Bass Hangout - Bass Building, Setup and Repair Forum Feed

Do you mix strings?

eric@basshangout.com — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 06:33:12 CST

I play Hillbilly Larry’s Slap Bass strings on my bass fiddle. I really like the strings tone and buttery feel. The price don’t hurt none either. However, the E string has always been a little low in volume compared to the others. Last night I changed the E string back to a Perlon core steel wrapped string and that really evened out the volume level problems I was having between the strings. The tone is not as deep, but the volume level is much stronger. Looks a little funny with one bright silver string beside the 3 black strings, but I think this is a better set up for me tone and volume wise. I was wondering what strings (mix or match) some of you use on your bass fiddles and why?

String Height (again)

eric@basshangout.com — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 05:43:14 CST

I just bought my daughter a used upright bass. (hoping she will take an interest in it.....it's looking good right now) The string height at the nut...(upper part) is almost touching the fret board, in fact the E string has a small piece of plastic under the string at the nut, probably to keep it from vibrating on the fret board. I am totally ingorant about this (I'm a banjo player....LOL), and there are no other bluegrass players or bass players around me for 300 miles. Thanks for any suggestions, Gordon

setting up a bluegrass bass

eric@basshangout.com — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 10:46:13 CST

Howdy everyone Yesterday, I picked up a very good deal on what I believe to be a pretty decent upright bass. The label on the inside says "Wilhelm Kohl copy of Antonius Stradivarius". The bass was played previously by a jazz player, so the adjustable bridge is at it's lowest setting. What should I do to set this bass up for bluegrass? I know I should raise the bridge height, but how much, and what is the proper way to do so? The bass sounds amazing now, so I don't want to mess anything up. Any help you could offer for a newbie upright player would be greatly appreciated thanks! [:D]

Tailpiece Cable - What kind to use?

eric@basshangout.com — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:26:18 CST

I'm looking to replace the heavy gauge wire holding my tailpiece to the endpin. Gollihur has different types. Any recommendations? This is an old German carved instrument originally owned by an area high school for it's music ed program.. It's got a lot of wear but it sounds great sound. I use it mostly for playing pizz. but do some occasional arco on it.

Which Strings for an Upright?

eric@basshangout.com — Wed, 3 Feb 2010 11:03:31 CST

I've noticed several types of strings available for non-bow upright players, steel, synthetic, tape wrapped, etc. What are the preferences, and why?

Making an Solid body bass (from scratch)!

eric@basshangout.com — Sat, 9 Jan 2010 18:41:37 CST

Hello everybody. So I've just recently started working for a local luthier, and came up with the brilliant idea that I should make my own bass, AND it seems that there aren't any forums about anyone building there own bass from scratch, so I guess I'll start one. So here's a few Ideas that I've heard: Ebony is good to be used for fretboards Mahogany is a good wood for bodies and necks Fretless basses have excelent harmonics But as someone who's never built an instrument, here are some questions: Should I use active pickups or passive pickups? What pickups are better: Single Coil or Double Coil? And does it matter? Must I use a preamp? Does it matter what bridge I put on it? Does a whammy bar REALY help? Are there specific measurements for anything? Are there certain techniques? How do you make the neck? How do you fret it? And so on and so on... So anyway, please give some answers about these questions, and even add some.

restoring

eric@basshangout.com — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 00:42:52 CST

I bought a 1975 Rickenbacher. I cant remember exactly which model right now, im at work and cant look, sorry. Its in pretty rough shape. I bought it as a collector thing, not an everyday player. The paint is bad and the frets are very worn. Electric wise it is fine. Will restoring this ruin the value and coolness of it? I dont know that I will ever sell it but would a restoration ruin any value? I know some things are better fixed up, some are better left rough. Thanks in advance for any help or advice. Pensnut

Upright Fingerboard Profile?

eric@basshangout.com — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:52:31 CST

Which is better, the asymetric fingerboard with the E string bevel, or a more symetric fingerboard?

Bolt On or Neck Through?

eric@basshangout.com — Tue, 8 Dec 2009 22:03:04 CST

For those of you who play electric bass, do you prefer bolt-on or neck-through bass construction, and why? --Steve

String Height

eric@basshangout.com — Sun, 6 Dec 2009 19:55:48 CST

What kind of string height does your upright have at the "C position and at the end of the fingerboard (closest to the bridge). Thinking of lowering mine a bit for easier fingering, but don't want to be so low as to provoke buzz or unintentional string contact.

Best Glue?

eric@basshangout.com — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:45:42 CST

I have a couple of repairs I need to make to my bass fiddle. I was wondering which glue gives the strongest bond on wood. Hide glue? Titebond carpenders glue? or ________? I have read that Hide Glue is the way to do. What do some of you more experienced luthiers think?

Tuneup for Big Old 4/4

eric@basshangout.com — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:41:27 CST

Hi all, Does anyone have experience in having a 4/4 standup tuned up? Mine is a 40-year old no name bass. I am sure it needs strings and lately I notice that the top of the neck is beginning to separate. The neck and the fingerboard has a weenie bit of separation. So wondering how much it would cost to tune up, and restring. The neck issue would be extra. I have been thinking of switching to a guitar-style acoustic bass. Easier to move around, and some of them sound ok. So am weighing the repair cost versus starting over with a smaller instrument. Thanks Paul Ryan www.ryantunes.com

Replacement bass neck

eric@basshangout.com — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:04:31 CST

I've been trying to get some info on replacing the neck on my Fender Jazz Bass. It took a nasty fall a few years back and I've never been able to get the neck straight since. Fender wants several hundreds of dollars for a new neck, but I think I'd be better off buying a new bass for that amount of money. Any thoughts or recommencations on how to fix the neck? Top Cop