Maude

Better start saving for an acoustic double bass now then, it's an inevitable and slippery path

I know I know, different basses, different players etc, but all things being equal which of the Innovation strings are the loudest would you say? I mean played pizz not arco by the way. The reason I ask is I played a gig this Saturday acoustically and I didn't feel I was keeping up with the two guitars, it may have been louder out front as being stood behind the damn thing seems to be the worst place be . I'll add that I'm new to acoustic double bass, been playing EB for 20 years and EUB for just over a year. The EUB has whackers on and is obviously always amplified so copious volume on tap probably hasn't helped with technique and with better technique comes more volume. I ordered my new acoustic bass with Rockabillys on as I'd hoped they would be similar in sound to the whackers on the EUB (which work very well) but with more tension and a bit more refinement, which they are, just not particularly loud. Saying that the D and G are pack more punch than the E and A so it could be bridge related. I did sand the bridge feet on the bass so they sit better as I wasn't happy with how they were when I got it, I'm pretty hands on and enjoy doing this sort of thing so no biggy. The gig was in an underground cavern so strange, but very good acoustics. Anyway I'm going off on a tangent now, back to the original question, which Innovation strings would be louder than the Rockabillys, does more tension necessarily mean more volume, I doubt it's that simple. I've put my name down to try the Honeys and I'll probably try the Ultras after that as they seem like my kind of thing.

Hi, can I be added to the list please? I ordered my new bass with the rockabillys on the strength of these innovation pages, I had to start somewhere, but it was a toss up between rockabillys, honeys or ultrablacks. I went with the rockabillys as I have wackers on my EUB (which work particularly well despite the nay sayers)so thought I'd break myself in tension wise with something lighter but I'd like to test the water so to speak with the honeys. Thanks, Allan.

Been caught stealing / Janes Addiction

I'd worry about my sound getting washed out and getting it to gigs could be quite draining.

Mostly ebay if I'm honest. My last two purchases were my doublebass from Gedo in Germany and my Yamaha Bex 4 from here. I was feeling a little guilty about not supporting my local shops etc so tried to source some flats for the Bex 4 in my two most local shops, I wanted either flatwound or nylon tapewound but was told that nobody uses flats anymore in the first shop, I said I fancied trying nylon tapewounds on the Bex 4 to see how it sounded to which he replied it would sound "old fashioned and dull". I tried the second shop which was a more traditional acoustic instrument shop, asked if they sold nylons, he said they only sold acoustic bass strings, silly me had forgotten about the laws of string fitment and only bronze strings can go on acoustics, back to the internet then.

Did these go?

I've just bought Valhalalfs Bex 4 so thought I'd better start my own feedback thread.

I've just bought Alexs Bex 4. Great guy to deal with, kept me informed at all stages. The bass was in better condition than I had expected as he had pointed out all the bad points in his ad but they really were very minor, very honest. Thanks mate

Pete, I had to file my nut down a bit which made it much nicer to play, there was a good 2 or 3 mm of clearance between the strings and fingerboard. Isn't there a brass insert in the bridge which would mean you couldn't take any off at the adjusters?

Not a looper but while we're mentioning multi tracking there's a cover of the Chili Peppers 'Can't Stop' on YouTube all on an upright, I think it's really cool. Apologies if it's already been posted, using my phone so videos are showing up really slowly.

I agree that Thomann are a very good company to deal with, my EUB came from them and they were very good, but Gedo have been very good too, that bass is mass produced and the couriers have dropped it, neither of these things are Gedos fault, and they gave me all options of how to deal with it. I choose to glue it back on myself for a discount as I would end up with the bass I wanted, with the knowledge that the fingerboard is now rock solid and the Hidersine case I wanted basically thrown in for free. I'm happy. On a previous thread we came to the conclusion that, all things being equal, a hybrid will sound better than full laminate, and Thomann don't list any hybrids so the choice between Thomann and Gedo was made for me. This thread was purely to ask what was a fair price to glue a fb back on, which was answered in the second post, the bass had already been repaired and is being used so no more advice on what to do with it please, I don't mean to sound harsh but it's all sorted. Thanks for the replies

[quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1370292351' post='2098832'] why not send it back? if this has happened surely it indicates inferior workmanship, youmay fix this now , be happy for a few months and something else will go wrong. [/quote] I would want the same bass and the rest of this one seems good, I could get another one which may have a different issue, at least I know this fb is rock solid as I've done it myself. Another one would be at the mercy of international couriers which is never good. I can't afford a good quality bass which is available in this country within driving distance, I did a lot of research of budget basses and Gedo and Thomann came out on top, but they're still mass produced basses which in turn leads to these sort of issues sometimes. I could wait for a second hand one to come up locally but that could still have unknown issues and I may not have enough experience to spot issues and get stitched up. If anything happens to this one in a few months it will get fixed or returned as it has a two year warranty. I know a lot a folks would say save up and spend more money on a better bass but it's not that I can't afford too, it's that I can't justify it at this point in time with a cottage to renovate and a family. It's basically a Gedo or Thomann bass or no bass at all.

