Double Bass Loose bass bar?

[Monkey]

I'm having a problem with my '45 Kay and hope I might get some advice before taking it to the luthier.

When I play hard (pizz) on the E string, I get a nasty vibration. It started out as a short-lived vibration only when I really dug in, but it is now becoming more noticeable when I play the E. I can make it stop if I put my finger through the E string F-hole and touch the bass bar, or if I put my hand on the top beside the neck. The bass sounds great other than this, so I am wondering if just the top end of the bassbar has come loose.

Does this sound right? If so, is the only solution to have the top taken off and have the bassbar reglued, or can it be repaired without removing the top?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cody Sisk]

I can assure you with 99% certainty that it's not the bass bar. You probably have an open seam or a possible delamination that's causing the buzz. A loose bass bar will make more than just a slight buzz. Your bass top will sink or distort and you'll have maybe 2 seconds of sustain on all pitches.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Drape a string of Christmas lights through the FF holes and take a peek inside to be sure. If the bass bar appears to be in place, darken the room and look for light shining through the seams. Hopefully it's that easy to spot. Use hot hide glue.

 

[aaronallen]

I had a similar issue and it was indeed the bass bar coming loose. Luckily, it was possible to clamp the part that was loose without removing the top.

 

[Monkey]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going out of town for the weekend, but will try the Christmas lights suggestion when I get back. If I find that the bar is loose at the top, I'm not sure how I could get hide glue in there through the f-hole, but I'll check my
Traeger book and see if I find any ideas.

Thanks again!

 

[360guy]

For a quick check you could take a playing card ( 6 of clubs) and casually see if you can slip it into any suspicious seams.