Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Menapace
This has turned into a pretty good thread! I just wanted to clarify...if anybody is still following from the original post, that the bass in question is just a shop bass with interesting wood and a comfortable size/shape for me to play. I would certainly never re-graduate a real makers bass. When I bought the bass, it had had a bunch of work done to it, including the re-graduation of the back (with back on), and re-graduation of top, graduated around the bass bar, and not all the way through to the edges. The current work being done is to graduate the whole top and fit a new bass bar. I've decided to leave the back alone, partially based on some of your responses, mostly based on the suggestion of the luthier doing the work...just wanted to say thanks for opinions/info, also I did read some of the 136 page paper, I'm into it, thanks for posting the link.
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I have heard of some fairly high end basses being re-graduated to correct what they though was made wrong. I have heard that many Strads and the like have also been altered internally to make them perform up to current standards. This is not always successful.
Like I mentioned, I have had basses go both ways in restoration, wood in and wood out. So far, every bass was improved.
On your bass that was worked around the bassbar, let me give you some information that might help. 30 or so years ago I heard about a full sized Maggini in a big shop for restoration. Along the entire bassbar area the top was built up under the bar. The Luthier thought that this famous maker was wrong and he was more knowledgeable. He removed the excess wood under the bar and 'sprung in' a new bar and closed up the bass when all the work was done. Guess what? The Top collapsed!.. This Luthier thought he knew more than Maggini.. Go figure..
When my Gilkes (Jilkes) was opened up for restoration and a new bassbar, I felt along the Bar area inside the Top and guess what? A similar platform as was described to me that was in the Maggini. That Bar platform-Top relationship was left intact and the Bar place in the Bass without any spring at all. This Bass dated 1814 on the Label has never cracked and has never sounded better in the 5 years I've had it.
Maybe in your Bass, leave a platform built up under the Bar like Maggini and Gilkes did. I would try that if it were my bass if possible just to see what it does.