Hi, I own a 5-string Thumb Bass with the bolt on neck and ovangkol body. I was very pleased with the bass untill recently I noticed the body has split at the glue joint. The split originates from the top down and when touring in dryer climates it opens up enough to actually insert a guitar pick into the split. I suspect if it weren't for the bridge, saddle and neck screws which of course 'straddle' the split, it would probably have come apart. Has anyone else experienced this problem with 'exotic' woods? I'm still using the bass although with considerably less sustain. The dealer where I bought the bass told me I could "order a new body for around 600$". Does Warwick cover this type of defect under warranty? I'd appreciate any opinions. Thanks, Byron.
Florin
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Hey Byron,
When have you noticed the splitting?
The good way of taking care is - even twice a week for the first 1-2 months, then once a week, then once a month... Especially in heavy touring conditions...
You have a 10 years old wooden instrument, without a high polish finish. It means the wood is not protected from the humidity like a normal bass, that's why you need to take extra care...
You can consider this as a defect if it happened in the first year... or let's say two years... pretty much the time covered under warranty. But if it was OK then it means we gave you a good and stable instrument, and something happened ...
You must take good care of anything if you want to be as new after 10 years of heavy using...
This is an 1600 EUR bass, but even if you buy a 50 000 EUR car, after 10 years it will start to rust if you dont take really good care of the care.
I know my cars are not the happiest cars in the world
But I am pretty sure that the problem is only a cosmetic one. the loss in sustain can be from other things like setup, etc. I don't think that what you describe affects the sound of your bass.
Could you take it to a tech for a good setup? Maybe the time has come Or even do it by yourself, and let me assist you, we can meet on skype one day and do it.
I hope you understand why we don't consider this to be a defect. It is a very easy fix for a luthier, and I would do this instead of changing a 10 years old body with a fresh ne one ;-)
PLease take some pics for us, and let us know how it goes...
Some stupid question, and I am sorry for asking....
- Are the strings new?
- When you put the strings are you pressing them down at the nut and bridge? Especially the B and E stings, will lose sustain if you don't make the strings straight over the saddles (not rounded)
Cheers, Flo
When have you noticed the splitting?
The good way of taking care is - even twice a week for the first 1-2 months, then once a week, then once a month... Especially in heavy touring conditions...
You have a 10 years old wooden instrument, without a high polish finish. It means the wood is not protected from the humidity like a normal bass, that's why you need to take extra care...
You can consider this as a defect if it happened in the first year... or let's say two years... pretty much the time covered under warranty. But if it was OK then it means we gave you a good and stable instrument, and something happened ...
You must take good care of anything if you want to be as new after 10 years of heavy using...
This is an 1600 EUR bass, but even if you buy a 50 000 EUR car, after 10 years it will start to rust if you dont take really good care of the care.
I know my cars are not the happiest cars in the world
But I am pretty sure that the problem is only a cosmetic one. the loss in sustain can be from other things like setup, etc. I don't think that what you describe affects the sound of your bass.
Could you take it to a tech for a good setup? Maybe the time has come
Or even do it by yourself, and let me assist you, we can meet on skype one day and do it.I hope you understand why we don't consider this to be a defect. It is a very easy fix for a luthier, and I would do this instead of changing a 10 years old body with a fresh ne one ;-)
PLease take some pics for us, and let us know how it goes...
Some stupid question, and I am sorry for asking....
- Are the strings new?
- When you put the strings are you pressing them down at the nut and bridge? Especially the B and E stings, will lose sustain if you don't make the strings straight over the saddles (not rounded)
Cheers, Flo
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- #5
Hi Florin, thanks for taking the time to discuss this issue with me. I know you must be quite busy.
The split has been noticeable for just over 3 years.
Regarding set-up on the bass, I always do my own. I've been playing professionally for more than 25 years and I've been doing my own set-ups for nearly the same amount of time. As you probably know, it's not complicated and it's something I believe every player should have basic skills with.
Having said that, this bass hasn't required alot of attention in that area. It has been very stable even while touring over several continents and with a tone that's unmatched by any of my other basses...in my opinion of course...another reason why it's been my main instrument for the last 10 years.
As I've indicated I own several other basses, most with a 'gloss' finish but not all, and several of them have no finish at all on multiple laminate necks. I have to say, at present I haven't experienced any problems of this nature with any of them.
Maybe you can answer a question for me. What type of glue is used to laminate the wood for the body? As a hobbiest furniture maker I know that common PVA glues such as regular yellow carpenters glue will fail with the presence of excessive moisture. Other glues such as polyurethane based are much more resilient to humidity, and in fact require moisture present to cure properly. I suspect this is probably the type used to glue up my bass?? In any case, when properly glued, the joint should be stronger than the wood surrounding it.
