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Double Bass fingerboard mod
- Thread starter billio
- Start date
The usual process is to plane the bevel out using a block plane or similar cutting tool, then sand the facets into a smooth radiused board. However, this sounds easier than it is... take it to a experienced technician/luthier... not a simple do-it-yourself job.
By the way, pizz and arco players use both bevelled and non-bevelled fingerboards...
By the way, pizz and arco players use both bevelled and non-bevelled fingerboards...
Jeff Sahs planed my fingerboard, rounding the bevel at the same time. Did a fine job, & I still sound awful w/a bow(absolutely not his or the bass' fault).
Why do you want to remove the bevel? Having had both beveled and non- beveled boards, I can't imagine why that would be necessary.
- Dec 13, 1999
- 11,736
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- Disclosures
- Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
Won't you have to have the bridge similarly arced?
EJ - most of the time I see this done, it's cats coming over from BG, the bevel feels funny so they get it removed.
SAW DE BILLY-O - after you been playing for awhile it kind of doesn't matter, as DONO says he generally doesn't notice if there's a bevel or not. You just play.
EJ - most of the time I see this done, it's cats coming over from BG, the bevel feels funny so they get it removed.
SAW DE BILLY-O - after you been playing for awhile it kind of doesn't matter, as DONO says he generally doesn't notice if there's a bevel or not. You just play.
Yeah, I assumed that the bridge would have to be done too. I thought the bevel was mainly there to give "room" for the strings to be bowed and was therefore basically unnecessary if I wasn't going to use the bow. If I removed it, it would no doubt feel more "natural" coming from playing BG to it. You're right tho, I'll get used to it.Ed Fuqua said:
Anyway, it's too damned hot to do anything right now - 48C today (about 118F)!!!
Oilybill, I don't think I'd be too quick to be taking a plane to that board if I wuz you. If you're new to double bass, it's gonna feel big and wierd bevel or no bevel. Right now you have something that's playable that feels a little strange. If you go planing the bevel off the board without really knowing what you're doing you could end up with something that feels really strange that isn't playable.
- Dec 13, 1999
- 11,736
- 8,941
- 70
- Disclosures
- Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
You can bow the beast bevel or not.
If you change the fingerboard profile then the bridge is gonna have to be adapted to the new profile.
I'd leave it alone. You've got better things to do!
If you change the fingerboard profile then the bridge is gonna have to be adapted to the new profile.
I'd leave it alone. You've got better things to do!
Save yourself the trouble, because the bevel is usually preferred for pizzacato over arco, anyway.
I came from EBG two years ago and my first DB had the bevel. My second, obtained this year does not. They do feel different, but the bevel is not the most noticeable difference. I think if you had 2 identical basses with the bevel the only difference, blind folded it would be hard to tell them apart with the left hand. The plucking fingers might feel it missing a little more.
I came from EBG two years ago and my first DB had the bevel. My second, obtained this year does not. They do feel different, but the bevel is not the most noticeable difference. I think if you had 2 identical basses with the bevel the only difference, blind folded it would be hard to tell them apart with the left hand. The plucking fingers might feel it missing a little more.
Jeff Bollbach
Jeff Bollbach Luthier, Inc.
Jeff Bollbach said:Silversorcerer said:
It's surprising to see the number of statements coming from novices(no insult intended, I consider myself as one) regarding basses, set-up and repair given the high qualified luthiers contributing to this board. Off course, everyone is free to speak and discussions are a good thing, but it doesn't hurt to show some humility from time to time
oystein said:but it doesn't hurt to show some humility from time to time
What the hell do ya mean by that??
..as opposed to Jeff's decades of experience as a luthier.Silversorcerer said:
I think that's what he means, Paul.
