLO SOUNDPOST RETRIEVER

 

[Steve Freides]

@Carl Hillman, I retrieved the soundpost from my cello last night by laying on my back on the floor, putting the cello on my knees (bent, so I guess it was more like putting the cello on my shins) and moving it around until the soundpost sat more or less over an f-hole. Then I used the eraser end of a pencil, which had just enough grip to let me move it around a little until it I could pull it out with my fingers. More or less how I get a pick out of an acoustic guitar. In this case, there wasn't a bridge or strings on the cello, which certainly made my approach more viable.

-S-

 

[Carl Hillman]

@Carl Hillman, I retrieved the soundpost from my cello last night by laying on my back on the floor, putting the cello on my knees (bent, so I guess it was more like putting the cello on my shins) and moving it around until the soundpost sat more or less over an f-hole. Then I used the eraser end of a pencil, which had just enough grip to let me move it around a little until it I could pull it out with my fingers. More or less how I get a pick out of an acoustic guitar. In this case, there wasn't a bridge or strings on the cello, which certainly made my approach more viable.

-S-

I've never messed with the soundpost in my bass, but buying a setter and learning how to take care of business should it fall is definitely on my "to do" list.

I wish I still had my plywood bass to use for practice.

 

[Quinn Roberts]

Great thread topic! I'll certainly be taking notes
Around here a good luthier costs an arm and a leg; and that's if you can find one. I've got an old Shen SB80 that needs a tune-up so I've been putting some real thought into getting the necessary tools and trying to learn how to work them myself.

 

[1st Bass]

My first "sound-post-setter" was a stiff wire (9-gauge fence-wire) sharpened to a long wedge-shaped point on one end, and bent to a crook on the other end. It worked, but was limited, as sometimes you need a left-bending crook, and sometimes you need a right...and sometimes you need to push, not pull.
Eventually, I forged my own setters, and have been doing so ever since.

 

[scottcharles]

I highly recommend International Violin Company for these types of purchases, they usually have most items needed for orchestral repair and they are incredibly helpful or friendly. I have spent many an hour on the website just to learn about tool options relating to repair of orchestral instruments and bows. You can call or email with them for advice on selection, they ship quickly and are responsive about current inventory and order details. As long as I am not looking for the cheapest available option, I have preferred to use StewMac for most fretted instrument tool and part needs, and International Violin for orchestral repair tool and part needs. They both can be a bit more expensive than the other options online, but the quality and customer service at both companies has always been worth it in experience.

 

[1st Bass]

I have always liked dealing with IVC, too, though I am finding that some more obscure items will not be found there, so I have to go to GEWA, or some other provider.

But Ken, at IVC, has been consistently friendly and helpful.

 

[james condino]

Basses are not cellos; many of the cello tools are a struggle to expand up to our needed sizes.

My most used tools for the bass are ones that I have made...

 

[robobass]

I've set a soundpost maybe three times in my life so don't want to spend real money or time buying or making a setter, so I use one of these. Probably five bucks at HF. It might be too big for a cello though. Another option might be a large surgical forceps?

 

[Povl Carstensen]

I've made this from a wire coat hanger. Perfect.