malbass

Sounds like you've got it all covered to be honest. My younger brother moved down to NZ a couple of years back, not so much of a musician but he's mad keen on bikes and had four of them to take with him. He had a similar arrangement with a shipping company, packed everything carefully into a giant cardboard box and sent it off. He reckoned because it was sitting on a pallet the package was so heavy that it could only really be moved slowly, avoiding the risk of stuff being thrown around carelessly. Took a while for it all to arrive but it got there in one piece with no issues.

[quote name='geoffbassist' timestamp='1393521915' post='2381454'] Great looking bass. I would highly recommend Kai Dase who is in Nottingham: [url="http://kaidaseviolins.com"]http://kaidaseviolins.com[/url] Great, honest luthier who knows how to set up basses. I love a NDBD! :-) Congrats! [/quote] Thanks for the reccommendation. Just dropped the bass off with Kai today. It needs a new bridge, soundpost and nut so turning out to be not quite the bargain I had thought but I'm sure it's going to sound a lot better than it does now. Kai was very patient with my lack of knowledge and was happy to spend time talking me through all the issues and options before we agreed on a plan to get it all fixed up. Can't wait to pick it up, hopefully in time for my next gig next Friday!!

Just bought a set of Velvet Blue db strings from Clarky, received them in the post very quickly, a pleasure do to business with. Many thanks!!!

Thanks for the responses guys. Much as I thought about the bridge, glad I pointed it out to the seller and got some money knocked off. Now to find a luthier!

Well, I wasn't expecting that when I woke up this morning! This popped up in my ebay searches, dropped the seller an email and he turned out to love just round the corner. Went round to have a look this evening, negotiated a great price and now its sitting upstairs in my office I'd been thinking about an upgrade from my cheaper Antoni starter bass and this seems like it will be just the job. Its a Strunal bass from Thomann, 5-6 years old according to the seller and in fantastic condition. The seller told me it had a new bridge and strings fitted last year, from what little I know of these matters I think the bridge could do with some work, it seems a little thick where the strings make contact. Any advice on that would be gratefully received. If you know of any luthiers close to Nottingham please let me know. Also, any idea what sort of strings are on it, the seller didn't know? Here's some pics: [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_3297.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_3298.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_3299.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_3305.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_3307.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_3308.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_3309.jpg.html"][/url]

Would highly recommend Andy Summers book 'One Train Later', really enjoyed it even though I'm not really a fan, some great stories from the sixties, jamming with Hendrix etc.

[quote name='andyonbass' timestamp='1385575358' post='2289867'] Has anybody ever constructed a pick up that attaches to the bridge like a clip on tuner? The Snark tuner I am using seems to have no trouble with the signal if you get it positioned correctly so maybe there is potential for a design there? [/quote] Fishman BP100 - like this [url="http://www.lemurmusic.com/Fishman-BP-100-Upright-Bass-Pickup-Transducer/productinfo/A1460/"]http://www.lemurmusic.com/Fishman-BP-100-Upright-Bass-Pickup-Transducer/productinfo/A1460/[/url] Seems to get some bad reviews but I quite like it, works well on my bass anyway.

Having given it some thought and checked the bridge again I've come to the conclusion that the bridge isn't that far out of shape and that the shape would have no bearing on the tension that was placed on the snapped tail piece wire. So I got a replacement wire and have gone back to using the stock strings. It doesn't sound any where near as good but it works and is stable - I've decided I can live with that in the short term and will perhaps think about replacing strings/bridge once I've got past this gig in a couple of weeks. Thanks again for all the advice, really appreciate it! [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2968.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2968.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[quote name='TPJ' timestamp='1383215500' post='2261578'] You could try Kai, he's in Notts. [url="http://www.kaidaseviolins.com/"]www.kaidaseviolins.com[/url] [/quote] Thanks for the tip off - according to his website I could be looking at £150 for a new bridge from him - about half the value of the bass, didn't really want to spend that much! Thinking I might buy a cheap bridge from ebay and have a go at fitting it myself. I've got the old bridge to use as a template and with a bit of time and patience I feel I could get somewhere close. Would I be biting off more than I can chew?

