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Double Bass The Traeger Bass Book Is Here

#81
I heard it was a book about tweaking basses, not selling them. To that end, I want to know if there is useful or interesting ideas that would be of interest to the bass player or maker - something beyond the debates of a0/b0 or fingerboard stuff, or even about what constitutes a quality bass. I'd read it on here if it popped up, from any of the luthiers I hold in high regard. Heck, its better on here because it can be discussed in detail.

I like Jeff's page because he rants about things related to bass construction - thats interesting to read, for me. This is someone with a long established career writing about bass stuff.

Keith Bearden is a literal crook. He's in Jail, and I wouldn't ever consider dealing an instrument through him. But if Keith Bearden wrote a book on Bowmaking, I would be curious to see what the book could offer.

Lets keep it to the ideas in the book and the subject of whether or not this work was successful in his own practice.
 
#82
Silversorcerer said:
In fact, my own feeling is that many good luthiers probably get this relation very close to matching the same way an experienced engine mechanic can set the dwell angle on a distributer and the spark timing by ear and feel without the meters. My grandfather could do this on anything from a 2-stroke mower to a V-8 and deisels also and never saw a timing light.
Arnold, if you want to borrow the book, I have ordered one and I will be glad to ship it up to you with return shipping when I have finished reading it. :)
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Your statement above is right on the money. I accept and appreciate your offer to check out the book.
 
#83
This is an interesting thread and I have had the book for a week and a half now.
I think we all have our opinions and should be able to state them here,but as Chris said keep the comments about the subject of the thread,The Traeger Book.I know some of my worthy Luthier Buddies have their feelings on this AO/BO thing and thats cool.Ken had a bad experience w. Traeger in person and that wasn't so cool, but I guess my point is it's a one of a kind book and should be accepted by the Bass Community for what it is whether you agree w. some of it, or all of it, or none of it.I think it's a great addition to a almost empty source on the subject.
 
#84
KSB - Ken Smith said:
Ken, sounds like you are trying to convert me. Also, I missed the comment about Merchant being involved.

.....
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I am, ...You are a bass FANATIC.. you probably talk bass in your sleep...buy the book, read it and if you don't want to keep it, I will fix one of your old Italian bases free of charge (can I use toothpicks???).

Yes Merchant has a chapter on Preserving the Scroll With A C Extension. Several chapters are written by David Brownell From Ann Arbor Michigan.
 
#85
Lotsa big, strong handles on that grudge...

A very few people have assembled large bodies of information for the benefit of double bass lovers- Raymond Elgar, John Goldsby, Bob Gollihur, Peter Chandler, now Charles Traeger. Personally, I'm grateful to all of them for having spent the time and energy. I will continue to learn everything I can related to the instrument, from whatever source is available. And I don't mind expressing my gratitude with a little something from my wallet. I eagerly await the arrival of my copy of Traeger's book. Even if I never work on an instrument myself, it will at least make me a more 'educated consumer' when I visit my luthier.

Once again, nice referee job there, Chris.
 
#86
nicklloyd said:
Admittedly, sometimes it is difficult to be honest without coming across negative. Criticism should be tolerated, and with some manners.
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KSB - Ken Smith said:
When you Play Bass Professionally and own Basses that cost as much as a Car, you would expect some Professionalism from a Repaiman. The same respect as when I trusted him with my Bass.

If I was a beginner or Amatuer with a Cheap Chinese Bass or Plywood Bass, I would probably not know enough to be upset but this was not the case at all.
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Yesterday I got a little ticked off at Ken Smith and showed some disrespect for his experience and venerability. As always, I regret any unpleasantness.

In the first quote above, I interpret Nick's request for manners as being directed at me. I agree, criticism is excellent and manners are necessary.

As regards the second quote, it's Ken's closing sentence that set me off. His post is a direct response to my question to him. I interpret the sentence as being an insult directed to me, an amateur who owns a Chinese bass. A fair reading of the thread will show that things were quite mannerful until that little bit of illogical elitist spluttering came out.

Reasoned debate is welcome. Ad hominem blather isn't.
 
#88
That's why I raise the matter again today. A chance to clarify and clear the air. If I'm wrong about my interpretation of that remark - the only thing that got my dander up - I have no problem apologizing. None whatsoever.

I might be wrong, but I have no idea why the remark about amateurs and Chinese basses is there if it isn't intended to offend. I don't understand it otherwise.
 
#89
Ken, it wouldn't be the first time that two people misinterpreted each other in an internet forum. Very very easy to do, happens all the time. It's always regrettable.

It's certainly true you were an active Big Apple pro when I was taking my first guitar lessons as a lad. I have a great deal of respect for experience and I don't like showing disrespect for anyone's experience. I certainly didn't like consciously doing so yesterday. What can I say? I was insulted and I'm not very passive when I'm in that condition.

I flipped into that mode when I mistakenly (it seems) interpreted your remark as being a dig against my own (semi-)amateurism and owning of a Chinese Bass. A mistake I regret.

