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Double Bass Bass bumpers
- Thread starter azflyman
- Start date
- Mar 1, 2002
- 4,237
- 52
- 74
- Disclosures
- Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
Recently I saw a nice old Pedigree Bass with bumpers on one side. Someone, somehow laide the bass down with confidence on the Bumper only to find out that the extra pressure placed as the Bass was laid down with confidence that the Bumper will protect the Bass was short sighted. The Bumper was pushed back into the Rib, pressed it inwards and caused it to crack.
So now we have the Bumper actually breaking the Bass. Had this Bass been laid on it's side with no Bumper at all, only the edges would have had a slight impression. The Bumper pressing the Rib over the years finally caused it to crack across the entire Rip from the Top to the Back like an 8" crease.
If your Bass has external linings like many German and Czech Basses do with the Bumper on the outer Lining, then this has a better chance of avoiding damage like this. Still, what will happen if the Bumper gets kncked off the Bass somehow. Will it damage the original Varnish at all or pull some wood out as it's glued firmly on?
Again, having owned many Basses in the 100-200+ year age range without any Bumpers at all, my advice is to treat your Bass gently and not worry so much about Bumpers that can damage your Bass in more than one way.
I wish I had my Camera when I saw this Bass. I would love to show you exactly what happened. As I have had casual interest in Bumpers on some of my Basses in the past is now shot clear out of the water forever.... Maybe!
So now we have the Bumper actually breaking the Bass. Had this Bass been laid on it's side with no Bumper at all, only the edges would have had a slight impression. The Bumper pressing the Rib over the years finally caused it to crack across the entire Rip from the Top to the Back like an 8" crease.
If your Bass has external linings like many German and Czech Basses do with the Bumper on the outer Lining, then this has a better chance of avoiding damage like this. Still, what will happen if the Bumper gets kncked off the Bass somehow. Will it damage the original Varnish at all or pull some wood out as it's glued firmly on?
Again, having owned many Basses in the 100-200+ year age range without any Bumpers at all, my advice is to treat your Bass gently and not worry so much about Bumpers that can damage your Bass in more than one way.
I wish I had my Camera when I saw this Bass. I would love to show you exactly what happened. As I have had casual interest in Bumpers on some of my Basses in the past is now shot clear out of the water forever.... Maybe!
Jeff Bollbach
Jeff Bollbach Luthier, Inc.
Ken-
that's why wood is a poor choice for a bumper. I have never seen a leather or rubber bumper result in damage. and they do protect the edge.
that's why wood is a poor choice for a bumper. I have never seen a leather or rubber bumper result in damage. and they do protect the edge.
Jeff Bollbach
Jeff Bollbach Luthier, Inc.
Don Higdon said:
Ha,ha. Contact cement will usually just rub off. It is a purely mechanical bond. Toluol will readily dissolve it with no effect to any traditional varnish.
- Mar 1, 2002
- 4,237
- 52
- 74
- Disclosures
- Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
Jeff Bollbach said:
Jeff, if I decide to put Bumpers on any of my Basses, I will call you about it. I just hate the idea of something non-wood glued to the outside of one of my Basses.
Jeff Bollbach said:
I think that's what's holding on the rubber bumpers CB put on my LaScala. At first I though it was kind of crazy, but they've stayed on and kept the edge of the bass clean as a whistle.
Who would have thought this thread would still be alive? I have been gone for damn near a year.
az
az
- Mar 1, 2002
- 4,237
- 52
- 74
- Disclosures
- Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
azflyman said:
It's not really alive.. We're just kicking around the dead Varnish ruined from Bumpers, that's all..
100
OK, here's another one... I found an old bungee cord that has the flat rubber (as opposed to the fabric-covered cord). I was able to trim with with scissors and adhere it to my bass with only 3M poster tape. Because it's flat, it sits just a little bit higher than the edges of the tables (I have internal linings). It is slightly wider than a fan belt would be, although it doesn't stick out much against my darker finish. This has been my best DIY solution yet , compared to auto vacuum hose on the edges and brown duct tape.
I figured those bungees were still out there. I would rather have the fanbelt bumpers actually; you can get brown kevlar belts that are made for lawn tractors that would look great. However, I'd rather my luthier handle the gluing, and since he's a couple hours away, I'm trying the Mr. Fixit route first.
