bass bar repair and insurance

Discussion in 'Setup & Repair [DB]' started by dperrott, Nov 23, 2005.

  1. dperrott

    dperrott Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 3, 2005
    Jersey City
    It looks like my bass bar is loose! I am so upset. I was worried for a while that there was something wrong with it. It will cost alot of money to repair. Anyone have experience getting this done? How did the bass sound after the repair? The big issue is of insurance. Does anyone have experience getting insurance to pay for the repairs? I may have a problem since there is no direct "accident" involved. My music insurance from Anderson insurance. I changed to them after Clarions rates went sky high.
    dp
     
  2. Tbeers

    Tbeers

    Mar 27, 2005
    Berlin
    My teacher had that repair done. It wasn't to make the instrument sound better, but rather to get rid of the buzzing that the loose bar was causing. I wouldn't expect a dramatic difference in sound.

    I'm no expert on instrument insurance, sorry....
     
  3. arnoldschnitzer

    arnoldschnitzer AES Fine Instruments

    Feb 16, 2002
    New Mexico. USA
    As you already stated, to collect insurance for the repair you'll have to explain what the incident was that caused the bass bar to loosen. As far as tone, the bass should sound considerably better with its bass bar properly attached. One caveat; you should have a new bass bar installed, rather than simply having the old one glued back on. There is a reason the joint failed. Perhaps the bass bar did not fit well to begin with, or maybe the bar was installed with too much spring. The other possibility is that the bass' top took a whack, and then you have a legitimate insurance claim...
     
  4. dperrott

    dperrott Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 3, 2005
    Jersey City
    Thanks for your input. I will have a new bass bar put in. Thats one reason it will be so expensive. I think the bar had too much spring in it.
     
  5. KSB - Ken Smith

    KSB - Ken Smith Inactive Commercial User

    Mar 1, 2002
    Perkasie, PA USA
    Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
    What Bass is this you are having trouble with. If it is a new Bass, the maker or supplier should back up his work or product. With insurance, they will usually only cover damage or loss and not maintainance or product failure which seems to be the problem in your case.

    Listen to Arnold, he is one of the best restorers in the country. If your Bar is loose, it was not put in correctly. Either the joint or the glue failed. The other thing that fails with Bass Bars is sinkage and cracks. In those cases the Bar is still attached but not doing it's job. For the Bar to do it's job it must be attached!
     
  6. dperrott

    dperrott Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 3, 2005
    Jersey City
    My hunch is it is the builders fault. My STRONG hunch. The bass is only 9 years old. I will reluctanly take it to the maker. I don't want to publicly slame the shop. I am fearful of his repairs after hearing a luthiers rant (and often a member of this forum) complain of this builder/manufacturer. This luthier worked in the shop. I have also replaced the warped cheap, original fingerboard. So as you see I am reluctant to have him do the work but I may be forced to depending on the economic situation. It is such a expensive repair.
     
  7. KSB - Ken Smith

    KSB - Ken Smith Inactive Commercial User

    Mar 1, 2002
    Perkasie, PA USA
    Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
    You couldn't..be..any..clearer !!

    I read your profile and now know which Bass you are referring to. I don't know if your Bass is from China or Eastern Europe but 9 years is a tough spot to be in. If it was within a year or two or what ever period might be the warranty if there was one, then you could go back to the seller if you wanted to.

    That being said, your best option at this point and being you are in NYC/Brooklyn is to jump on the belt pkwy etc. and take it to Jeff (the 'ranter'.. lol). He his about the best you will find and his prices from what I hear are very reasonable. He will do an excellent job on your Bass and it may even be better when he is done with it than it's best day since you bought it.

    I think in your shoes I would not go back to the builder/seller and risk a repair bill that might not get you the best for your money. 'Bite the bullet' and take it to Jeff. That's your best option as I see it.
     
  8. Don Higdon

    Don Higdon In Memoriam

    Dec 11, 1999
    Princeton Junction, NJ
    Right. So how painstaking do you expect a make-good to be?
     
  9. Jeff Bollbach

    Jeff Bollbach Jeff Bollbach Luthier, Inc.

    Dec 12, 2001
    freeport, ny
    Whaaa? :eyebrow:
     
  10. Ed Fuqua

    Ed Fuqua

    Dec 13, 1999
    Columbia SC
    Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
    What DONO is saying is: if you take it back to the guys who sold it to you, how much effort do you think they're gonna make to "make it right"?

    I think he should take it to you, too.
     
  11. idahohay

    idahohay

    Nov 22, 2002
    Priest River, ID
    Forgive me if I sound ignorant but can you actually see that the bass bar is loose?
     
  12. dperrott

    dperrott Supporting Member Commercial User

    Oct 3, 2005
    Jersey City

    Yes, the repair shop showed me with the mirror.