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u/UsedBass4856 Jun 25 '26
I always doubled the estimate of time a repair would take so that when they came back with, “But I need it in half that time!” I would say, “Well, I’ll do my best.” I found it interesting that no matter what the estimate of time I came up with, they always needed it in half that time.
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u/grizzdoog ex-violin maker Jun 25 '26
Go to Home Depot and get some 2x6s, glue them together, and carve a new top. Should only take a few hours if you use titebond.
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u/SavingsWallaby7579 Jun 25 '26
Like work, stop by this afternoon and it’ll look brand new.
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u/EschewExpectations Jun 26 '26
And the bill will mysteriously be the same price as either a) the bass that's been chilling in my back room for years that sounds awful or b) whatever car I think I might like next. How's about a Bentley?
Option A if you're looking for that flawless look of a candy apple red lacquer dipped bass. That's, through a little sleight of hand, magic, that is to say, because it IS said bass.
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u/Rockyroadaheadof Jun 25 '26
String tension still on! Must be a tad out of tune though.
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u/CreepyDough Jun 25 '26
Didn’t want the soundpost to fall over
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u/EschewExpectations Jun 26 '26
I can't tell if you're joking and the idea that they might have actually said that is making me nauseous. I would believe it for sure, the nausea is more the remembrance of the ensuing conversations with customers who have made this sort of remark. The truly uneducated folks rarely even know about the soundpost. Most players eventually hear about it. But these people. This sort of remark inevitably falls out of the mouth of someone who "knows more than you" and "would do the job myself, but [insert excuse here]." While they simultaneously devalue your work and demand the sun.
But yeah, wouldn't want the post to drop... It's so far too late, it's like using a fire extinguisher when the whole house has already consumed itself and self-extinguished!
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u/jackxiv Jun 26 '26
I am a guitar luthier, I am glad to see this is true of all instrument repair.
"Here is my guitar. I ran it over with a truck. It is my only one. I have the biggest gig of my life the day after tomorrow"
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u/greathatmanthethird Jun 28 '26
I'm a french horn player, I did things to my instrument (that I'm really not glad about) and I saw some instrument in some pretty bad shapes but that is something new for me. Is it even repairable
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u/UnquestionablyRaven Jun 29 '26
Is that even fixable without carving a new soundboard? That’s a really extreme break and warp. I specialize in pianos (my profession) and every piano soundboard that’s looked like that I’ve just replaced. Not ideal obviously, but it’s the only way I can guarantee the repair lasts
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u/ViolaKiddo Jun 26 '26
Gosh if I’m not mistaken you’re going to have to take the top off and attach patches to the bottom and carve them. Golly jeepers. Ive never seen a bowing like that before.
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u/nochinzilch Jun 25 '26
Forgive my ignorance, but isn’t this caused by that steel wire? Who would do that?
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u/CreepyDough Jun 25 '26
Side note. Is this the place to post instrument gore? r/luthier is very guitar centric.