Double Bass Lidl 5/35 project bass- advice please!

[GretschWretch]

I too picked up a 5/35 husk, decommissioned out of the GA school system, for (oddly enough) $535. Mine has the same heel break, only with a not-so-great, didn't quite get the ends flush, repair. I suggest a more nuanced approach to diagnosis as an alternative to removing a bunch of things just to see what "might" be wrong.

String the bass up, only bring it up to standard pitch very gradually, like start it a fifth below at BEAD tuning and raise the pitch incrementally 1/2 step per day. Any weaknesses or potential failure points ought to reveal themselves by slow separation, and you may be able to wick some glue in there and clamp and thereby avoid some major surgeries. And also avoid the explosion that might occur if you run the strings up to standard pitch right away.

 

[jsf729]

I too picked up a 5/35 husk, decommissioned out of the GA school system, for (oddly enough) $535. Mine has the same heel break, only with a not-so-great, didn't quite get the ends flush, repair. I suggest a more nuanced approach to diagnosis as an alternative to removing a bunch of things just to see what "might" be wrong.

String the bass up, only bring it up to standard pitch very gradually, like start it a fifth below at BEAD tuning and raise the pitch incrementally 1/2 step per day. Any weaknesses or potential failure points ought to reveal themselves by slow separation, and you may be able to wick some glue in there and clamp and thereby avoid some major surgeries. And also avoid the explosion that might occur if you run the strings up to standard pitch right away.

That basically was my original plan, but I like your idea of starting a fifth down. Hadn't thought about that. About ready to get started on it, so great timing. Thanks!

 

[Henry Hohn]

Spiro S42 have less tension than D'Addario heavy Pizz strings. Even less than D'Addario Mediums on the higher strings but not on the lower ones.
Don't forget the scale the tension measurements are made for!

(Check my Excel file on Dropbox...)

Thanks. I hadn't thought the scale would have much difference on tension and downforce. All I can say is I like the way they play. The Heavy Pizz and Spiro 3885's were both very stiff. I chose the Heavy Pizz because the specs closely resembled the Spiro. Little did I know the S42's would play like butter. It was 90 degrees at the outdoor gig last night. The heat helped the whole rig sound great.