Unexplained loss of sound/response

[William Stephens]

Evening everybody!

It's been a long time since I last visited this forum! Great to see it's still around and stil busy.

I have a problem I'm hoping some of you may be able to shed light on.

I have a Jay Haide Quenoil pattern bass (Yes, I know it's Chinese and not hand made, but please read on) dated 2008, which I bought brand new in 2009. The instrument used to sound incredible. In fact it used to sound like a far more expensive bass than it actually was.

The problem is I've noticed a gradual loss of sound, particularly in the low frequencies over the last 5 years or so. The bass has become much brighter and stiffer until it is now become almost useless for orchestral work. The problem first seemed to manifest itself after having some open seams glued up in December 2011.

Apart from a new set of strings (of of the same type) ad umpteen soundpost adjustments to try to remedy the problem (with the same post) nothing has changed on the bass at all. Seams regularly open each winter, but nothing else has come unglued. The bass bar still looks glued up inside.

The problem is most severe on the open D string and the E one tone up the same string. Sometimes the bow just seems to skate across the string and produce nothing but high-pitched overtones.

Oddly the instrument actually seems more responsive with a practice mute on the bridge.

I have had the bass looked at by 2 well respected luthiers who understandably seem to want to stay well away!

There's tons more I could add if anyone is interested.

Does anyone have any similar experience/ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Will