Double Bass Is this repairable?

[dtiii]

Hi...

The top of my bass is sinking at the F-holes, particularly on the side closest to me. (I play righty). I have been able to compensate by adjusting the feet on the bridge, but not anymore. The bass is now unplayable. Could this be fixed? If so, what would a job like this run. Also, could I have prevented this from happening? (The bass is an Anton Schuster plywood cir. 1950's)

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[robobass]

It sounds like your Bassbar has come unglued. If you can find a little mirror and stick it inside, you'll see a bar that runs most of the length of the top under the "E" bridge foot. If this isn't solidly attached to the top then there's your problem. It may be possible to repair this without removing the top, in which case it wouldn't be terribly expensive to fix. In any case, take the tension down immediately ( the top might crack!) and get the bass to a luthier.

 

[drurb]

I'm not a luthier and I don't play one on TV. Yes, there are methods for repairing sunken tops (e.g., Invalid Link Removed). Especially if the top has to be pulled off, the work you may need could easily exceed the value of the bass. As robobass advised, get the tension off the top and see a luthier.

 

[SplitNick]

I had a CCB when I first started. The bassbar was poorly attached and when it became separated the top began sinking. The luthier removed the top, put in multiple cleats to strengthen the top (which was too thin), cut and afixed a new bass bar, and resprung the top.

Hope you find someone to work on it.

 

[dtiii]

OK... this definitely clues me in. Thanks again for the help.