Double Bass Cracks are they dangerous ?

[Ian Henry]

Hi All
Got an old german bass from 1850 (I think). After taking out of storage found there are cracks. Pictured. I got a quote to fix them and it was off the scale and I really cant afford this at the moment.

Difficult to tell from a picture I know but are cracks - generally - immediately fatal. The guy who quoted me said yes it would get worse and kaboom. Could I / should store the bass in any way while I work out what to do ? Anything else I could do?

One crack in the pictures from a previous repair and that cost quite a bit. So I am in a bit of a fix as the repair bill is quite a large proportion of the value. Its a lovely object but I cant keep throwing money at her. Any advice you guys have would be great
Ian

 

[DrayMiles]

The vibrations caused from playing it will make it worse. Also, unless they take the top off and give it a thorough look over, there may be other things wrong. Personally, I try to get all cracks fixed ASAP... I’m guessing, but $1500-3000 is a good start for an estimate imo. If you’re strapped for cash, the upright is a painful instrument to own...

 

[wathaet]

Its fine. Have a luthier fill the cracks with hideglue if you cannot afford to open the bass up. You should see my Hill. If you want to store it, take the pressure off the strings maybe a wholestep/minor third and store it at 40% humidity.

 

[Steven Ayres]

Those are both rib cracks, right?

 

[Ian Henry]

yep, two down by the end pin.

Theres another one the f hole which is why it needs opening up, I gather that is why its on the pricey side

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

yep, two down by the end pin.

Theres another one the f hole which is why it needs opening up, I gather that is why its on the pricey side

View attachment 3151851

That one is easily repaired with hide glue, a cleat and clamp. It can be done through the f hole. The rib cracks are fairly routine. This looks like $200-$300.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The top does not need to come off in order to stabilize those cracks.

As has been suggested, a good luthier can knife hot hide glue into the rib cracks if they’re clean, apply clamps to the ribs and be done with it in a day.

That top crack will be a bit trickier, but I’ve done a top-on repair of a similar crack with one clamp and a 1/2” square bit of old denim, which held while a previous attempt with a spruce clear failed.

 

[Ian Henry]

Thanks KfS and everyone else, am a bit out of my depth and appreciate the help and experience. Will look at getting an estimate to glue and stabilize.

 

[Steve Swan]

Having a 150 year old bass (if it really is that old) is like owning a 150 year old house, as it takes lots of aware monitoring to keep it from turning into heap of useless sticks. Sides, especially thin ones, under tension take a tremendous about of twisting stress. Just slopping some hide glue into misaligned side cracks are a recipe for disaster.

 

[lurk]

I'm not a luthier. Gage's shop has fixed rib cracks like this without talking the top off. They reinforce the inside with linen cloth.
The repairs (on my 40 year old Poellman) have lasted, in some cases, for decades. I've had a crack in the top too that they repaired this way. I can't remember what they charged, but it wasn't bank breaking, and they're expensive - nationally known and in a very high rent Manhattan location. Leather or neoprine bumpers on the ribs and concientious humidification in the winter will prevent further damage.

 

[bengreen]

There's been a shift in recent years among luthiers. Techniques evolve. More and more repairs that would have routinely involved popping the top in the past are being accomplished from the outside. This isn't just to make things cheaper and quicker but from a perspective that the least invasive surgery may have the healthiest outcome.

But not always.

Folks here looking at a few snaps taken from the outside may not have enough information to reliably nay say a pro who saw it in person.

Is there another luthier you could take it to for a second opinion? Preferrably one who specializes in bass?

Until then, having the strings at lower tension and and avoiding stressfull environments (like a non-temperature controlled storage locker) is safest until you know where you stand.

 

[Ian Henry]

Yep I guess you have to take each case as it comes. This time its a repair from the outside, see how that holds up.
A funny thing I heard when I asked friend of a friend who plays in an Orchestra. He said he took his to a place in Paris.
Hmm good idea, I could take the wife and buy a painting while I was there.