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Double Bass End of finger board flexes.

awp

awp

Guest
Oct 9, 2013
45
11
London, Ontario
#1
Not sure if this is the right section to post to or not

I am a beginner playing bass (8 months) My Eastman VB80 is the only bass I've spent much time on.

Yesterday while playing I noticed that the end of the fingerboard flexes visibly under my thumb as I pull the strings (pizz). When I say visibly we are talking few millimetres not more. Everything seems to be sound and honestly it probably always did that. I am questioning if that is normal or something to be concerned about?

Regards
Warren
 
#2
Not unusual. The amount of flexing depends on the hardness of the wood and the thickness and curvature of the fingerboard.
A black fingerboard doesn't mean always a hard ebony one, could also be a painted ("ebonized") maple one.

I just wonder why it happens when you pull the strings. It usually happens when you press down the string over there.
 
#3
Eastman claims it is ebony but who knows.

When I pull the string I have my thumb on the side of the fingerboard. It is the pressure from my thumb that causes the flex. It is flexing up as I seem to be putting my thumb under the board slightly.

Regards
Warren
 
#4
I agree with DoubleMIDI. It does seem odd that it flexes when you pizz. rather than when you push down on the board. I seem to recall on previous basses I've had with thinner boards that they would flex slightly if I pulled up or pushed down on the board. Perhaps your board is too thin or the glue joint is not secure. It couldn't hurt to have a luthier take a look.

Edit-- It's a matter of degree. I just checked this on my bass. I have a thick ebony board (15+ mm at the end). Not surprisingly, if I press down right at the end of the board there is a bit of flexion. Now, when I pull down on the A to pizz., the board does flex ever so slightly but you have to really look carefully to see it. If this is the type of movement you're seeing, then it's perfectly normal.
 
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#5
Thanks for your added note drurb. I measured and my finger board is 14mm at the end. As I said in my first post the board flexes only a bit under normal use. Millimetres at best. I can move it more if I try.

I looked at where the board joins the neck and the joint is very sound with no cracks or gaps.

I think I am good but I'll try to remember to mention if when I go to the luthier.

Regards
Warren
 
#7
Thanks robobass. I think you are on to something. I think I've been sloppy on technique and using my thumb for leverage more than I should be.

I'll go back to the basics a bit and try to clean that up before it becomes chronic.

Good to know though that a bit of flex at the end of the board is not uncommon.

Regards
Warren
 
#8
Yes, but pulling the string down into the board with the weight of the arm is fine technique. When you do that, it's inevitable that there is upward pressure on the board with the thumb there. I think this is much ado about nothing. It seems that what you describe is quite normal. Relax and play. :)
 

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