Thanks for the reply, I'll email them in the morning and tell them I'm happy with that. I've ordered the Hidersine gig bag which was £59 so I've basically been given a free, good quality gig bag, which I'm happy with. I given it a bit more of a sand with some fine paper and it's nice and smooth now, I've some good quality furniture wax here in varying shades so I've given it all a light rub of clear to cover any bare edges and blended the ends in with a darker wax, looks and feels nice now, don't want anything much on there anyway else it feels too grippy. I've given it a good set up as well and it's feeling good, Now to start playing it at last, home practice tomorrow, band rehearsal Wednesday, gig Thursday Can't wait!

Hi all, I need to know a fair price for a repair to a bass as my new one from Gedo has been delivered damaged. They have offered to pay for the repair to be done or give me a discount if I do it myself, I just need to know if their offer is a fair one. The repair is to glue the fingerboard back on and sort out the cracked finish where the fb has broken away from the neck. During manufacture the fb must, I assumed, be glued to the neck before the neck and fb are finished off as the fb didn't leave a perfectly clean edge, kind of jagged lacquer if you know what I mean. I have glued the fb back on and sanded the rough edges back where the finish cracked away, it feels ok now but looks a little untidy, I need to use the bass this Wednesday and Thursday so wilk leave as is for now but I will need to either apply some lacquer to tidy it up and flat and polish it or build up a couple of layers of wax or oil to make perfect. I admit I'm fussy on finishes but this is a new bass and should be finished properly. Anyway Gedo have offered me 70 euros to compensate for having to do this and I just want to know if you think this is a fair price to pay for that job to be done, how much would it cost if I had to pay a luthier? I don't want to try and sting Gedo but I would like the discount to reflect the cost of the repair. Thanks in advance for any help.

Thanks for the advice, I've done a bit more research and it seems the additives to keep hide glue in a liquid state slightly reduce it's strength but it is still stronger than the wood itself so will be fine. It doesn't seem you can rub the pieces together to get it to tack together like regular hide but that shouldn't matter on a neck. I've ordered some so should be playing my new bass in a week fingers crossed. It was actually Titebond and not Loctite as well, my mistake.

I have a fingerboard which needs to be reglued to the neck, no big deal in doing that but I was wondering if anyone here had used or uses the Locktite liquid hide glue? I need to order either some normal hide glue or the liquid stuff, the normal type won't a big problem but needs soaking, mixing, heating, etc, so I will need to buy more stuff like a thermometer. The liquid hide glue would obviously be far easier for me as I can use it like regular PVA, spread it on, clamp it up and walk away, no messy preparation like regular hide glue. My worry is, as with most things, for the ease of use there will be a trade off of effectiveness. So bass builders/repairers have you used the liquid hide and what do you think?

Ouch, that's not good, gonna need some big wood screws!! Like you say, at least mine's easily fixed, just sort of spoils new bass day, but the first rehearsal once fixed I'll be loving' it!

That's the thing, I'm more from the rockabilly camp than the classical, but it's all good. I went for an adjustable bridge as well because I haven't settled on the perfect height for me yet, and if I start/join a rockabilly band I might want ti raise it up a bit, it just makes sense. They put on Innovation Rockabilly strings but I might end up with Innovation Honeys, I need to put my name on the trial list when the bass is fixed. I like the old skool thump rather than the more modern sound. Plus the Rockabillys are black and look cool! German bow and gigbag included but no rosin, or just not found it yet I'm going to order the Hidersine (sp) gigbag as it's more padded and robust than the gedo one, the bass will be a rehearsal and gigging bass so will be out the house once or twice a week so it needs a bit more protection.

The rest of it is lovely Pete, I got the same one as you in the end, I wanted the matte antique finish but they were on back order 'til August. This is a tiny bit too 'look at me with my new bass' for me if you know what I mean, but it is a looker, the back is incredible for plywood, really pronounced flaming, and the sides. A tiny part of me thought it would be too showy but now it's here I love it. I'll get some pictures up when it's fixed.

Gedo have been very good about it, they've offered to pay for the repair over here or asked if I could do it myself. I will do it myself as it's no biggy, just waiting for Gedo to come back with a partial refund offer as I have in effect bought a damaged instrument. It will definitely be hide glue incase it needs to come off in the future. Has anymore used the liquid hide glue that Titebond now do, still a proper hide glue but is liquid so a longer 'open time' which can only be good on a big area. Just bummed I can't get practicing on it, we have a gig a week on Thursday and I was hoping to debut it then. At least it's just the fb and not the neck or anything. TBH there wasn't much glue on it, just a thin strip down each side and a wiggle down the middle, Friday afternoon in the board glueing department maybe.