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Double Bass Repair quote reality check

P

pjman

Sep 22, 2008
7
0
72
Chicago
www.marketingguy.biz
#1
Hi;

I’ve received a quote to repair my 80+ year old carved Goltz and Mayne DB and am wondering if these estimates are high or average.

Rib cracks: $500 to open + the repairs
New fingerboard: $850
Adjustable bridge and installation: $350
Endpin $135. with aluminum hardware. $175 with brass and steel hardware.

There are other charges of course, but these are the highest costs.

Thoughts ?

Thanks.

pjman
 
#4
pjman said:
Hi;

I’ve received a quote to repair my 80+ year old carved Goltz and Mayne DB and am wondering if these estimates are high or average.

Rib cracks: $500 to open + the repairs
New fingerboard: $850
Adjustable bridge and installation: $350
Endpin $135. with aluminum hardware. $175 with brass and steel hardware.

There are other charges of course, but these are the highest costs.

pjman
Click to expand...

If you mean by "open", taking off and putting on the top, $500 is very reasonable. $850 for a fingerboard is also very reasonable (I assume that includes all dressing and set up to your specs. The other prices seem average for Chicago. Are you sure the ribs can't be repaired without removing the top? Might be worth a second opinion.
 
#6
Due to our MISSING and beloved Luthiers, I'd ask if you're very sure the bass has to be opened to fix the cracks.
There is a very simple and cheap technique for fixing a bass of this quality. Don't want to sound like Kenny, and this is not an insult to your bass. I've come across many of these throughout the years, and they are good basses. However, they are not Testore or Amati..( I love talkin' this **** )
If the cracks are of a really serious nature, you may have no choice.
Other than that, I have to agree with Jake...sounds fair. Shop around and ask if the ribs can be done from the outside.
This thread demonstrates the travesty in the loss of our wonderful Luthiers Corner.
Best of luck, man.
 
#8
PJ, some close-ups of the ribs etc would give us a better shot at a diagnosis but if they're shredded the repairs will be much better with full access for cleats, patches, clamps etc.

WARMBUTTONS, even lesser basses need to be opened up for repair/renewal now and again, just as lesser humans do! :D
 
#9
How about glueing the rib cracks from the outside and using linen strips as reinforcement? Maybe you're getting a price break because of the other work but $500 for top removal seems too cheap. I could see it if were talking about a public school instrument and the shop needs the work. If it's possible I say repair the rib cracks from the outside and wait to take the top off until you've got some other problems to take care care of, as long as the top is coming off anyway.
 
#15
Paul Warburton said:
Due to our MISSING and beloved Luthiers, I'd ask if you're very sure the bass has to be opened to fix the cracks. This thread demonstrates the travesty in the loss of our wonderful Luthiers Corner.
Best of luck, man.
Click to expand...


Hi Paul. I did not realize this forum ever had a luthier's corner. Are you sure about that? And if it had one, how would the moderators decide who is qualified to contribute? I for one am always happy to contribute helpful information on any subject except pricing. Nice to see you posting again!
 
#16
arnoldschnitzer said:
Hi Paul. I did not realize this forum ever had a luthier's corner. Are you sure about that? And if it had one, how would the moderators decide who is qualified to contribute? I for one am always happy to contribute helpful information on any subject except pricing. Nice to see you posting again!
Click to expand...

Arnold dear! You ARE right. I'm thinking of Kenny's site. The combination of alcohol, drugs, jazz and old age have taken a toll on my old brain: See my thread under: Miscellaneous...Sad state of affairs TBDB, if you haven't already, for further confusement smug:
I just had a sense of loss when I came back and didn't see much activity in terms of making, repairs, identifying, and set up. Some of our younger, less experienced players have a problem with knowing the difference between a headstock and a scroll, or a fretboard from a fingerboard.
I'm just throwing some **** out there to see if anybody grabs. As you know, the more knowledge of our instrument for these people, hopefully,would result in a ritcher and moe active forum.
With great respect, PW
 
#20
arnoldschnitzer said:
Hi Paul. I did not realize this forum ever had a luthier's corner. Are you sure about that? And if it had one, how would the moderators decide who is qualified to contribute? I for one am always happy to contribute helpful information on any subject except pricing. Nice to see you posting again!
Click to expand...

Sorry to jump into yer conversation, but I think it would be the bee's knees if we had a luthier's corner over here on the dark side like they have over in fudgestick land. Who's with me?:D
 

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