Is this practical?

[JoeyNaeger]

I don’t know how familiar people are with Solano’s work, but they are known for having some issues with their construction. In December of 2005 I had a rib pop open in the middle of a concert down the entire length of the rib. This was when the bass a little over a year old. Solano repaired it well and he did it for free. He laminated some more wood to the rib, but he also decided to do this to all the ribs. It was obvious when the rib was split, that there was a tremendous amount of force pulling on the wood. That and some talk I’ve heard makes me think there is a sprung bass bar or something causing all that tension. If that’s the case, would it really be beneficial to replace the bass bar with one that really fits right? Also, if this turns out to be the source of the problem, I want to have the extra wood removed because it makes the bass heavier and can’t be helping the sound. This seems a little extravagant, but if it will prevent future problems, then perhaps it’s worth it. The biggest factor I guess will be getting a quote from the luthier I will have it done by, but I’d like some of yall’s input on the matter too.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

I'd bet money you have a flat-back bass.

[JoeyNaeger]

Nope, it's a carved back.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Surprising. I doubt you have a bass bar issue. I don't think a sprung bass bar would exert enough force to blow open a rib. I think perhaps the back has dried out and tried to shrink, resulting in the edges pulling away from the rib assembly. Have you had open back seams? If so, was the gap wide? When you say more wood was laminated to the ribs, do you mean narrow strips or full-width? With the grain or across it?

[JoeyNaeger]

I've never had any seams open before. The wood is full width, and the flame of the new wood is parrellel with the flames on the rib wood if that is what you mean.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

If the back was attached with very strong glue, and a seam tries to pop open (but cannot), a rib will split (or the top will). Sounds like he completely doubled the ribs as a fix.