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Double Bass soundpost crack in the top

R

René R

Aug 17, 2005
9
0
#1
I had a look at a fully carved bass that is for sale. It was a nice instrument wich I realy liked. While taking a good inspection I noticed there is a crack right above the soundpost in the top. It is about 10 cm long. It seems to be repaired some time, glued together as far as I can see. The crack is not open and the top at that area isn't higher. (hope you understand what I mean!) Is there a big problem here?
 
#2
Thanks Ken for the reply. The top was not pushed up, at least not that I saw that moment. So an inlaid sounpostpatch would be possible in your opinion. I found a discussion on the net in which people thought that was not a good idea, soundwise I think to renember.

The age and who's the maker of the bass is a bit dubiuos. there are two labels inside but they don't tell much I think. One says it's from the collection of Johan Stüber 1962. He was a violin builder from The Hague here in Holland. But from the collection will probably mean he sold it once and didn't build it himself. Then there is a label telling Violaline Georges Contel Paris Annee 1901. A violaline is a mixture of a violin and a mandoline, which indeed is invented by Georges Contel. This bass dates for pretty sure not from 1901. But it is a real nice bass well build from nice wood. The sound is ok too.

Here are some pics (wich don't tell to much)

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http://muziek.marktplaats.nl/strijkinstrumenten/57123189-te-koop-contrabas.html?img=3#photo
 
#3
René R said:
So an inlaid sounpostpatch would be possible in your opinion. I found a discussion on the net in which people thought that was not a good idea, soundwise I think to renember.
Click to expand...

An inlaid soundpost patch is the best way to repair a post crack in the top. When done correctly, there is no effect on tone. When done poorly, it can have a detrimental effect. I think Ken is right about the bass' age and origin.
 
#4
Ok, this is a modern post WWII commercial German Bass. I would like to see the back, the ribs and the crack area all better pics to go further if at all possible but from what I see and what you tell me, I think we are on track.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for giving information about origin and date. Could you tell me what tells you that it's post war german? I might go to see that bass again and I could take some pictures.

An inlaid soundpost patch is the best way to repair a post crack in the top. When done correctly, there is no effect on tone. When done poorly, it can have a detrimental effect. I think Ken is right about the bass' age and origin.
Click to expand...

And thank you for your information. I don't even know if there already is a patch in there. I was thinking of taking a little mirror with me but I forgot. Would a patch like that be glued to the top? I guess it would be. And if so: is that done without taking the top of?
 

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