Bernard Simmon Fendt 1828
This 1828 Fendt came in with a collapsing top and a woodworker's worst nightmare -- cross grain strapping on the top plate of the bass. This restoration needed a full plaster cast plate pressing for the top, numerous breast patches, new bassbar, complete top plate re-edging. The neck of the bass was also misaligned way off to the bass side of the top, so a neck removal and reset was necessary. A cracked lower back brace needed to be replaced.
On this very historic and expensive double bass, I did not want to leave dark chalk marks around the bassbar. I utilized fluorescent chalk and a blacklight to fit the bassbar. Under normal light, fluorescent chalk is white.
For a more detailed view, select a photo below.
(20 photos)
Another luthier's improper method of repairing the top with cross-grain straps.
Using a blacklight and special fluorescent chalk to fit new bass bar without leaving colored chalk mark.
Just prior to glueing bass bar.
Showing new breast patches, new bass bar, and complete plate re-edging.
That's a sexy bass bar
Before I pulled and reset the, it was way out of alignment -- causing offset, tilted bridge.
After resetting the neck and cutting a new bridge, neck and bridge are in perfect alignment, resulting in much better sound produced by the instrument.
Beautiful da Salo shaped Bernard Simmon Fendt.
