Attaching a ramp to the bass

[Maurice Hason]

Hello,

A local guy is building for me an ebony ramp for my Smith 6 EG. The ramp is almost ready and looks great. I would like to ask if attaching the ramp to the bass using double-sided stick tape can damage the finish of the bass when I remove it. My bass has a satin finish.

He said he uses a high quality tape from Stewmac that is safe for such purpose. Here is the tape:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_adhesives/Tape/3M_Double-stick_Tape.html

Thank you
Maurice

[Ken Smith]

Hello,

A local guy is building for me an ebony ramp for my Smith 6 EG. The ramp is almost ready and looks great. I would like to ask if attaching the ramp to the bass using double-sided stick tape can damage the finish of the bass when I remove it. My bass has a satin finish.

He said he uses a high quality tape from Stewmac that is safe for such purpose. Here is the tape:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Glues,_adhesives/Tape/3M_Double-stick_Tape.html

Thank you
Maurice

What is a Satin finish? Satin is a sheen, not a material. You have either an oil finish or a lacquer finish. The 6EG was made with a lacquer finish. Is the original finish still there?

If the tape has any acid in it, and most tapes have something, then over time, there might be finish damage. :eek:

Millions of basses were made and played without ramps. All of a sudden we need them? :confused:

Be careful. Re-finishing a bass is quite expensive.

[Maurice Hason]

Sorry for the confusion, my model is BSR6GN
I purchased it 2 months ago from Bass South West by your recommendation.
It is the one on this page.

http://basssouthwest.com/Ken_Smith.php

I find that playing with a ramp is more comfortable for me and makes me play lighter and more relaxed with my fingers and arm.

[Ken Smith]

Sorry for the confusion, my model is BSR6GN
I purchased it 2 months ago from Bass South West by your recommendation.
It is the one on this page.

http://basssouthwest.com/Ken_Smith.php

I find that playing with a ramp is more comfortable for me and makes me play lighter and more relaxed with my fingers and arm.

The 6GN has the oil/varnish finish. Easier and less expensive to fix but the tape in time will eat the finish in those areas.

If that's what you need to play better, then do it. Thinking forward, if this were to need a re-finish in the future, then I would suggest 'gluing' the Ramp in place and make it permanent. Sticking anything to oil and wax is not easy so it has to contact the wood to hold better.

[Scott Pope]

Why not? It's just a "tug bar" revisited. I also recommend that if you must, make it a piece of wood that compliments the bass and just glue it on permanently so it doesn't look "tacked on."