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Double Bass Not sure what I found...

P

prgwm2

Jul 30, 2013
4
0
#1
Hello All,
I'm a new member here, but have read some of the topics on the site in the past and thought perhaps I might find some answers to my current questions. So here is what happened...I was doing a bit of wandering in an old barn, when I stumbled across an old Double Bass sitting in the corner covered in hay, bird droppings, and other assorted niceties. When I picked it up it and moved it about it did a very good job of falling apart aside from where the screws and nails were holding it together. I took it back to the owner of the barn and he told me it was mine if I wanted it.
So I brought it home and cleaned it up a bit, but have done little else to it aside from removing some screws and nails. There are no discernible markings on the interior or exterior. There are a number of cracks all over some that appear very serious, but I have no experience with this kind of stuff (I just play). There are numerous repairs...some old...some newer (again I just play). So what kind of DB did I find? Any use in restoring an instrument in this condition or is it beyond help?

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/prgwm2/slideshow/Bass Pics
 
#3
Hi.

Welcome to TalkBass prgwm2.

Anxiously waiting for the pics :).

While using the attachments has its undisputed benefits, the "best" way IMO is to upload the pics onto a pic hosting website and use the tags to attach 'em onto the post.
I use Photobucket, it used to be really user friendly, but nowadays that's just as hard to use as any other host.

Regards
Sam
 
#6
Hi.

Congrats, what a cool find, too bad we don't have many of those around over here.

Lots of work, and quite a bit of money out of Your pocket if you have to out-source, but given the amount of apparently professional repairs and the fact that the top is already off, not a bad project.


Regards
Sam
 
#10
And a very nice price point!

+1 on all the advice you've been given.

That bass was properly looked after at one point (I mean before being forgotten in a barn). The one area I'd wonder about is the neck/body join - better pics would help. In pic #10, I can't tell if the block is separating from the ribs, or if it's just debris where the top came off.

If you can take it to a luthier, they can provide an opinion about what has to be done.

Cheers,

Paul (Eh_train)
 
#12
Thanks for all the info...I will be turning it into a project for myself and have already been looking into the books you recommended...I will post pics as I go...any words of advice as I start?
 
#13
I definitely recommend replacing that integral bass bar. If you're using Treager as reference for your repairs, I think you should read this for a different perspective on bass bar springing.
http://www.jeffbollbach.com/JB%20II/luthier_rant3.htm

On bigger projects, I find it helpful to make a list of procedures. This will help you get an idea of scope and timeframe and will make the project seem a little less intimidating.
 

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