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Double Bass Converting a laminate double bass to a hybrid

J

Joanes

Dec 2, 2018
11
2
#1
Hello everyone. Lately I am reading very good reviews about hybrid double basses from brands like Upton, Shen, New standard...
The fact is that they are not available in Spain and I wonder if it is possible and profitable to turn a laminated double bass into a hybrid by taking it to a luthier and changing the top. I suppose the costs would be very high and therefore it is not a common practice, but I am curious. I would appreciate if someone who understands a little about the subject will clarify it for me!
 
#2
after I built my first double bass, I made a new cedar top for my old laminated bass where the top was collapsing a bit but the rest of the body in the neck were in great condition. A big success, the bass sounded fantastic and I'm still using it 18 years later.

I would say go for it if the body and neck are in great condition, you really feel comfortable with your instrument shape and look, and the cost makes sense to you. I don't know how much a luthier would charge you in Spain.

Alternatively, if you are curious and handy with tools you could just have a go yourself!
 
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#5
Joanes said:
Hello everyone. Lately I am reading very good reviews about hybrid double basses from brands like Upton, Shen, New standard...
The fact is that they are not available in Spain and I wonder if it is possible and profitable to turn a laminated double bass into a hybrid by taking it to a luthier and changing the top. I suppose the costs would be very high and therefore it is not a common practice, but I am curious. I would appreciate if someone who understands a little about the subject will clarify it for me!
Click to expand...

Not your question, but as food for thoughts: Some time ago I was talking with a luthier here in Barcelona about this; she had a line of korean made instruments that seems to be in the same segment as the Shen.
 
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#7
Just to continue to flog- many decades ago I played a Kay that had had its top replaced with a spruce one by Tom Kelishek. And I’ve heard apocryphal stories about a Prescott that Lou DeLeone put a plywood back on…
 
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#10
The bass is in perfect condition. The body is made in China, I don't know what brand it is, the bridge and fingerboard are made by the French luthier who sold it to me. It cost me €2500 and I'm very happy with it for being so cheap, but I would like to add the sound of the wood to have a double bass for a long time. I have asked the luthier to give me an estimate and if the price is less than €1500 I think I will do it, but he already told me that it will surely be more expensive than buying a new double bass
 
#11
It does sound cost-prohibitive, but I have no idea of the market in Europe. If you could find a brand, you might be able to get a top. For kicks you might take a mirror inside to check for a label on the underside of the top. Or post pics here, someone may recognize it.
 

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