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Double Bass Cheap Repair On Long Island?

phnord

phnord

Oct 26, 2010
144
22
Brooklyn, NY
www.andibuch.com
#1
Here's my situation. I mostly play electric - but when I started playing bass back in 1995 it was in my high school orchestra on an upright. That upright has gone mostly unplayed for a little over a decade.

Lately I've been playing a lot of jazz, and I'd like to have the upright available for gigs. However, it's not in the best condition and I really need to fix it up before then.

The issues are as follows:

  • The G string now basically lays against the fingerboard - to the extent that it's unplayable above maybe C or so - while the E string is a good inch off of the instrument. I think this could be because of the wood on the front of the body warping slightly, but am not sure. I've tried quick fixes of putting some material between the bridge and the body on the G string side, and while this has helped it hasn't done a whole lot.

  • I thought this might be caused by the soundpost being incorrectly positioned, but when I tried to move it it fell in the bass :3

  • The endpin seems stuck - no matter how hard I go at it with pliers, etc. it won't move at all.

Those are the three main issues that I need addressed. The trouble is that I'm operating on a very slim budget. Optimally I'm looking for something like a $50 or under repair; I'm willing to go up to $100 or so if need be.

I don't know how much repairs of this nature usually cost, but I imagine given that luthiers are few and far between that I can expect the usual range to be well over what I'm willing to put out...

I'm not looking for top-notch craftsmanship. I'm not looking to turn this into a world class instrument, or even a decent one. I just want to make it playable.

Does anyone have any advice on any shops in the Long Island / New York City area that I might look into taking my bass into?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! ^_^
 
#2
Your budget doesn't fit in with reality. The kind of work you need done is not worth doing unless it's done well, and only a proper bass luthier can do it. Look on Gollihur's list of luthiers for someone near you.
 
#3
The endpin and the soundpost could indeed be done near your budget, there are many luthiers that would do that for a pittance if they were also doing other work. The string height issue is gonna cost more though, since it's probably a bridge problem, fingerboard problem, or top problem(or all three). I would guess you'd be looking at at least $200, and probably nearer to $400. It could be the soundpost was the main issue, causing the top to sink on that side and making the G unplayable, but if it's been like that for a long time it's probably beyond a simple fix. But I have no idea what the bass looks like, nor do I have any experience as a luthier, just as a customer. It's helpful to tell someone before you take it in that you have a very limited budget. IME IMHO etc etc
 
#4
Or this money you might get the endpin and the soundpost setting done, but not your main problem.

I hope you already checked that, but is the bridge correctly orientated, E side to E and G side to G? If the bridge is correclty orientated and positioned I'm rather sure there might be something wrong with the instrument if it was playable before. So better take it to a luthier for inspection. If the luthier says you need a new bridge and anything else is OK (after setting the soundpost and repairing the stuck endpin) you might temporarily put some layers of veneer (building up to 5mm) under the G side bridge foot before you can afford a new bridge. You might want to glue them together and let the glue dry under tension under the bridge foot to get the curvature needed. But before you do this take the bass to a luthier for inspection. He might at least help you with the soundpost and the endpin and you will be informed what is wrong with your bass.
 
#9
I could take a look at your bass, and help setting it up around your budget. I'm around stony brook and port jefferson station, let me know if you're interested to swing by, my number is 2063131882. Take care.
 
#13
bluesbassbkf said:
try the guitar er in wantagh,,cant hurt to get an estimate and his prices arent that bad,,the guy is the best!!! check out his website or facebook page good luck!
Click to expand...

he is a guitar guy. i know him. he's very popular around here, and does do nice work on electric guitars from what i've heard.

i'd rather my car mechanic fix my double bass than him, though.

you should contact jeff bollbach. he's in freeport.. i've heard many good things and been recommended to go to him many times.

you'll need a higher budget to get your bass in shape, like others said.
 

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