MattC Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 I knew it for a while, but my bass teacher reminded me that I need to get my URB set up. (replace those stock supersensitive strings, replace the factory bridge with an adjustable bridge and have it cut and filed properly). About how much could I expect to pay either a private luthier or a business for this service? How long is the turn around for this service? Also, does anyone know of either a luthier or shop in the detroit area that performs this service? I have the name of a luthier in Big Rapids, MI, but I'm not sure that I want to haul my URB clear across Michigan (4+ hours in decent traffic each way) if I can avoid it. ...think funky thoughts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebrownbass Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 Buy your own strings. Lemur Music is a good site (800-246-BASS) I'd recommend D'Addario Helicore Mediums. Even if you pizz a lot, I'd probably recommend against buying "pizz" strings. Your teacher should know of a luthier. If not, I'd call the orchestra directors or music administrators of any public school district that has an orchestra program. They'll put you on to somebody. However, be warned. In the summertime, during "summer repair" season for the school districts, most repair guys have a 6-8 week waiting period that you'll be without your bass. When you get there, make sure the guy talks the string talk. He should know about soundpost placement, nut slot adjustment, fingerboard planing, tailpiece wire length. Check him out to make sure he talks intelligently. You should probably get the bow rehaired from the guy first. If he gets a nice even bow hair job, you'll have a pretty good clue to his competence. Prices: here in the North Texas Area, purchasing a bridge blank and having it fit for bass is about $125. Fingerboard planing is about $100. Bow rehairs (with nice black hair) are $50. Nut Slot adjustment is perhaps $15. They'd probably be within 15% of those prices anywhere in the country. As to adjusters; if your bass is plywood, it probably doesn't need adjusters...if the plywood sinks a lot, you have problems bigger than adjusters can compensate for. If the bass is a carved bass, especially an older one, adjusters can compensate for the change of humidity. Good luck. "Let's raise the level of this conversation" -- Jeremy Cohen, in the Picasso Thread. Still spendin' that political capital far faster than I can earn it...stretched way out on a limb here and looking for a better interest rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Orr Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 Yeah, I second Lemur Music, it is a great place for all your bass needs (If you buy a bass from them, they can set it up). I payed $400 for my setup, but it needed the full works (with exception of the bow). But yeah, it was worth it. Still got that nasty wolfe, but as I recall, that is an issue with the bass's natural resonating, string weight is the only treatment for those, that I know of. (Is the correct?) groove, v. Inflected Form(s): grooved; groov·ing transitive senses:1a.to make a groove in;1b.to join by a groove;2.to perfect by repeated practice;3.to throw (a pitch) in the groove intransitive senses:1.to become joined or fitted by a groove;2.to form a groove;3.to enjoy oneself intensely;4.to interact harmoniously - groov·er noun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebrownbass Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 Did you buy your bass from Lemur, and pay $400 for a setup? Probably not...these days setups are included in their new basses. They were charging $200 a few years ago. As far as the wolf tone goes...a string weight works. You might also try the following: lenghth of tailpiece wire. If you have a string that vibrates sympathetically with a fingered note, or slightly off, you'll get a horrible howl. I know some luthiers go to great lenths to establish "correct" proportions between string lenghth and the lenghth of string below the bridge. The stiffness of the tailpiece wire seems to also have an impact. You know the old Kays have a rigid wire...some have a more flexible coathanger wire. A stiff wire seems to translate into a stiffer tone, but the wolfs are eliminated. I like a flexible wire for tone, but then sometimes you get wolf tones. What I do to control them is install the wire and bring the tailpiece very close to the saddle...overlapping it a bit (but not all the way) Just an idea. This is not rocket science...it's HARDER! "Let's raise the level of this conversation" -- Jeremy Cohen, in the Picasso Thread. Still spendin' that political capital far faster than I can earn it...stretched way out on a limb here and looking for a better interest rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Gollihur Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 Check my Double Bass Luthiers Directory at http://www.urbbob.com/luthiers.html for candidates in your area. Turnaround will depend on ambition and workload, some of the better guys are flooded with work. Patience may pay dividends. 1000 Upright Bass Links, Luthier Directory, Teacher Directory - http://www.gollihurmusic.com/links.cfm [highlight] - Life is too short for bad tone - [/highlight] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Orr Posted June 11, 2003 Share Posted June 11, 2003 DBB, no I didn't get my bass from Lemur (wish I did though). I choose not to disclose the origin of my bass, lets just say I was young and ignorant. groove, v. Inflected Form(s): grooved; groov·ing transitive senses:1a.to make a groove in;1b.to join by a groove;2.to perfect by repeated practice;3.to throw (a pitch) in the groove intransitive senses:1.to become joined or fitted by a groove;2.to form a groove;3.to enjoy oneself intensely;4.to interact harmoniously - groov·er noun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattC Posted June 12, 2003 Author Share Posted June 12, 2003 Bob, you're right- patience does pay off. I think that you're previous post was right onthe money, though, about the better luthiers being flooded this time of year. My problem is that I'm only sure that I can take lessons during the summer and as such I can't afford to be without my bass for more than a few days t most. Perhaps I'll take a few weeks off from lessons at the beginning of the semester and have it done then. My teacher and I are working through Simandl, so it'll be a few months before we get near the higher positions where high action is a real problem. I did glance at your directory, Bob, but I didn't look very closely. I think I'll wait until I get to school and I'll speak to someone in the music dept. about a referral. Many of those teachers are Setroit Symphony players, so I'm sure that they've got the hook-up, so to speak. ...think funky thoughts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan Orr Posted June 12, 2003 Share Posted June 12, 2003 Ick, Simandl. I really didn't like that method. I prefer George Vance's Progressive Bass Repitiore. Plus Francios Rabbath does the example CD. Its pretty amazing to see that guy in person. Anyway, personal preference. Some teachers prefer Simandl, some don't. groove, v. Inflected Form(s): grooved; groov·ing transitive senses:1a.to make a groove in;1b.to join by a groove;2.to perfect by repeated practice;3.to throw (a pitch) in the groove intransitive senses:1.to become joined or fitted by a groove;2.to form a groove;3.to enjoy oneself intensely;4.to interact harmoniously - groov·er noun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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