You mention that your comment was made in reaction to a slight against your experience. I guess that can only have been my direct question to you in my previous post. You had asked for comment, after all, about your original Traeger comment. No-one offered any so in passing I tossed in my honest thoughts, which I assure you were not offered with any disrespect intended.

I only wanted to talk about the book and stuff about the book. From the sounds of it, I certainly won't be taking my bass to Traeger for work. Based on your experience, Ken, there's a chance of falling victim to a hustle or simple incompetence. My copy of the book, though, has been in the mail for about 10 days now and I sincerely hope the information contained therein is not marred by either of those problems.
 
#90
KSB - Ken Smith said:
... Maybe if Chuck has the Ba__s (and he's still around), he will come up here to answer and explain. I don't think he is above anyone to go public and be Human for a Day... Do you?
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Ba__s?
At the risk of fanning the flames here, my life experience has taught me that there's usually three sides to a story:
-Side A
-Side B
-The Facts
...and the facts usually fall somewhere between Side A and Side B. And the facts can become fuzzy with the passage of time.

I wasn't party to the exchange between Ken Smith and Charles Traeger so I'm not in a position to comment on it. I'm not bashing either of them here. What I'm saying is if Mr. Traeger remembers the incident at all, he may remember it very differently than Ken does. Perspectives and memories can change a lot in 30+ years.

I bought the book. Some won't. Whatever.
 
#91
KSB - Ken Smith said:
Maybe if Chuck has the Ba__s (and he's still around), he will come up here to answer and explain. I don't think he is above anyone to go public and be Human for a Day... Do you?
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Why don't you just call him? Is your definition of "Being Human" trashing someone who isn't around in a public forum? It isn't mine.

I don't know how else to say it: This is a thread about Traeger's Bass book, not a thread about a 30-year old beef you have with the author. I don't care who's right, I don't care if he's the best luthier on earth, the worst, or somewhere in between. This is not an appropriate place to assail Traeger's character. Please refrain from doing so further in this or any thread.
 
#93
iPlay15151515 said:
Does Traeger's book go into fingerboard removal / replacement techniques/tools and fingerboard profiles?
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Yes, it does. The book has good coverage on general repairs/alterations. I have not read all of the book yet, but pp. 96-110 are fingerboard specific. There are neck/fingerboard cross section drawings, and a photo of a few tools that Traeger uses for fingerboard dressing, others are referred to in the text.
 
#94
I may be a little late for the bus as I just received a few excerpts from the book from a kind client of mine. It's true this type of book is not in existence FOR BASS but it MUST be taken with a grain of salt...or a few. Here is a LITTLE I would like to quote:

"
Bridge

We now arrive at the bridge. Let us assume that the bridge is correctly made in all details. However, if it is more than ten years old it should be replaced because the wood has dried out and become hard and brittle, and will not vibrate as well as a younger, more flexible piece of wood.

"

***....this is ABSURD!!!!!! How is this book being accepted??? So the bridge is correct in all details but it's old so we are going to replace it???? Should we do this to the neck, ribs, back, etc.....do we need a new fresh bass bar every 10 years???? WHAT WHAT WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later is written:
"
The legs of the bridge should be as long as possible and the top of the bridge as short as possible, proportioned much like a cello bridge. This will help the bridge vibrate more easily.
"
So he wants a Belgium bass bridge?????? Talk about nasal.

Man.............Bill, your name is on this?? Your bridges don't look like that??? And 4 Genies????

Arnold did you get that copy yet.....have you read this stuff??

Look at the pic on pg. 34 and how about the front cover...the cleats....
 
#96
uptonbass said:
"


Arnold did you get that copy yet.....have you read this stuff??
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I've seen the book. I think it was a tremendous undertaking. I credit Mr. Traeger for all the work involved and for having the b-lls to put himself in the spotlight like he has. I think there is some good advice and some not-so-good in the book. I worry that budding bass "luthiers" will mistake this book as the "bible" of bass repair.

Nnick--was that 20% political?
 
#100
arnoldschnitzer said:
I worry that budding bass "luthiers" will mistake this book as the "bible" of bass repair.
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Arnold, you are truly a gentleman.....

Budding luthiers and more so bass players who may not have the guidance they need and rely on the book like you said as a "bible" Trying to learn all they can before they buy/repair etc. How can we expect someone learning to be able to pick and choose, sorting out the BS and the good stuff??? Granted this is life but this book..... :scowl:

Agreed an undertaking but wouldn't you leave your controversial thoughts at home and be aware of sweeping statements. Things like "all basses must have" "the most important thing you can ever do" "will work for all" that just spells BAD advice.

I have been on the phone with quite a few clients completely confused about what to do in certain aspects of purchase and restoration. Stating that basses must have wooden tuners and wooden endpins and this guy said this and that. Asking if we mode tune the basses etc.

Why go out there with all the mode matching BS, really just regurgitating what has been theorized in the past. Read these volumes Link Removed Great stuff if you would like to get into the theoretical things.

but SOOOO many fine instruments defy all theoretical notions.

Better to be thought...than to speak and remove all doubt.

I am just REALLY cheezed and disappointed
 

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