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Warning: Gruesome Photos Ahead!

Discussion in 'Setup & Repair [DB]' started by Carl Hillman, Sep 14, 2015.


  1. Sep 14, 2015 #1
    Carl Hillman

    Carl Hillman

    Jan 1, 2010
    Pulled the bass out of its case for a gig a week ago and found that an old repair had given way.

    This repair held for over 20 years, and fixing it the same way as before (hide glue and a single lag screw going into the heel) might last another 20, but I've decided to get the permanent fix of a neck graft.

    Aidan at KC Strings is going to do it. It will take approximately 6 weeks, and I'm sure I'll be jonesing during that time, but when I get it back, the bass is going to be better than when I bought it.

    IMG_0458.jpg
    IMG_0463.jpg
    IMG_0464.jpg
    IMG_0470.jpg
     
  5. Sep 14, 2015 #2
    rolandm

    rolandm In search of the lowest note.

    Aug 8, 2010
    Peoria, IL
    Holy stink on a shingle! It's in good hands. But holy moly does that absolutely suck!
     
    Carl Hillman likes this.
  10. Sep 14, 2015 #3
    Carl Hillman

    Carl Hillman

    Jan 1, 2010
    Yeah, when I first saw it, it felt like kidney punch.
     
    rolandm likes this.
  14. Sep 15, 2015 #4
    Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald Student of Life Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Louisville, KY
    Ouch. Can you get your mitts on something to play in the meantime?
     
  18. Sep 15, 2015 #5
    Carl Hillman

    Carl Hillman

    Jan 1, 2010
    They're going to be kind enough to give me a loaner.

    My old Englehardt has its own problems and is unplayable. (warped fingerboard)
     
  22. Sep 15, 2015 #6
    james condino

    james condino Spruce dork Commercial User

    Sep 30, 2007
    asheville, nc
    Bummer, but don't stress too much about it. There are two types of bass players: people with bass necks like that and people who are going to have bass necks like that soon enough. A modern neck on an old bass body is my favorite combination!

    J.
    Condino.com
    Kaybassrepair.com
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2015
    Jake deVilliers, Groove Doctor, salcott and 2 others like this.
  26. Sep 15, 2015 #7
    turf3

    turf3

    Sep 26, 2011
    Did it break at the old break location, i.e., glue failure, or at a new location, i.e., wood failure?
     
  31. Sep 15, 2015 #8
    Carl Hillman

    Carl Hillman

    Jan 1, 2010
    The glue cracked. No new wood damage.

    It could, potentially, be reglued and last for years, but the idea of this same failure happening in the pit in the middle of a show curls my hair.

    Besides, I think it would be good karma to leave it in better condition than I found it...for the next owner.
     
    james condino and Jake deVilliers like this.
  35. Sep 16, 2015 #9
    james condino

    james condino Spruce dork Commercial User

    Sep 30, 2007
    asheville, nc
    About a dozen years ago, I had an old Framus bass with a loose neck joint. I took the strimgs off and had it on the workbench getting ready for a neck reset. Friends called up and said their bass player broke his arm snowboarding and could I fill in- in 25 minutes. The place was two blocks from my house, so I scrambled, strung it up, and walked to the gig. Everything was going great and we were playing great; we were packed soooooo tight into a tiny space with a full house standing room only at the first pub coming back into town on a huge powder day at Mount Bachelor in Bend, Oregon....and then the neck completely flew off the body of my bass in the middle of the second set while it was plugged in...bridge and strings and neck chunks all flying into the audience.... They all thought it was just part of the schtick and kept raging while the rest pf the band picked up the slack and finished the tune like we were a punk band....definitely one of my more memorable gigs!
     
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2015
    Bass Baron, Rebop, Carl Hillman and 2 others like this.
  39. Sep 20, 2015 #10
    Carl Hillman

    Carl Hillman

    Jan 1, 2010
    The patient on the operating table...clamped to measure projection.

    IMG_0475.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 21, 2015
    Chris204T and rolandm like this.
  43. Nov 5, 2015 #11
    Carl Hillman

    Carl Hillman

    Jan 1, 2010
    My bass is back in action and playing and sounding great.

    Many thanks to Aidan and Alex at KC Strings. They made the whole process of the repair actually enjoyable. This was hands down some of the best customer service I've ever experienced.

    The new neck and fingerboard are smooth as silk.


    Bass_Neck1.jpg

    Bass_Neck2.jpg
     
    mindwell, S-Bigbottom, Bass Baron and 6 others like this.
  47. Nov 15, 2015 #12
    james condino

    james condino Spruce dork Commercial User

    Sep 30, 2007
    asheville, nc
    Great to see someone do a nice job on that old bass rather than another duct tape and drywall screw story!
     
    Carl Hillman and KUNGfuSHERIFF like this.
  51. Primary

    Primary TB Assistant

    Here are some related products that TB members are talking about. Clicking on a product will take you to TB’s partner, Primary, where you can find links to TB discussions about these products.

     
    Apr 10, 2021

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