Bumpers...

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

If you mean inlaying them intro the actual Edges of the Top and Back I think that's strange and easy to break off in time. The Purpose of the Bumpers are to actually 'protect' the outer edges. Why use them as Bumpers?

A number of very good contemporary makers either inlay a strip of hardwood into the outside edges, or use hardwood edges in strategic places. It's a fair bit of extra work but ... why not?

Neville Whitehead uses maple half-edging to the purfling line at certain points on new basses

Charton's B21 uses a hard rubber insert into the edges. He claims it is easy to replace when it wears out.