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Double Bass Newbie Question: My fingerboard fell off

wallypip

wallypip

Apr 9, 2010
54
69
#1
Hi everyone. I did a search and checked the newbie links and didn't find an answer for this. About six months ago, I bought a no-name used upright--it literally has no markings on it as far as brand. I did the whole "let me try a cheap one and then move up if it looks like I'm going to play a lot" thing that everyone seems to discourage. $500 for the bass, stand, Fishman BP-100, and bag. Anyway, I love playing it and have played it on stage a few times now. Believe it or not, it sounds and plays pretty good (two experienced players agree that it's in the "much better than expected" range). I was planning to take it to a luthier and get a better setup or possibly trade up advice pretty soon.

So last night I played a gig and the bass was fine. I went to put it in my car at the end of the night and the bridge popped off. That's not a big deal, but then the fingerboard slid off as though it were being held in place by the same string tension. I know that can't be the case; I'm just describing what happened. I didn't hit it on anything either.

Since I was going to take it to a luthier anyway, my first instinct is to bundle it all up a take it to the pro as-is. It's just going to be some time before I can do that. The thing I'm disturbed by is that the instrument seemed to fall completely apart at one time. Is it possible that the bridge popping off and the fingerboard falling off are somehow connected? Should I just be happy that my beater bass made it through the gig and chalk this up to getting what I paid for? Would I be completely stupid to glue the fingerboard back on myself and start looking for a higher quality bass? I don't want to start pouring money into it.
 
#2
That's really strange... I personally wouldn't glue the FB back on myself for fear of damaging the instrument even more, but if you must, use the right glue (granular hide glue, make sure you buy it in its dried form and follow instructions from there) and clamp it for at least 24 hours. Not sure how that bridge popped off... maybe the shape of the bridge feet have not been matched the curve of the belly so it was more prone to coming off? The bridge of my previous DB (very cheap... as cheap as they get) was like this.

My current DB is like yours in the sense that is a cheapie no-brand bass... however I spared no expense in getting it set up well, got a new bridge for it (the previous owner hacked up the original bridge while performing his own "setup") and it really holds its own now, has never given me any trouble whatsoever.

If you feel very confident in your skills, glue the fingerboard on yourself. Otherwise, I suggest you let your luthier take care of it. A solid setup and a good bridge (or at least making sure the bridge feet are shaped to fit your bass) will go a long way IMO
 
#3
That the bridge "popped off" is a red flag for me. The bridge should not move unless you strike it quite hard or if the strings all break :). My advice is to not throw much money at all into that bass if, indeed, it is merely a BSO (bass-shaped object). You bought it used so no telling what you have. Assuming it's a BSO, perhaps get it patched up, be happy with the enjoyment you got, and move on to something better, assuming you can afford it.
 
#4
Are you anywhere near a bass repairer? It wouldn't cost much, if anything, to have someone look at it and tell you where you stand. Gluing the board back on isn't a huge deal if that's all you need, but shouldn't be your first home bass repair. Take it to someone for an opinion!
 
#5
This is a picture I had texted to me while on vacation last year while I had someone babysitting the evil culprit looking all innocent in the left of the pic. I haven't had mine professionally repaired yet, as I don't play it - but I put it back in place with just enough wood glue to hold it there. Will most likely get it professionally done should I ever decide to start using it, or sell it. Plugged in here for future reference, and to share woe.

6bb49e4a766dac81ff3c16f14aba044a_zps75b735f8.jpg
 
#6
Thanks for the responses. I have gotten a recommendation for a good, honest repair/setup guy. I feel your pain Joe. I have cats, kids and a drunk lead singer. Fortunately none of them have knocked over my bass yet, but they try all the time.
 
#7
The old BSO I started on has a lot of gorilla glue now. Don't sink money into it, start saving for an upgrade. It was like night and day for me just to move to a plywood Kay. Volume, tone, playability. Don't be afraid to fix it yourself and put the couple hundred you save in a fund.

Edit: Don't use gorilla glue. Just recommending saving for a better instrument.
 
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#10
I took it to the guy last night. He has determined that my bridge is warped, but he can believes he can fix it. We talked for a while about my playing style and how much I was willing to put into it and he is going to do some set up work on it too. I'm feeling pretty good about giving it to a pro now. I'll report back when I get the instrument and the bill.
 

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