Creaking bass.

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Maybe the endpin moving in the socket? Check that unless you find something loose inside or with the neck or actual neckblock fit inside the bass.

Thanks for your thoughts Ken. I've checked out the endpin pretty thoroughly. It's a bit of a mystery. I'll go and play it some more and maybe get my wife to apply a bit of pressure to the bass while I listen around.

[Thomas Erickson]

If it seems like the endpin it might not be the socket - could be the bottom block. Do you use a wheel much?

[Richard Prowse]

Wayne and Thomas, thanks very much for your thoughts. I didn't really get around to getting my wife to hold the bass while I listened yesterday, but I'll certainly get onto it today - bearing in mind that it's Sunday morning and she's reading the Sunday paper in bed; a wise man never interrupts this activity.
I really do appreciate both your input and am thinking about what you have said.
Thanks again, I'll let you know as soon as I find anything.
Thomas, I don't use a wheel but it is a working bass and does unfortunately take the occasional bump.

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by wayne holmes

Richard, just watched you play on you tube- wow-impressive-you really get into your playing and the bass is moving a lot- I like that.. I noticed that the bow quiver moves a lot-leather straps can creak-also, you, as much as you play, with the constant shift on the end pin assembly would over time produce normal wear which could produce the creak. If any part of the assemply is loose and perhaps wasn't a good fit when installed, wear would happen sooner. I would look very closely at the end pin; the rod, the plug that goes in the block and the block itself-

Thanks for your you tube recording- I really enjoyed it - wish I could play like that-

Your friend playing the piano and trumpet at the same time- I hope others will check these out- very entertaining-how do you put words to that talent?

www.holmesbassviol.com

Wayne, I really appreciate your thoughts, and your kind words to an old guy about his playing. I've checked out the bow quiver, but it seems okay. I'm still working on finding that creak. Your thought about the movement is a very good one - I don't mean to move when I play, it just happens. That might be something I need to look at. Again, my friend, many thanks for your educated thoughts.
Hey, James Morrison is something else! And he's Australian!

[Richard Prowse]

Wayne,
I feel guilty for taking so long to reply, because you have been so generous with your ideas and knowledge. I've spent that last three days trying to find the optimum sitting position, as this could be a way to minimise the noise for recording. I've tried all sorts of heights and finally decided that the best stool height is probably one that has the end pin at the same height for both sitting and standing - allowing easy cross over to both ways of playing.
The funny thing is that, today, the creaking seems to have disappeared. This has happened before, so I'm not holding my breath. Maybe I'm doing something different when I stand?
Thanks, my friend, I'll keep you updated when old Mr Creak returns.

Hey, if Edgar uses dots, they're okay by me. Personally I like my ear close to the string, but I'm not silly enough to argue wih him!

[Thomas Erickson]

Temperature and humidity fluctuations could account for it coming and going if it is in fact a loose joint someplace.

[Matthew Tucker]

surprising no-one from slab side has jumped in with a recommendation to lube your nut. It's all the rage you know.