Double Bass Soundpost fell help

[Sam Dingle]

Bought new bass for a camp. Slacked the strings slightly and the soundpost fell. Its now lying without the bridge on so theres no pressure on the top and the soundpost is rolling around the bass.

What do I do. Can I figure out how to put it back up without one of those tools? Adviced needed. No luithers near.

 

[Mgaisbacher]

I would say buy a soundpost setter tool, there’s a few places that sell them for around $50. Good to know how to set a soundpost!

 

[unbrokenchain]

Put some tape over the f-hole edges to protect the finish, then get a wire coat hanger and another object (I use a bicycle pedal wrench) and insert them both (carefully, don't drop). It was a real PITA the first few times for me but not that big a deal now. Get the top of the post to where you fingers can just hold it sticking your hand in the f-hole palm-facing bridge. I use my index and middle fingers to hold the top of the post and knock the bottom into place with the pedal wrench. There's usually a mark that indicates treble side of post. You can use a tiny mirror to see how flush the top of post is w/ top of bass.

You will also likely need to put the bridge on the bass and add a tiny bit of string tension before doing the above to get it to stay put.

 

[unbrokenchain]

how to set a soundpost

 

[Stewie]

Just curious, How common is it for the post to fall? I dumped the bridge on my first bass and was pleased the the post stayed put.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I always lay the bass on its back when I drop the tension of the strings (to swap the bridge, readjust the saddle height or similar stuff). I think I have made that at least ten times since I got the instrument. The soundpost always stayed in place.
But this is in Europe...

 

[Steven Ayres]

Plan on dropping it at least a couple times trying to get the post in, and often the most maddening part is fishing it out again. Get some light string and tie it to the middle of the post when you get it out the first time. Use a bow knot or similar with a long free tail so you can undo the knot once the post is in place.

Depending on the tools you have at hand, once you have the post touching both top and back on its own you may find it simplifies things to tip the bass up on the treble side, so gravity can assist while you fine-tune it.

 

[John Chambliss]

Automobile grabber tool at auto parts stores work as well. Some have lights on the grabber end that really helps. They are flexible also.

Here’s one at Lowe’s

Invalid Link Removed

 

[craigie]

Define near. I took my bass to a luthier who set it for me in a few minutes, looked the bass over, and hardly charged me. Was a 45 minute or so drive each way. I’m sure it would have taken me more than 1.5 hours and a lot of cursing to set it. A 2 or 3 hour drive probably saves you time in the long run.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

The grabber is what I use. It may have cost $3 on eBay.

 

[John Chambliss]

Something you need to learn how to do. I have string attached to the middle of my sound post and always carry the automotive grabber tool with me.

 

[GretschWretch]

I have used the grabber, but my preference now is the first time I have to fish the wretched dropped post out of the bass I adhese a small (as in very small) metal washer to the center of the post. If it drops again, I use a magnetic grabber to remove it from the bass. Beats holding the bass up over my head and trying to shake the soundpost out.

As regards getting the post back in place, with all the tapping and subtle repositioning involved, I find a small leather mallet, a paint stirring stick from the hardware store, and a long-handled weiner-roasting fork to be cheaper, easier to use, and equally effective to the orthodox but pricey standard soundpost setting tools.

 

[Sam Dingle]

i got it in place and it looks ok. I'll have a professional do it again at somepoint but this will work for the coming month.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

If you put the longer/higher side of the post towards the middle of the top (horizontally) it should work.
Is there a luthier on the way to the camp or close to the camp. Since it just takes a few minutes for a luthier to set the soundpost that should be possible at any time.

 

[bengreen]

What & where's your camp?

 

[Sam Dingle]

What & where's your camp?

Its the litchfield jazz camp in washington CT. there may be a luithier in the area i just heard about. If I am free later today i'll look it up.

 

[unbrokenchain]

Of course there are other ways of accessing the post too...


Curious your method of success @Sam Dingle what tools did you use?

 

[Sam Dingle]

Of course there are other ways of accessing the post too...
View attachment 3458380

Curious your method of success @Sam Dingle what tools did you use?

My fingers to shove it in the F hole and posittion the bar to the back of the bass. Then my fingers to move the soundpost across the top of the bass till i coudnl't move it anymore. Looks pretty good.

 

[GretschWretch]

My fingers to shove it in the F hole and posittion the bar to the back of the bass. Then my fingers to move the soundpost across the top of the bass till i coudnl't move it anymore. Looks pretty good.

My method too to begin the process, but my fingers are far too short to complete it.

 

[Stewie]

i can't get my fingers in the f hole past the first knuckle. I want to shorten my bridge by about an eighth of an inch. The adjusters don't do me any good if the strings are too high. I guess I'll bring it to a luthier. I did all my own work on my first bass, but I kinda like the new one.