Hello

[Craig Regan]

Thanks Ken, The extra material under the sound post and bass bar is a good idea.

It would be interesting to take a hacklinger gauge and measure the tops on various basses. Might be the best way to get answers to some of my questions.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Craig Regan

Thanks Ken, The extra material under the sound post and bass bar is a good idea.

It would be interesting to take a hacklinger gauge and measure the tops on various basses. Might be the best way to get answers to some of my questions.

Unless the wood you are using as well as the models between Basses are exact, copying measurements might not produce the exact same results.

[Matthew Heintz]

I'm not qualified to add anything here, but I spoke with Bill Merchant not too long ago about this and he said that he has seen quite a few modern basses with 6mm or 7mm tops coming back in for repairs. He said that they sound good initially but sink over time. Then again perhaps it works with certain woods, designs etc...

[Matthew Tucker]

craig you can get fine-tooth blades for coping saw that work really well for carving out the ffs. Until I found these, coping saw was hopeless, and fretsaw was just too fine.

Right now I'm glueing back the top of Sirente after regraduation. I'll soon tell you if the chandler "spine" is a good idea tonally or not, since I removed it ...

[Craig Regan]

Thanks for the tip Matthew, we are looking forward to the regrad results...

Photo #1
The f~holes are cut.

Photo #2
Removing excess wood, to achieve the optimum tone and response from the top plate.

[Matthew Tucker]

Craig you may have to wait a good 24 hours for any result from me. The top is on but I need to cut a new soundpost and get it all singing again.

[Craig Regan]

The top now graduates from 10 mm in the center to 5 mm at the edges. It is very flexible in some areas and yet, extremely ridged in other areas. Bass bar is next.

100% hand carved plates, blisters and splinters as testimonial.

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

Craig you may have to wait a good 24 hours for any result from me. The top is on but I need to cut a new soundpost and get it all singing again.

OK is singing again.

yes is louder, yes is more responsive to bow (even strung with Spiros) . E string shaketh the floor. But, still very bright, and i think this is partly cos my bridge is too thin at the top.

I am happy I spent the time on regraduating the top. Worked for me.

I have ordered some Evahs for a special treat. We'll see how she go.