Double Bass Repair Rib Crack without taking the top off?

[threetone]

Hi there,

My trusty carved bass has gotten damaged in the lower rib section.
Is it possible to repair it without taking the top off?

My luthier say no, but maybe someone here has seen it done through the F hole?

thanks for the insight!

 

[csrund]

I just had a nasty group of C-bout cracks repaired by my local luthier. He fished linen through the f-hole and did a very tidy fix without pulling the top.

See this thread: S.O.S. luthiers! Damage prognosis...

It might be trickier to reach the lower bout, but I wouldn't think it would be completely impossible. Probably worth taking a shot at it. Disclaimer: I'm not a luthier, nor do I play one on TV.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

?? I guess it depends on what kind of repair. I've had cracks like that repaired with linen with the top on, I don't know if you can do cleats with the top on. Where are you?

 

[Eric Hochberg]

If the crack won't go together cleanly because one side the rib was pushed to a different height and it can't be finagled back into position, that may require top off. I've been living with a crack like this for years, and it is stable. My luthier advised waiting for another top off repair to fix it.

I've had rib crack repairs top on, so yes, it can be done in some cases.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

If nothing else, you should stabilize it (like RIGHT NOW) before that crack travels down the lower bout.

A small amount of thin HHG knifed into the crack will give you time to ask questions and think about the answers.

 

[Maple]

I have something like that at the end pin block that I'm keeping an eye on and will need to repair shortly.

The Chuck Trager book says to take the tension off the top and see if the crack goes back together first. If so, you can drizzle a runny mix of hyde glue into the crack. It also says that vibration from playing the instrument will wear down the mating surfaces over time -- resulting in a poorer fit.

 

[threetone]

Thanks for the reply guys, great info.

 

[lurk]

If you're near NYC take it to David Gage. His shop is often able to fix rib cracks and even some top cracks with the top on.

 

[robobass]

Some luthiers use thin wire to pull the crack together and attach a cleat. Some are using magnets. I couldn't get the image link to open so I don't know how bad it is, but I think that most bass specialists do this. Often the repair won't be as optically perfect as if you remove the top, so it becomes a trade off. How precious is the instrument and how bad will you feel about a scar, vs. how much money you want to spend?

 

[pmad_bass]

I attended a clinic led by Jon Ham a while back. He had a simple but very elegant tool that he built, that if I recall correctly was a small block of wood with a narrow hole drilled thru it. On one side (the side that would sit on the top of the bass) there was felt and on the other there was a guitar tuning peg mounted. This would allow him to thread a hi E guitar string thru the crack, fish out one end thru the F hole so that a cleat with glue could be attached. He could then pull the guitar string until the cleat was seated and then use the guitar tuner to bring the string/cleat to tension while the glue set. Later the string would be removed and viola! Pun intended.

 

[dperrott]

Its the winter and yes rib cracks happen. They often close up pretty well when the string tension is relived. Linen is fine to repair it. Most rib cracks are pretty easy to get to. I do not like the cleat on the string thing. It will fail and can easily buzz, and make an ugly mess. Of course you can take the top of to repair but linen can work fine.

 

[RSBBass]

It depends on the nature of the crack. If you don't trust your repair person, find another and get a second opinion.