Bumpers...

[Brian Glassman]

Originally Posted by Anselm Hauke

brian, i really would like to see those pics! Thank you.

Best ones I could take. These pics are under the intense flash of my camera. In regular light they look like ebony.

BTW-Anselm, did you by any chance play in a youth symphony in Bremen under Herbert Kolovski back in 1989?

[Anselm Hauke]

Originally Posted by Brian Glassman

BTW-Anselm, did you by any chance play in a youth symphony in Bremen under Herbert Kolovski back in 1989?

hmm, well, i think i´m gonna send you a pm

edit: thanks for the pix!

[Martin Byrne]

I've recently been on a weeks course with the English player, Danny Thompson.
His fine old full size French Bass, is attributed to Gand C1865 and Danny had Ebony inlaid into the the actual edges of the upper and lower bouts several years ago.

No doubt a tricky job, but it works very well. Has anyone else come across that solution?

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by martini

I've recently been on a weeks course with the English player, Danny Thompson.
His fine old full size French Bass, is attributed to Gand C1865 and Danny had Ebony inlaid into the the actual edges of the upper and lower bouts several years ago.

No doubt a tricky job, but it works very well. Has anyone else come across that solution?

My Hart Bass had small round Ebony bumpers on both sides of the Bass upper and lower bouts. They were inlaid thru the Rib but not thru the Lining. These were very old. The previous restoration was done in 1944 and all the Ribs were doubled inside without any lining so the Bumpers were under the Doubling but thru the Ribs.

All of this work was removed during the recent restoration and the Bumper holes filled. Ribs were re-repaired and Lining was installed inside the Bass as it should be.

Here is a picture of the old Bumpers what little you can see in this pic;

These round Button style inlaid were on both sides, a total of 8 of them on the Bass. Here is what they look like now with the new Ebony fitted (not inlaid) Bumpers.


Hey, I just realized that my first and initial post of this Thread has all thee Pics and more. I mentioned they were 'dowel pinned' but maybe 'inlaid' would have been and easier term to understand.

I can't see what they should be inlaid unless done to cover up some other damage to the Ribs of the Bass. 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?

[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.

[Martin Byrne]

Yes Ken, the Ebony is actually a flush part of the edging now. You can see it in the picture and also evidence that at some point, other bumpers have been on that Bass.
With reference to damage to the original edging; Danny told me his bass (Affectionally named Victoria,) was quite heavily damaged during a customs "inspection" at Heathrow sometime back...so maybe thats when the alteration was made.