Bass Restoration Fundamentals

2023 UNH Violin Craftmanship Institute will be held online.

The class will focus on common problems in the bass repair shop. These will include:

REMOVING THE TOP

• Preparations for conserving the shape
• Bracing the neck
• Re-installing the top
• When to re-line the edge.

TOP REPAIRS

• Soundpost patch, other inlays
• New bass-bar
• Cleats

EDGE REPAIRS

• Repair, re-build, or replace a frayed or missing edge

FINGERBOARD

• Dressing a fingerboard
• Installing a new fingerboard

NECK REPAIRS

• Remove the neck
• Re-set the neck using a laser for alignment
• Neck graft (scroll graft)
• Shear plate in pegbox to arrest movement

TUNING MACHINES

• Tune up the old ones
• Bushing oversized holes
• Alignment of new machines

THROUGH THE f-HOLE — avoid taking off the top

• Wire-pull patches
• Magnets
• Re-arch a Kay top

FLATBACKS

• Re-brace a flat back to avoid future problems

C-EXTENSION

• Necessary pre-conditions
• Geometry and layout
• Fingered or chromatic?
• Hardware

WE WILL ALSO DISCUSS:

• Jigs, tools, and appliances for performing various tasks 
• The geometry and ergonomics of the bass.
• How to re-arch a deformed top; when is this extreme repair necessary?

Select a repair you'd like to work on. You should have tools and materials needed to do that repair. If you wish to focus on a topic not listed above, please contact us as soon as possible so we can be prepared to make your UNH-VCI experience as productive as we can. For larger projects we will help you map out next steps for work on your own time.

The class is open to students with previous experience in instrument repair or who have participated in the BASS SETUP class.

A full list of tools and materials can be found in the Tools & Materials tab above, or by clicking here.