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My bass was killed. Mourning.

#21
I have two cats myself--one is old and not into running around anymore, but the other's kind of a spaz... however, I'm a klutz, so I pose much more of a threat to my equipment than my cats do! ^^; I've knocked my electric over so many times that it's a miracle I haven't broken the damn thing yet.

And I get the feeling that I've just jinxed it, and the next piece of dust that lands on my acoustic (my primary bass) will knock it over and destroy it irreparably.
 
#22
Sijjvra said:
Wish I could but we literally can't right now until we have a few other things paid off. I can't eat nothing but Ramens either, I need to eat healthy because (ohgoshnoTMI) I'm nursing a baby. Junk in = junk out, which she doesn't need. I'll deal, just sort of a major bummer. Eventually I'll get another one. Priorities first, and all.
Click to expand...

Been there, done that. But my solution was simply to FIX the broken instrument! In my case it was my resonator guitar. And it wasn't the cats, it was ME that knocked it over. Nobody to kick. Snapped the neck right off of it!

The Answer: Gorilla Glue + lots of clamps. Usually when the wood breaks it does so in a way where with some effort you can fit the pieces back together almost perfectly. If you can, then Gorilla Glue is the answer. It makes a joint stronger than the original wood. My glued resonator guitar is still going strong after several years. I've also fixed a couple of smashed drums the same way.

So don't give up. Take the broken bass apart and see if the broken pieces can fit back together reasonably well. (I"m betting they will) Then figure out how to clamp them tightly in that position. You may have to go to a place like Harbor Freight to buy some clamps. Or even better if this kind of thing scares you, there are always friends, relatives, neighbors or SOMEONE you know who is sort of into wood working that has a bunch of clamps and can help you figure out how to clamp it all. That would be best.

At that point you smear it all with Gorilla Glue, clamp it down and let it set up for a couple days. Scrape off the excess glue and put the bass all back together. You'll have to adjust things and set it up but hey is this an education project or what? And best of all this education is virtually FREE. Hey. if your glue job looks like crap, it's just bass "mojo" so long as it still plays. But I tell you, it isn't all that hard to make the repairs look good, especially if the broken pieces fit back together well.

Worked for me. I'm sure there are guys here or in the Luthier's forum that will be happy to give you advice if you ask and post some pictures of the damage.

I prefer Gorilla Glue for fixes like this because it "expands" to fill voids when wood pieces don't fit perfectly, because it takes no careful mixing to work right like epoxy, and because it's very strong and in this case unlike many instrument gluings where you may want to take it apart later, in this case you NEVER want to take it apart again.

Good luck.
 
#29
It's an opportunity to learn repair. If it's truly busted beyond hope, then there isn't anything you can do to break it more. Use Titebond III. I can't tell you how many of what clamps you need without a pic, or what clamping strategy you'll need to approach it with, but I can tell you that it is rare that something that seems so catastrophic really isn't repairable even for super-cheap.

I've been broke when I've come across a messed up bass or two. If the pieces still fit together, you can still fix it!
 
#31
Sijjvra said:
I sold my 5 string bass earlier this month - strapped for cash, it was too heavy after a back injury anyway... sucks but it is what it is. Still had my old Ibanez SR300 4 banger to mess around on (it was a 90s model and pretty well made, if pretty scuffed up from me having it for so long and using it as a beater bass).

Aaaaand then the cats were chasing each other around and knocked the bass over (it was in its stand). Broke at the neck joint. Junk. Now I've got nothing to play on and no money for a new one for at least several months. I'm pretty bummed. Sucky day. :scowl: Anyone want a couple of cats?
Click to expand...

got to Invalid Link Removed they have a great pay as you play program...if your breathing and have income you usually qualify
 
#32
If I had the space and tools for repair I might have tried just to try, but alas ... do not. No clamps and no space to really set it up to work on it. As it was, I put it out by the dumpster with a big "free" sign next to it, maybe some kid will try to fix it up.

I can describe the break... right at the neck joint was split about 5 inches. The neck was just wobbling around in there and also had a bit of a crack in it from impact...about 2-3 inches right up the middle (from one of the bolts getting wrenched, I think? I dunno). I think it must have smacked the side of my amp on the way down and hit head-stock first (best I can figure for such a break). Guess I should have taken photos first, but eh. I was pissed enough and bummed enough at the time I didn't even want to look at the mess.

Well, the good news is it was only a beater bass and probably worth about nothing anyway - I really used and abused that thing over the past decade and a half. Needed new pups, was all dented and scratched, stickers all over it... no great loss except I'm bassless for a while :p that's the suck part. Bad news is it just feeds my GAS more. I dunno, I may try to pull some strings and get myself a new one for Christmas.

Until then, the husband has a friend that might have an extra bass or two I can borrow just to tool around on. :cool:
 
#34
Having a really tough go of it right now, but after reading the op I feel better. I still have 3 basses to play.

Sorry to the op. I can throw down a few duckets through pay pal or something. If a few others can do the same she can get a beater from GC for less than 100 bucks. Anyone? I'm out of town fishing till Monday.
 
#36
Well I went to see if it was still at the dumpster (our park has a community dumpster about 1/4 down the road) no go. It's gone :hmm: I probably should have just bit my tongue and waited until the initial pissed-off phase had passed before doing that, but I will just hope some kid took it to fix up and make their own.

As for paypal donations - nah it's ok guys :) I appreciate the person who thought of the gesture, but I can probably borrow a bass for now and eventually I will have another. Just a rough time in life, financially - we all go through it (well, most of us). My band is on hiatus for a bit anyway as our drummer also has two young tykes ( 2.5 years and 1.5 years) and is working a lot to make ends meet as well. I suspect once the kids are just a wee bit older and can play outside in the yard together while we practice, we'll be doing more playing...by then I'll have another bass for sure.

Live and learn - do not leave bass guitar on stand in the house with crazy cats. Also, do not have a "f@ck it" moment and toss it out of anger and frustration before checking on Talkbass to see if it can be fixed :smug:
 
#37
when in a tight spot, try shopgoodwill.com and only look at ones you can drive to and save shipping costs, but not too far because - fuel cost. you can find cheap beaters to tide you over until that special moment that you find the right one.
 
#38
Just teach your cats how to play the bass and they will be much more careful :bassist:

Bassplayingcat_zps535e5c8a.jpg
 
#40
my 18 month old is pretty good with my bass. i usually have one leaning against my desk in our living room. sometimes when i play, he "helps". it's really cute.

so sorry to hear about your bass! be mindful of cabinets and other breakables as your little one gets more mobile. also, dvd's. they're a nightmare to clean up several times a day.
 

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