Clarky Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Replicating the Off Topic thread, I decided to change strings on my old German flatback yesterday. The E, A and G were all nicely sited and as I tightened the D there was an almight bang as my adjustable bridge flew into pieces and the soundpost dropped on to the inner floor of the bass. Now I have to drive to Malcolm Healey's in SW London to get it fixed and the only days I can do that are Olympic traffic-warning days in SW London. So either I sit in an almighty traffic jam or wait a month or so until I am back from hols and the Olympics hassle is over. Grrrrr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Commiserations! Do you have a second DB you can play while you wait for the overhyped, overexpensive Olympic madness to end? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 Luckily I do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Well jel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 My sympathy ran out when I saw the spare Kolstein ....and holidays??? When I wer young etc etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 Good job I didn't mention I work in a bank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1343131947' post='1745715'] ..... and the soundpost dropped on to the inner floor of the bass. [/quote] That is one of the most sickening sounds you can hear. Most players can re-set a bridge or replace a tail wire but the soundpost is usually a luthier's job. You could buy the sharp pointy soundpost setting tool and learn to do it yourself? It'll probably end up being just as fustrating as sitting in jublimpig traffic but at least you'll have learned a valuable skill? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 In principle I'd be up for that but just googled and a curvey pointy thing costing £49 appeared. Eeek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1343134103' post='1745784'] Good job I didn't mention I work in a bank [/quote] Hehe...I remembered that...but I was feeling generous today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPJ Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1343135370' post='1745815'] In principle I'd be up for that but just googled and a curvey pointy thing costing £49 appeared. Eeek [/quote] I know, that's like charging £50 for a coat hanger. I took my bass out of it;s case this morning, I haven't played it for 3 weeks due to tennis elbow that has returned I forgot how long it takes to build strength and callouses and how quickly it all goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Sympathies Clarky, you seem to have bad luck lately with the joinery side of things. Great you've got a spare. I don't and it makes me very nervous waiting for that bang. Hey TPJ, I got bad left side tennis elbow from chain sawing, but found that the bass didn't aggravate it at all as long as I didn't grip the neck but used my shoulder instead. Which is what i should be doing anyway, I'm told. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1343134103' post='1745784'] Good job I didn't mention I work in a bank [/quote] That has no detrimental effect whatsoever on you being a thoroughly nice person Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Sorry to hear that Clarky. I wouldn't go anywhere near a sound post setter. I know it's a hassle but that's a really hard thing to get right and it makes such a difference to the sound. Also fitting it too tight could damage the top. I would wait till Olympic traffic hell eases then take it to Malcolm or try to find someone more local. Good luck mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Oh no! I had a bridge break on a gig just as I was warming up They go with a hell of a crack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 [sup]T'was indeed a hell of a bang. On further reflection - and taking on board the sensible advice above - I am not going to attempt an amateur bodge job with a pointed, curvey piece of metal! If the traffic is tolerable on Friday afternoon I will head on down to Morden - more likely it will have to wait until late August[/sup] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) You must be due a change of luck soon Clarky. Have you been throwing black cats through mirrors or something? Edited July 24, 2012 by thisnameistaken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted July 24, 2012 Author Share Posted July 24, 2012 A smidgeon of bad luck with the DBs but - at the risk of sounding like some TV engangelist - I consider myself a lucky person - I fell into a great band and just celebrated 21 happy years of marriage. Try not to puke everyone Put in that context, a dent and a broken bridge ain't such a biggie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silvia Bluejay Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1343149073' post='1746152'] A smidgeon of bad luck with the DBs but - at the risk of sounding like some TV engangelist - I consider myself a lucky person - I fell into a great band and just celebrated 21 happy years of marriage. Try not to puke everyone Put in that context, a dent and a broken bridge ain't such a biggie! [/quote] QED re. my previous post about the kind of person you are - coming from another one who considers herself lucky despite having received a few knocks every now and then. Good luck with your DB - I would skip this Friday and wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 Why not invite Malcom over for tea and ask him to bring his tools Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 (edited) And have a good cake ready. Edit, oh bugger, that's Thwaites isn't it. Edited July 24, 2012 by bassace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted July 24, 2012 Share Posted July 24, 2012 I've got a spare late C19 German Flatback Clarky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 Well that all ended well. Drive to Malcolm Healey's was reasonably OK, bit of a monster drive back .... but Malcolm reset sound post, reassembled bridge (which is adjustable with a Full Circle) and set it up to play, all for the ludicrously reasonable price of £10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Hughes Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 [quote name='TheRev' timestamp='1343134809' post='1745805'] That is one of the most sickening sounds you can hear. [/quote] I'll go one better/worse - hearing the headstock rip apart whilst you're playing in a quiet room. The sound of ripping wood mere inches from my head haunts me to this day - even thinking of it now sends shudders down me spine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted July 27, 2012 Share Posted July 27, 2012 How about the sound of metal on metal as you wrap your car around a lamppost on the way home from an audition as you realise that your DB is supported against the side of the car that took the impact. Thanks to the car being built like a tank no the slightest bit of damage, but opening the gig bag when I got home was something that required a stiff drink or four Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 Still nothing as scary as hearing a shrill female voice yell "Clarky, where are you?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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