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Warwick + Flooded Basement = :O I need help!

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by Greg Huff, Jul 28, 2009.

  1. Jul 28, 2009 #1
    Greg Huff

    Greg Huff

    Jan 9, 2006
    Pickering, ON, Canada
    I posted this thread over on the basses forum and they suggested that you guys might be of more assistance with this predicament that I am in!

    UPDATE: I have been letting my bass sit on a stand in my bedroom (room temperature) for the last couple of days and it seems to be drying out well, but if there are any other suggestions that would be great. Have a great day.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Hey everyone, I was just hoping that I could ask for a little help right now with a rather unfortunate situation that happened over the weekend.

    Over the course of the weekend here in Toronto there was a rather terrible storm and rain was coming down like crazy (I have to say, i hadn't seen rain like that in a while). Anyways, to sum up the story, my basement flooded and the entire carpet was soaked right through, which meant that my Warwick Corvette, and a couple of amps were ruined by the rain. Luckily my other bass was fine (an Epi T-Bird), as it was sitting on a stand and was high enough to avoid the flooding.

    Anyways, I have just come on here to ask what you guys would suggest in order to help in making sure that this bass gets dried out properly and that there are no lingering issues (if that is at all possible). I will provide pics as soon as I can, but to give an idea, the bass was sitting in its gigbag that was leaning on the wall, with the base of the bag touching the ground, and so every inch of the bottom of the base basically until the bridge was practically dripping water and was soaked right through. I took some pictures last night as soon as I found it to give some reference if anyone is interested.

    Thanks alot for any help at all that you guys can suggest, it means alot!

    Greg
     
  2. Jul 28, 2009 #2
    OHSPyro89

    OHSPyro89

    Jun 21, 2009
    Try not to let it dry to quickly, if it's soaked.

    Hopefully there was some finish on the bass, then you shouldn't have many issues. An oil or lacquer based finish would prohibit water absorption for the most part. Basically, if the finish was well and in tact, you shouldn't have too many issues.
     
  3. Jul 28, 2009 #3
    Absentia

    Absentia

    Feb 25, 2009
    Other than hoping your wax coat was intact in a few days rent a dehumidifier to pull out the remaining. Moisture
     
  4. Jul 28, 2009 #4
    SurrenderMonkey

    SurrenderMonkey

    Aug 18, 2006
    Liverpool
    Probably best asking the warwick forums about those sort of problems. Their finish is a bit unusual (waxed or oiled). If it's natural (bubinga 'vette), keep it waxed.but dont dry too quickly. Keep an eye at the seem(s) at the bottom of the bass, mine has the straplock right there.
     
  5. Jul 28, 2009 #5
    erikbojerik

    erikbojerik

    Sep 11, 2005
    Gaithersburg, Maryland
    Save the photos for the claim on your homeowner's insurance policy.
     
  6. Jul 29, 2009 #6
    543432321234

    543432321234

    Jul 23, 2009
    Putting rice in some parts where it isn't drying out will soak it up, or at least that's the theory. Some people do that for cell phones if they drop them in water.
     
  7. Jul 30, 2009 #7
    vbasscustom

    vbasscustom

    Sep 8, 2008
    and in salt shakers so the salt doesnt get lumpy. it works quite well.
     
  8. Jul 30, 2009 #8
    throbgod13

    throbgod13

    Mar 26, 2005
    Texas
    strip the wax off the lower part of the body.. take a pair of new cotton tube socks.. put one sock into the other one.. then fill with clay based (cheap) kitty litter.. get a large trash bag.. put the kitty litter sock at the bottom, then put the bass in the trash bag.. then seal the top of the bag.. then place bass on wall hanger, or stand..

    let it sit.. the kitty litter will draw the dampness out of the wood.. you'll have to check the kitty litter filled sock every so often, and change it out.. until the water has been drawn out..

    this is going to take some time to do, if the wood is water logged..

    you could use DampRid in one of the "hanger" bags, since it has it's own water collection bag on it.. but, DampRid is pretty drying, and will pull all the available moisture out of the wood.. which may be a good thing..

    anyway, this is how i would do it.. it may not be as good a solution as some others, but it would pull it out..

    remember, the grain of the wood will be raised.. you'll have to go back after the bass dries out and knock the grain back to smooth.. then rewax.. but, i would make sure that the body has dried completely before waxing it..
     
  9. Jul 30, 2009 #9
    erikbojerik

    erikbojerik

    Sep 11, 2005
    Gaithersburg, Maryland
    If you wait too long to make the insurance claim, they will try to stiff you. They may try anyway - they might even drop your policy after the claim - but NOW is the time to call them on it.

    Not kidding.