Bass Restoration Fundamentals - Tools and Materials
Instructor: Robert McIntosh
Questions can be directed via email to mcinbass@gmail.com.
You should bring with you (shipping not advised) one standard ¾ bass (due to space and time constraints). Select a repair you'd like to work on, based on the topics in the course description. You should bring tools and materials needed to do that repair. As projects will vary, we hope to reach out to you for information on your project prior to the workshop. This will help to ensure that you can complete or make good progress on your bass. For larger projects, we will either work out next steps for your own work or you might bring it back at a future workshop.
| Required Reading | |
| Bruce Hoadley | Understanding Wood |
| R.G. McIntosh | Wood Drying (mcinbass.com) |
| Recommended Reading | |
| J.E. Gordon | The Science of Structures and Materials |
| J.E. Gordon | Structures, Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down |
| Henry Strobel | See his website for other titles |
| George Sturt | The Wheelwright’s Shop |
| Weisshar-Shipman | Violin Restoration: A Manual for Violin Makers |
| Henry Strobel | Useful Measurements for Violin Makers |
| Henry Strobel | Violin Maker’s Notebook |
| Bob Flexner | Understanding Wood Finishing |
| Recommended Tools (You should acquire the essential tools if you do not have them) | |
| Notebook and pencils | Essential |
| Violinmaking knife | Essential |
| Measuring tape | Essential |
| 6”, *12”, and 24” straightedge | Essential |
| Combination square or similar | Essential |
| White wax china marker | Essential |
| Fine-toothed saws, rip and crosscut | |
| Clamps | |
| C-clamps | |
| Spindle clamps | |
| Long-reach clamps | |
| Hot hide glue, dry and mixed | |
| Glue pot, brushes, rags | |
| Small spatulas (palette knives) | Essential |
| Scrapers | Essential |
| Sandpaper, sanding blocks, self-stick sandpaper | |
| Bench light | Essential |
| Planes, finger planes, chisels (I use a 1” mostly) | Essential |
| Gouges (#3 x 20mm recommended) | Essential |
| Heat gun | |
| Steamer | |
| Hygrometer | |
| Repair wood | |
| Sharpening equipment | |
| Cordless drill/driver | |
| Apron | Essential |
| Mallet, hammer | Essential |
| Tools that may be used in demonstrations | |
| Heat blankets and control | |
| Laser, jigs for aligning the bass and neck | |
| Tormek grinding wheel | |
| Grinding wheel | |
| Aluminum oxide and Arkansas stones | |
| Diamond hones | |
| Level | |
| Glue pot | |
| Titebond liquid hide glue | |
| Heat gun | |
| Steamer | |
| Spindle clamps | |
| Long-reach over-the-rib back clamps | |
| Long-reach bass bar clamps | |
| Cordless drill/driver | |
| Sling psychrometer |