Edges - overhanging vs. flush

[Thomas Erickson]

Not something I've seen discussed before, at least specifically - I'm wondering what people are thinking about the pros and cons of either configuration. Of course we could be talking about basses that are/were made in such a manner, or about old instruments that just don't have any edges left I suppose! ;)

Personally I like the aesthetic of flush joined ribs/edges, at least on certain styles of instruments, but I go back and forth on whether overhanging edges are more likely to help preserve the plates, or (as with violin corners) more likely to be a liability; clearly the majority of thinking is that overhanging is better, but I don't know for sure why - practical or just tradition? Thoughts?

[Matthew Tucker]

HEAPS easier to remove and replace the top for repairs, and the overhangs protect the ribs from stage scratches ...

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Over time the top and especially the back will shrink. Overhangs allow some repositioning to be done without major surgery. Without overhangs, bulges can occur within a few years.

[Thomas Erickson]

Over time the top and especially the back will shrink. Overhangs allow some repositioning to be done without major surgery. Without overhangs, bulges can occur within a few years.

In the cases of the old basses we see that were made without overhanging edges - was this something the makers weren't aware of and repairers just had to deal with? Or do you think there were/are construction methods or considerations that can help to address the issue? Of course the shrinkage is a given, eventually anyway, so I'm not sure what could be done - maybe it was just a matter of drier wood being used than what we use more recently, so the shrinkage was not seen so quickly...

[Ken Smith]

In the cases of the old basses we see that were made without overhanging edges - was this something the makers weren't aware of and repairers just had to deal with? Or do you think there were/are construction methods or considerations that can help to address the issue? Of course the shrinkage is a given, eventually anyway, so I'm not sure what could be done - maybe it was just a matter of drier wood being used than what we use more recently, so the shrinkage was not seen so quickly...

Viol d'Gambas are made flush in the old world.
Guitars, Lutes and Mandolins are made flush.
Viennese and Czech/Prague school basses and some Hungarian basses are often made flush as well.

It seems that only the Violin School instruments are made with edges overhanging with the exception of some Eastern European double basses.

Nothing is set in stone but that's what I have seen and learned so far to date from what I can recall.

Flush is not a good idea for the long haul.

[Tyler Bolles]

Not all mandos have flush/bound edges!

http://media.legitify.com/campanella/photos/hpim1777_large.jpg

[Ken Smith]

Not all mandos have flush/bound edges!

http://media.legitify.com/campanella/photos/hpim1777_large.jpg

I was referring to old European instruments. You can build today anyway you like. Tradition is different however. Nice looking instrument.

[Thomas Erickson]

You can build today anyway you like.

I tend to think (in terms of basses especially) that this was the case yesterday as well. ;)