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Hollow Under Fingerboard Projection

Discussion in 'Setup & Repair [DB]' started by idahohay, Dec 5, 2005.

  1. Dec 5, 2005 #1
    idahohay

    idahohay

    Nov 22, 2002
    Priest River, ID
    I have never seen anything but a "generic" hollow on inexpensive basses, usually left as is and sometimes pretty crude. I have seen nicely done hollowing that goes the full length of the overhang and wonder how the top luthiers approach this. Any opinions?
     
  2. Dec 5, 2005 #2
    Jeff Bollbach

    Jeff Bollbach Jeff Bollbach Luthier, Inc.

    Dec 12, 2001
    freeport, ny
    Don't know about any top luthiers, Hayes, but I just leave 'em the way they come to me. You could hollow out a few inches more just with a thumbplane and scraper. Not a big deal, I just don't see a need. Some would do this to lighten the neck.
     
  3. Dec 5, 2005 #3
    Eric Jackson

    Eric Jackson

    Apr 9, 2003
    Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
    ..he said, tiptoeing gingerly around the sleeping AO-BO monster...
     
  4. Dec 5, 2005 #4
    Jeff Bollbach

    Jeff Bollbach Jeff Bollbach Luthier, Inc.

    Dec 12, 2001
    freeport, ny
    ah, you know me too well.
     
  5. Dec 6, 2005 #5
    b1644

    b1644

    Aug 24, 2005
    Northern Ontario
    So, does anybody want to enlighten the rest of us about the "AO-BO monster" thing?

    - Martin
     
  6. Dec 6, 2005 #6
    Eric Jackson

    Eric Jackson

    Apr 9, 2003
    Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
    AO-BO mode matching has been debated at length in the past here. It is the process of matching the resonant frequency of the air chamber (body) with the resonant frequency of the fingerboard/ neck assembly. Some believe it can make a substantial difference in the sound of an instrument. Some, like Mr. Bowlback, think it's bubbermeiser. (love that word...)

    A search will likely turn up some spirited discussion.