Regarding your suggestion on having a luthier look at it, I think I have the tools and skills to repair it myself if I dissassemble the bass AND it comes apart cleanly at the glue joint. Although I can't help feeling I'm fixing someone else's mistake.
To be honest, I'm not certain if I can trust it 'not' to come apart in the middle of a tour. And given the baggage and weight restrictions imposed by the airlines these days, I can only travel with one bass. Sadly, untill it's repaired, I'll have to leave it at home and use another bass.
I will try to post a photograph of the bass here asap. Thanks for your time Florin, all the best, Byron.
The split has been noticeable for just over 3 years.
Regarding set-up on the bass, I always do my own. I've been playing professionally for more than 25 years and I've been doing my own set-ups for nearly the same amount of time. As you probably know, it's not complicated and it's something I believe every player should have basic skills with.
Having said that, this bass hasn't required alot of attention in that area. It has been very stable even while touring over several continents and with a tone that's unmatched by any of my other basses...in my opinion of course...another reason why it's been my main instrument for the last 10 years.
As I've indicated I own several other basses, most with a 'gloss' finish but not all, and several of them have no finish at all on multiple laminate necks. I have to say, at present I haven't experienced any problems of this nature with any of them.
Maybe you can answer a question for me. What type of glue is used to laminate the wood for the body? As a hobbiest furniture maker I know that common PVA glues such as regular yellow carpenters glue will fail with the presence of excessive moisture. Other glues such as polyurethane based are much more resilient to humidity, and in fact require moisture present to cure properly. I suspect this is probably the type used to glue up my bass?? In any case, when properly glued, the joint should be stronger than the wood surrounding it.
Regarding your suggestion on having a luthier look at it, I think I have the tools and skills to repair it myself if I dissassemble the bass AND it comes apart cleanly at the glue joint. Although I can't help feeling I'm fixing someone else's mistake.
To be honest, I'm not certain if I can trust it 'not' to come apart in the middle of a tour. And given the baggage and weight restrictions imposed by the airlines these days, I can only travel with one bass. Sadly, untill it's repaired, I'll have to leave it at home and use another bass.
I will try to post a photograph of the bass here asap. Thanks for your time Florin, all the best, Byron.
Florin
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Hey Byron,
Thanks for your nice words. I know how you feel right now, and I really apreciate your patience.
I wrote an mail to someone at HQ that knows more than me about glues, and I will come back to you.
You are right, everyone should make his own setup, I do it myself as well. But the "straight string" trick I've learned only a couple of years before... It is strange sometimes how we don't see such things
I really hope the bass is not in this bad shape as you describe it, I own a fretless one from 98 now, and it is a great bass...
Take care buddy!
Thanks for your nice words. I know how you feel right now, and I really apreciate your patience.
I wrote an mail to someone at HQ that knows more than me about glues, and I will come back to you.
You are right, everyone should make his own setup, I do it myself as well. But the "straight string" trick I've learned only a couple of years before... It is strange sometimes how we don't see such things
I really hope the bass is not in this bad shape as you describe it, I own a fretless one from 98 now, and it is a great bass...
Take care buddy!
- Thread starter
- #7
Hi again Florin. I posted several close-up pics of the bass here in the forum. Please forgive my photography skills. I'm not sure how to attach them to this thread but they're submitted under my name, 'Byron-thumb bass'. If you can't find them let me know and I'll try to upload them again. Have a good weekend.
Byron.
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I saw the pictures of your bass,That crack can be fixed good as new.I had a vett with a smaller crack in the same place.I lightly sanded the body and used the wood dust with super glue to fill the crack.I also moved the strap pin over as it's right in the glue joint.I think that helped the crack form.A good shop should be able to fix your bass right up.
You got it.
Just sand the area around the crack a bit and gather the dust, then
a bit of superglue and the dust to fill the crack is your best bet.
i prefer to use a straight razorblade to get rid of most
of the extra glue and get it close to the body fast. sand again,
oil, and wax and she should be as good as new.
If its something you are not wanting to tackle yourself i do
all sorts repairs like this on these basses for the US.
Just sand the area around the crack a bit and gather the dust, then
a bit of superglue and the dust to fill the crack is your best bet.
i prefer to use a straight razorblade to get rid of most
of the extra glue and get it close to the body fast. sand again,
oil, and wax and she should be as good as new.
If its something you are not wanting to tackle yourself i do
all sorts repairs like this on these basses for the US.
