Removable Neck Conversion

[calduggan]

I’m looking at having a removable neck mechanism fitted to my double bass for travel reasons, just wondering if anyone has had this done in the UK and how it went!

[DanOwens]

I contacted a few luthiers to get quotes and none of them would do it for me; admittedly it was on an EUB and there were concerns about the quality of the wood, but they were all easily dissuaded by smaller factors. 

Since its a destructive process, you'd probably want someone with experience doing the work and I couldn't find anyone up North. 

[Woodwind]

On 02/06/2021 at 17:25, calduggan said:

I’m looking at having a removable neck mechanism fitted to my double bass for travel reasons, just wondering if anyone has had this done in the UK and how it went!

If you're in the south I seem to remember Laurence Dixon doing this work for people, but I stopped playing double bass 10 years ago so he may well not do this anyore.

Best give him a shout -

https://www.laurencedixonbassplace.com/

[calduggan]

Just in case anyone was following this…

 

I got the excellent Charles Collis to do the work - he’s done a brilliant job. Super easy to use and really secure. He also made me a new extension and set the bass up and it’s sounding great.

 

Can’t recommend him highly enough!

[gyrus]

On 09/08/2021 at 18:46, calduggan said:

Just in case anyone was following this…

 

I got the excellent Charles Collis to do the work - he’s done a brilliant job. Super easy to use and really secure. He also made me a new extension and set the bass up and it’s sounding great.

 

Can’t recommend him highly enough!

The conversion looks great! 

[Silvia Bluejay]

That looks brilliant! How do you take the pin out of the neck heel once it's been inserted? It's such a subtle system that it looks like you might need a blade or a sharp object to lift it.

Edited August 12, 2021 by Silvia Bluejay

[calduggan]

7 minutes ago, Silvia Bluejay said:

That looks brilliant! How do you take the pin out of the neck heel once it's been inserted? It's such a subtle system that it looks like you might need a blade or a sharp object to lift it.

The circle on the neck heel is a cap with a magnet which sticks to the bolt which goes through into the neck block. There’s a tiny divet cut out so you can get the cap off, the magnet also helps so you can stick it to something while you’re doing the whole process so you don’t lose it! I’m away a bit over the next few days but will take some slightly better photos!

[Silvia Bluejay]

That's a brilliant system! Excellent work. Thanks for explaining.

[chyc]

How does the sound post stay in place without the bridge?

[Rabbie]

Wonderful job indeed! 

[calduggan]

On 19/08/2021 at 09:46, chyc said:

How does the sound post stay in place without the bridge?

Apparently a well-fitted sound post ‘should’ stay in place. But maybe getting wiggled around on a plane it might collapse, so I’ll have to get proficient at re-setting it which isn’t a bad skill for a bassist to have!