Bass Violins

We stock a variety of carved and plywood basses. New basses are always on hand and occasionally we find old ones to resell. Usually the old ones sell as fast as we get them - it's just a matter of checking for the first good home on our waiting list.

We also repair basses, something of a grand undertaking. Bass repair is very demanding. That's likely the reason most of what we repair is redoing and/or repairing damage done during bad repairs resulting from short cuts other shops have taken. A lot of old basses have "repairs holding their repairs together". What probably happens is the well intended repair person opens up an instrument and is overcome by how much work must be performed. Then on go the sloppy cleats, edge patches and wood putty to get it back into "playing condition".

Another common problem is glue runs. Glue is applied to an open bout with the instrument on its side and 90% of the glue runs across the plate to the other side. We take great care to assure this does not happen. Generally we like to show the customer what is happening on the inside of their instrument after it is opened up. Then we offer to let them to see it after the work is completed - before the top goes back on. If any performed work is not to the customers satisfaction we will either redo it or offer a refund.

HOW TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR BASS

General handling tips

Basses are more challenging to handle than other stringed instruments. Do not lift a bass by its edges or corners, they will break off. The safest place to lift by is the neck and end pin. Sometimes it seems impossible to know where to grab a bass for a safe handhold. Generally the only other place to grasp is under the upper edge of a c-bout. Never lean a bass on anything. Always place a bass in a proper stand or on their sides out of harms way where they will not get tripped over.

Always loosen the bow when finished playing. A lot of instrument outfits I inspect have had their bows stored under tension. Leaving the hair tight will warp or break the stick, especially if a drop in humidity occurs.