Double Bass Rudimentary, self bass work

[MrPeel]

Hi guys,

Aside from strings (I just posted in strings), I want to do some minor work on my bass. First off, the tailgut appears to be a piece of bent wire... Almost looks like a bloody coat hanger... So I want to replace it; I also am thinking about changing the end pin to a carbon fibre pin and potentially the tail piece.

Are these things best left to the skilled hands of a luthier or is it something I should be able to pull off? I want to get my bass in to a luthier soon for a seasonal checkup, but if I can spare a few bucks with some diy then that'd amazing.

Thanks for your thoughts

Cheers

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

First of all, I think that everyone should be able and wlling to perform at least basic maintenance and repairs on their instrument(s).


That out of the way. a few questions if You don't mind.

What do You have there?
The coat hanger suggests something more DIY friendly, but the DIY spirit of past owners of various items including instruments never ceases to amaze .

Valuable instruments are IMHO not the best of candidates for learning, CCB's and other BSO's OTOH are.

Are You comfortable with working on your bass?
IOW, is the fear of doing more damage than good always at the back of your mind?

While I view DB maintenance just as easy as any other maintenance I'm familiar with, there's plenty of mistake possibilities especially in anything related with the soundpost/bridge.

Regards
Sam

 

[Matthew Tucker]

Changing a tailpiece and wire sound easy, and can be, but it can also be tricky. What if your strings don't fit in the new tailpiece slots? What if the tailgut stretches more than you'd anticipated (assuming a synthetic replacement).

But if you're considering a braided steel cable, you'll need joiners or a swaging tool.

If you are changing a tailpiece, what if the old endpin is stuck in there? Do you have the tools to extract it without damaging the bass? what if the hole is too small for your new endpin? Do you have a reamer? It's an easy job if you have a reamer. But I bet you don't! What if the hole is too big? Do you know how to bush, redrill and ream a new hole? What if the saddle falls off and rolls under the dresser and you can't find it?

All straightforward and quick if you have the right tools and knowledge. potential source of curses if you don't.

just saying.

 

[Mark Carlsen]

Changing a tailpiece and wire sound easy, and can be, but it can also be tricky. What if your strings don't fit in the new tailpiece slots? What if the tailgut stretches more than you'd anticipated (assuming a synthetic replacement).

But if you're considering a braided steel cable, you'll need joiners or a swaging tool.

If you are changing a tailpiece, what if the old endpin is stuck in there? Do you have the tools to extract it without damaging the bass? what if the hole is too small for your new endpin? Do you have a reamer? It's an easy job if you have a reamer. But I bet you don't! What if the hole is too big? Do you know how to bush, redrill and ream a new hole? What if the saddle falls off and rolls under the dresser and you can't find it?

All straightforward and quick if you have the right tools and knowledge. potential source of curses if you don't.

just saying.

Great post.....

 

[Huy Nguyen]

I've fiddled with a velvet nylon cord and learned how to tie a carrick knot for a tailcord. Even that was a big pain in the ass after I screwed up it initial a couple times - too long and then the knot would stretch. exact as MT ponits out. I've screwed with the endpin and replaced one myself without needing a reamer (I got lucky).

Really, I'd much rather pay someone to do it right the first time around than second guess what I did on my beloved instrument. Maybe if I was cash strapped, but if it was by choice, no thanks.

 

[MrPeel]

I gotta say I agree with all of you guys!
some insightful posts.

To answer the first post; I'm comfortable working on instruments, I've been fiddling with them a good chunk of my life. That being said, my bass is easily my most valuable instrument. It's a fully carved old German shop bass... so yes, that fear off a mess up will be there!
Leading to the second: I have no tools or even the most basic understanding of how do that type of work hahaha. I was also absolutely useless in shop class, so I think I'll stick with my luthier!
Thank you all again... definitely some good insights here
On the bright side... I'll keep my luthier in business!