Thanks for the advice, the bass is now flat on its back - the sound post doesn't appear to have moved. Guess I need to start looking for a luthier!

Well that didn't quite go to plan, just popped up : [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2986.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2986.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Guess the higher tension of the new strings was too much and the tail piece wire has snapped Any tips on where to get a new wire? The first gig on this bass is planned for 4 weeks time, hope I can get it sorted in time!!

Thanks again for all the advice, have spent a bit of time on this morning and think I've got it sorted. The soft pencil in the bridge grooves seems to have helped a lot and by applying a bit more downward pressure than I was using previously have got the stings in tune and the bridge feet flat on the bass top. I've checked the bridge with a straight edge and it does seem to have quite an upwards curve on it so probably a little bit warped. I'm not really inclined to spend much money getting a replacement though, it was only a cheap bass and as the bridge has been fine for the past six months. I think I'll keep the money and start saving for a better bass!! Following some of the advice above I had a look on youtube and found this clip which really helped to show how to move the bridge back to the right position: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiN4VrEzYW0&feature=player_detailpage[/media]

Some great advice here, thanks a lot! Have just been out on my lunch break and bought a soft pencil so will give that a go and report back how I get on.

Wondering if anyone can give me any advice regarding a problem I'm having when changing the strings on my double bass. I've had the bass about six months - its an Antoni that was picked up cheaply from eBay - my first foray into the work of double bass. Six months later and I'm well and truly hooked so thought it was probably time to try making some improvements, starting with replacing the stock strings that came on the bass. I picked up a set of Spriocore Mediums from the classifieds on here and cracked on with my first go at changing double bass strings. I've had the bass on its back and changed one string at a time to keep some tension on the bridge. But now when I tune back up the bridge is starting to move and tilt up towards the neck - something it didn't do with the old strings. Have taken some photos to show the problem. Can anyone tell me if I'm doing something wrong or give any tips of how I can get the bridge to stay in its correct position whilst tightening the strings? Or is this a more serious issue with the bridge? Bridge profile: [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2940.jpg.html"][/url] Top of Bridge: [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2942.jpg.html"][/url] Bottom of Bridge: [url="http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2941.jpg.html"][/url]

Great review, have been looking at these over the past few days so this is just what I needed - have now sent them an email

Well that went for more than I was hoping!! :-)

Had a couple of requests for more photos so here you go: [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2557.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2557.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2558.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2558.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2559.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2559.jpg[/IMG][/URL] 65 watchers on eBay at the moment - never thought it would be that interesting!!

So I've decided that this probably isn't the bass for me at the moment. Had a couple of enquiries about selling this but I've no idea of the value. I've stuck it on ebay with no reserve so I guess we'll let the market decide how much its worth! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=111088750445

Guys, thanks for the input so far. Kind of confirming my suspicions about whether it would be worth it and having read StingrayPete's thread about his Gedo bass I'm thinking that might be the way forward. Typing on my phone right now so will post more tomorrow. Cheers Mal

Always been keen to get into playing double bass so when I was offered this old thing I jumped at the chance but am now wondering if this is really going to be the best way to get into it. I have little to no knowledge on the matter so am looking for any advice on the following. I think its a ply wood bass, no idea of how old it is and from having a general poke around I think its got some serious problems. First up would the bridge - looks almost like it is the wrong size for the bass and someone has hacked off the feet in order to get the strings close to the fingerboard? Looking inside the f holes the bass bar (I think thats what its called??) has also come away from the front of the body - it also has two sound posts, thats not right is it? So my question would be - do we think its worth the hassle of getting this old beater taken to a luthier and paying what I'm guessing will be a substantial amount of money to get it fixed up?? Or would I be better scrapping this one, and saving my money for something in better condition? [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2519.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2519.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2520.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2520.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2528.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2528.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2521.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2521.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2529.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2529.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2527.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2527.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/malw_2008/media/IMG_2525.jpg.html][IMG]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp86/malw_2008/IMG_2525.jpg[/IMG][/URL]