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Slapping a bevel fingerboard

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner [DB]' started by Jr_bass, Jun 28, 2020.

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  1. Jun 28, 2020 #1
    Jr_bass

    Jr_bass

    Jun 27, 2020
    Netherlands
    Hello there,

    I recently switched from my 3/4reghin(Hora) to a new 4/4strunal double bass. The strunal came new from Thomann, with a bevel fingerboard. My 3/4 reghin(Hora) had a round fingerboard.

    A luthier did some work on the bridge, the neck, fingerboard and installed a second soundpost. I play 60%pizz and 40%slap in a rock & roll band.

    But I still have some problems with slapping the E string, i grab with the top of my fingers on the ’bump' between the A and E string. Witch makes it a bit hard to play.

    Had some ever had experience with flatten the ’bump’ a bit? Just on the lower+/- 20cm of the fingerboard, so i could have a better grab at the E string? Could this work?

    Please help me with some opinions...
     
  2. Jun 28, 2020 #2
    Jr_bass

    Jr_bass

    Jun 27, 2020
    Netherlands
    IMG_20200627_142241__01.jpg
     
  3. Jun 28, 2020 #3
    dhergert

    dhergert Gold Supporting Member

    Jan 17, 2018
    Blue Zone, California
    It's sort of a shame to take a well done Romberg out, but I can see your point, you're already on the weak point of the slap stroke when you get to the E.

    The problem is that it's not a bump there, it's where wood was removed from the curve to produce the Romberg, so if you have just that area rounded it out, it's going to take wood away from the area near the A string.

    If it were me I'd first try a thicker E string to grab for, and/or raise the action on that side of the bridge. Personally I prefer thicker strings anyway, and the action does look pretty low for slap. If that didn't help, I'd try longer to learn to play with it, and if necessary wait until I could either get the whole fingerboard re-profiled, or get a completely new fingerboard.

    It would probably be ok with regular pizz and of course arco, but with slap it gets a little cranky.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2020
  4. Jun 28, 2020 #4
    Jr_bass

    Jr_bass

    Jun 27, 2020
    Netherlands
    There is an adjustable bridge on the bass..... I already played a bit with the height of the strings.
    But this works for me.

    I was always happy with the Pirastro Evah slap set. So if i am honest i don't want to change anything with strings anymore. (Been there, done that)

    Maybe give the strings a bit time to settle down. Or try to change my slap style a bit.

    For pizzicato the romberg is fine, don't notice it at all!
     
    tornadobass and dhergert like this.
  5. Jun 28, 2020 #5
    KUNGfuSHERIFF

    KUNGfuSHERIFF

    Feb 8, 2002
    Upstate NY
    That’s low action for modern jazz, let alone slap.
     
    Sam_Brown1, AGCurry and dhergert like this.
  6. Jun 1, 2021 #6
    AlBass

    AlBass

    Aug 19, 2018
    UK
    Did you get on top of this on the end? Interested because I have a similar situation. I'm a newbie so don't have any other experience. I have one bass, and it's a Strunal with the bevel