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Double Bass crack repair question

#21
Matthew Tucker said:
I have seen cracks repaired without taking the top off, by working glue into the crack then using a strip of brown paper glued along the crack on the outside of the bass. As the glue and the paper dries, it shrinks, supposedly pulling the crack tightly together in the process. Then when the repair is fully dry the brown paper and glue is sponged off. Seemed to work especially in the middle of the plate where cramps are harder to use.
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Matt,

I can't say I agree with the paper having that strength or result in the many times I have used it. I guess if you have seen it you have seen it... maybe its a dif type of paper in sydney :)
 
#22
farmerdude said:
I walked in on my bass in mid operation (bad thing to do) and saw a few things that scared me, but because I dont know a thing about repair-everything scares me when my bass in on the table...Since I could hardly eat or sleep from this experience, I went door to door around the shops in town and finally located the man I was looking for....(he had changed shops since I used him 3 years ago)...he gave me some "if thens" to check out and gave me hope that this is not such a bad thing, so ...I returned to my bass to see a closer-to-finish product and found that the 3" wide strips (I thought were being used) ended up being about 1" or so and the thickness of the top went from 6m +/-. to about 8 mm in the patch area...esthetically, the patch also blends in well (looks good)

I'm just a farmer so I have searched (what seem like to me) everywhere for info on material and methods of crack repair. Seems to be little info on the web (you guys dont talk about this:D ) but from discussions, I have found that luthiers have their own school of thought and top secret ingredients...it doesnt take long to get in an opinion war!!...the method above has apparently been used by some in Kansas City for years....so for now I'm gonna kick back-not worry and wait for the finish product (the tone). If we have a problem then....well I'm not thinking about that now:)

Thanks for the all the feedback, I appreciated you guys and the time you take to share you knowlege....
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Hey, if the shop stands behind the work then other than your time and trips to the shop they will be fixing there own good or be it bad work.
 
#23
I think this question is OK within this thread:
I just found a about a 2" crack on the lower E side bout, and it is vertical ( when the upright is upright). One side of the crack is higher then the other, like a geological plate shift. Does anyone know if this can be remedied without removing the top? And if so, how is this done? Thanks for any advise.
 
#24
kip said:
I think this question is OK within this thread:
I just found a about a 2" crack on the lower E side bout, and it is vertical ( when the upright is upright). One side of the crack is higher then the other, like a geological plate shift. Does anyone know if this can be remedied without removing the top? And if so, how is this done? Thanks for any advise.
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If this is near the Bass Bar, take off the strings and get the Bass to the Hospital b4 the crack reaches the neck. If not, do it anyway. Not a friendly sign from what I am imagining from your description. To do it right, the Top must come off, I think. Post some pics and you will get more accurate advise if not the same I just gave you.
 
#28
kip said:
the crack is on middle of the rib. I carry the bass in a sedan, on its back, front seat reclined. It's a tight fit and most likely it got whacked by the arm rest on the door. Good move, Kip.
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Ouch! Do you carry it in a case? I ask because, on occasion, I have bumped a rib with my car door but the padding in the case is so thick there was never an issue.
 
#29
kip said:
the crack is on middle of the rib. I carry the bass in a sedan, on its back, front seat reclined. It's a tight fit and most likely it got whacked by the arm rest on the door. Good move, Kip.
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A skilled 'Bass' Luthier should be able to do a 'temp.' repair without removing the Top. I say Temp because the day the Top comes off for something more serious, you will want is studded a little better. I patch or two can be pulled turm with fine wire from the outside or Lined can be used as well. The Luthier doing the job can advise yoy best only after he sees the Bass in person.

My Gilkes is nearing its restoration completion. the Top hasn't been off in about 100 years. Many many Rib repairs were done from the outside over the years. While the Top was off, I had Arnold do EVERY Rib repair over again just to be sure it's in the best possible repaired condition. Many types of crack Repairs have been done without removing the Tops of Basses but it's always best to re-do them during restorations so you know it's done righg and you will sleep better as well knowing that.
 

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