Mechanical Extension. Not my best idea.

[Thomas Erickson]

1. The hole is no big deal. You can probably use it to run the string from another type of extension, or if you don't use one, just ignore it. If it really annoys you, plug it and varnish it over.

2 + 3 - Hard to say for sure, but adding a different extension probably won't cost any more than installing that extension would on a bass that had none to begin with.

All that said, I'd keep the mechanical and fix it. Just 'cuz.

[Samuel Budnyk]

lol I think this extension has given me PTSD -no combat-related component, however.
I personally can't deal with the rattling anymore. It requires constant tweaking and then THIS happened. Just frustrating all together.

[Thomas Erickson]

Armed Forces solution -

Blame the ammo and put a prophylactic device on it.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Samuel Budnyk

lol I think this extension has given me PTSD -no combat-related component, however.
I personally can't deal with the rattling anymore. It requires constant tweaking and then THIS happened. Just frustrating all together.

Can I see a picture of the FRONT of the Extension to see what the pads look like that press down the String?

Also, what kind or brand of Extension is this and, where did you get it.

Changing to a similar extension fitted to the same board will be cheaper than starting over again, I think.

Do NOT worry about holes in the Scroll. They are never 100% perfect and if You change to a different extension, you will need to plug that hole and trill another. Varnish touch-up is not a big deal. Even if you put a new extension of the exact same kind, the re-fit may not work with that hole either so forget about that hole meaning anything. It is the extension and how it works that counts.

Also, welding new Keys onto your fingering system might be a possibility as well. Some of these Extensions are made in China and are doomed to fail if not rebuilt including others made in Europe. These new ones are not as good as the old ones from decades ago. They call this, 'Progress'.

[tim givens]

Can't you just remove the metalwork, leaving a fingered extension? you'd have to come up with an E stop solution.

[Samuel Budnyk]

The metalwork and "capos" (i dont know the correct term) are all one unit. I cannot remove the mechanical part without removing all of the fingers -and Ken, I do not know if the wood is actually thick enough to insert a capo, and if it is it would be JUST there.

[Eric Hochberg]

A "fingered" extension is one with just an E stop. Using your fingers only to stop the other notes.

[Samuel Budnyk]

To tell the truth -I would LOVE that over this.