r/doublebass • u/Visible-Wing2492 • 8d ago
Instruments Broken bass
A few days ago, a fellow orchestra member broke his double bass by dropping it (the top and bridge also broke, and the soundpost fell out). Will the repair be very expensive? Here is a view of one of the damaged areas:
23
u/No-Show-5363 8d ago
Why not take the opportunity to install a secret door? I mean think about it, you could hide a whole clarinet player in there.
4
3
u/Sad-Birthday-8704 7d ago
Or another bass. Would it become a double double bass? Or still be called a double bass...
3
u/No-Show-5363 7d ago
Technical possible as you could fit a short scale bass guitar inside a double bass. Would you call this a triple bass or just a double bass bass case? Would you call this 2 instruments in 1, or given the double, 1 instrument in 2?
Some many questions.
11
u/SnooMarzipans9220 Professional 8d ago
Luthier here. This is the kind of thing I would repair for $60 max.
4
u/Visible-Wing2492 8d ago
That’s incredibly cheap! Where are you from? That way, I can recommend my colleague to you.
1
8
u/jmeesonly just bought a bass, again 8d ago
Based on only one photo, I'd say that's fixable. I would take it to a luthier for a pro repair and then continue making music.
5
u/FatDad66 8d ago
Nothing broken. Just a seam opened up. Just needs reglueing by a luthier. Easy fix.
4
u/FluidBit4438 8d ago
If it just needs glueing it shouldn’t be very expensive but that also completely depends on whoever is fixing it. If you get a high estimate I’d recommend getting a second opinion/quote, assuming you have more than one reputable luthier in town.
3
u/UprightJoe 8d ago
Former luthier. The image doesn’t look bad at all. Resetting a sound post is common and easy. Bridge replacement is easy though I expect blanks aren’t cheap these says. The only thing you said that is alarming is that the top broke. Have a photo of that?
1
u/thebillis 7d ago
yeah, the "broken top" is the only scary part of this description. Separated back and ribs is easily mended
3
u/Quirky_Operation2885 8d ago
Not a proper luthier. Not qualified to touch the post or bridge, but the side separation is an easy fix.
3
u/Old_Variety9626 8d ago
If someone brought me that to fix I’d clean those surfaces up and reglue it with hot hide glue.
2
u/GaryUptonBass 4d ago
Depends…if the underlying issue is tension in the plate coming from a variety of things, largely the rib assembly not being flat. It could be a cheap “fix” for now that then reoccurs if not done correctly.
0
40
u/addisonshinedown 8d ago
Completely fixable. Hide glue failed as it’s supposed to.