Creaking bass.

[Richard Prowse]

I have a fully carved Christopher 502 that is strung with Bel Canti.
It plays really well and I love it. The problem I have is that it creaks - much like I imagine a sailing ship would. The creak seems to come when the bass is upright and pressure is applied to the L bit below the neck, or the back of the body. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I plan on doing some recording shortly and fear that it will sound like my bass has maritime rigging.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Richard Prowse

I have a fully carved Christopher 502 that is strung with Bel Canti.
It plays really well and I love it. The problem I have is that it creaks - much like I imagine a sailing ship would. The creak seems to come when the bass is upright and pressure is applied to the L bit below the neck, or the back of the body. Has anyone else ever experienced this? I plan on doing some recording shortly and fear that it will sound like my bass has maritime rigging.

Maybe the endpin moving in the socket? Check that unless you find something loose inside or with the neck or actual neckblock fit inside the bass.

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by Ken Smith

Maybe the endpin moving in the socket? Check that unless you find something loose inside or with the neck or actual neckblock fit inside the bass.

Thanks for your thoughts Ken. I've checked out the endpin pretty thoroughly. It's a bit of a mystery. I'll go and play it some more and maybe get my wife to apply a bit of pressure to the bass while I listen around.

[Thomas Erickson]

If it seems like the endpin it might not be the socket - could be the bottom block. Do you use a wheel much?

[Richard Prowse]

Wayne and Thomas, thanks very much for your thoughts. I didn't really get around to getting my wife to hold the bass while I listened yesterday, but I'll certainly get onto it today - bearing in mind that it's Sunday morning and she's reading the Sunday paper in bed; a wise man never interrupts this activity.
I really do appreciate both your input and am thinking about what you have said.
Thanks again, I'll let you know as soon as I find anything.
Thomas, I don't use a wheel but it is a working bass and does unfortunately take the occasional bump.

[Richard Prowse]

Originally Posted by wayne holmes

Richard, just watched you play on you tube- wow-impressive-you really get into your playing and the bass is moving a lot- I like that.. I noticed that the bow quiver moves a lot-leather straps can creak-also, you, as much as you play, with the constant shift on the end pin assembly would over time produce normal wear which could produce the creak. If any part of the assemply is loose and perhaps wasn't a good fit when installed, wear would happen sooner. I would look very closely at the end pin; the rod, the plug that goes in the block and the block itself-

Thanks for your you tube recording- I really enjoyed it - wish I could play like that-

Your friend playing the piano and trumpet at the same time- I hope others will check these out- very entertaining-how do you put words to that talent?

www.holmesbassviol.com

Wayne, I really appreciate your thoughts, and your kind words to an old guy about his playing. I've checked out the bow quiver, but it seems okay. I'm still working on finding that creak. Your thought about the movement is a very good one - I don't mean to move when I play, it just happens. That might be something I need to look at. Again, my friend, many thanks for your educated thoughts.
Hey, James Morrison is something else! And he's Australian!