• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Double Bass Neck Alignment

mandocaster

mandocaster

Dec 24, 2004
211
37
69
Houston, TX
www.the-churn.com
#1
At some point in its longish life, my carved Mittenwald shop bass was glued together with the neck somewhat out of alignment. You can see that the bridge has been shifted to the left to compensate for the alignment issue, but it still looks pretty funky. The G string is not falling off the fretboard, but it is very close to the edge. Has anyone else dealt with a similar issue? Do you think it is worth repairing?

image_zps7cb7d719.jpg
 
#2
It's hard to say if this would work without seeing it, but a good solution might be to have a new fingerboard installed that's been cheated to point straight between the f-holes. That is assuming that the neck is well set and properly fitted. It might be better to remove and reset the neck properly. Both options will require a new bridge. I believe your bass will sound and play better having this problem addressed.
 
#3
Adjusting the height of the bridge legs (in this case, shortening the E leg) can also center the strings and bridge. This may require a new bridge. When fitting a new bridge, I will center the bridge between the ff holes and sight down the fingerboard to see check for symmetry of the bridge. If there is more bridge showing on the E side, I will remove a bit of that leg when fitting the adjusters.
 
#4
That's a big misalignment, enough that its probably hurting the tone production of the instrument and maybe its physical well-being, too.

Removing and re-setting the neck would equalize the string tension on the neck and allow the ribs to relax a bit. You might then need a new bridge but you'd be set for a good long while afterwards.
 
#5
Jake deVilliers said:
That's a big misalignment, enough that its probably hurting the tone production of the instrument and maybe its physical well-being, too.

Removing and re-setting the neck would equalize the string tension on the neck and allow the ribs to relax a bit. You might then need a new bridge but you'd be set for a good long while afterwards.
Click to expand...
Right on. Also, you are actually playing the strings way off the center line of the bass and may be causing yourself bad habits and/or physical pain.
 
#7
When I got home I took a closer look at the ribs. This one is kind of sunken. There is a lousy repair where someone kind of gobbed glue along the back seam. The seam is open for a couple of inches. Can it be pushed back into shape or can the neck be reset straight the way it is? It was kind of hard to capture it in a photo.

image_zpsd1927591.jpg
 
#8
mandocaster said:
When I got home I took a closer look at the ribs. This one is kind of sunken. There is a lousy repair where someone kind of gobbed glue along the back seam. The seam is open for a couple of inches. Can it be pushed back into shape or can the neck be reset straight the way it is? It was kind of hard to capture it in a photo.

image_zpsd1927591.jpg
Click to expand...
I can't see what you're talking about in that photo...
 
#10
On the other side of the neck, the rib is almost flush with the back. On the photo side the rib (actually the lining) has a section that is sunk about 3/8" from the edge of the back. The seam is open from the button down about 3". There is a weirdness to the neck joint but it seems to be solid. I feel kind of goofy about posting the picture now. It's hard to see and it's kind of a frankenstein bass, anyway.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back