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.