Search found 1081 matches

by matthew
Tue Aug 11, 2015 4:33 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Double Bass corner restoration
Replies: 48
Views: 51542

Re: Double Bass corner restoration

you have to use something that shrinks as it dries - like a clay pan - over a soft varnish layer. it's hard to control. too thick and you get massive cracks, too fast and it pulls away, too soft ditto, too thin or too slow the cracquelure doesn't work at all or it is too fine. too hard ditto ... a l...
by matthew
Mon Aug 10, 2015 11:40 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Double Bass corner restoration
Replies: 48
Views: 51542

Double Bass corner restoration

Here's a quick recap of a corner replacement on an approx 150 year old double bass. The corner had already been chopped off diagonally by another repairer, but it was shoddily done, and it crumbled apart. If I had been replacing the corner for the first time, I would probably have tried to cut the d...
by matthew
Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:27 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Paulownia Soundboard
Replies: 64
Views: 65555

Re: Paulownia Soundboard

Nice. Watching with interest :-)
by matthew
Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:44 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: LARGE abrasive sheets
Replies: 3
Views: 5311

LARGE abrasive sheets

Does anyone know a good local supplier of abrasives that would be able to ship me a large sheet of cloth-backed 80grit ?

I mean, large like 800 x 1500mm?
by matthew
Sun Jun 28, 2015 12:44 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: neck laminate glue
Replies: 6
Views: 6504

Re: neck laminate glue

i laminate my two-piece double bass necks with hide glue. Invisible glue line and no issues.
by matthew
Thu Jun 25, 2015 4:24 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Matthew Tucker double bass 2015
Replies: 16
Views: 19325

Re: Matthew Tucker double bass 2015

Gary Karr and Ryan Ford. Gary is one of the worlds leading soloists ... and is playing my bass here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwXxcFLiTrk And yes, that is a clamp on the lower bout. Between Sydney wet winter and Colorado and New York and New Hampshire aircon, there were a few humidity differe...
by matthew
Thu Jun 18, 2015 1:27 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Matthew Tucker double bass 2015
Replies: 16
Views: 19325

Re: Matthew Tucker double bass 2015

it's a plug that hides a bolt for a removable neck.
by matthew
Sun Jun 07, 2015 4:04 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Matthew Tucker double bass 2015
Replies: 16
Views: 19325

Re: Matthew Tucker double bass 2015

Stu, its a flat back bass. Yes substantially less timber than a round back and braced in a variety of ways depending on the maker ...

The bass is now for sale in New York.
by matthew
Wed Jun 03, 2015 4:37 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Matthew Tucker double bass 2015
Replies: 16
Views: 19325

Re: Matthew Tucker double bass 2015

just awarded silver medal for tone at ISB 2015 :-)
by matthew
Tue Jun 02, 2015 9:54 pm
Forum: The Gallery
Topic: Matthew Tucker double bass 2015
Replies: 16
Views: 19325

Matthew Tucker double bass 2015

My newest double bass made from blackwood and sitka. Huon pine purfling.

https://flickr.com/photos/12734217@N05/ ... 3295807929

If you're in Colorado it's on display until June 6 2015 at the ISB convention in Fort Collins, and after then will be in New York with AES Fine Instruments.
by matthew
Thu May 14, 2015 10:33 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Paulownia Soundboard
Replies: 64
Views: 65555

Re: Paulownia Soundboard

i would like to try paulownia for corner and end blocks.

Where can I buy some?
by matthew
Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:09 am
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New Luthier Tips du Jour Video - Shop Design
Replies: 5
Views: 6916

Re: New Luthier Tips du Jour Video - Shop Design

my little friend was a miserable ball of sawdust and shavings before I washed her off. She's lucky that I used the water bottle and not the meths.
by matthew
Thu Mar 12, 2015 3:07 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: New Luthier Tips du Jour Video - Shop Design
Replies: 5
Views: 6916

Re: New Luthier Tips du Jour Video - Shop Design

Shop Dog eh? Hmmmm. I have a shop frog instead. Not a trip risk, but a slip risk for sure ...
by matthew
Fri Feb 20, 2015 3:21 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: feast watson prooftint stain colours no longer available :(
Replies: 6
Views: 9231

Re: feast watson prooftint stain colours no longer available

Orasol powdered dyes are terrific and very lightfast. They mix with many solvents. I use them in shellac mostly.

http://www.museumservicescorporation.com/scat/pa.html
by matthew
Sat Dec 13, 2014 5:49 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Old French Bass full Restoration
Replies: 237
Views: 199327

Re: Old French Bass full Restoration

once in a blue moon.

first time actually.

found a use for that rasp yet?
by matthew
Sat Dec 13, 2014 2:00 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Old French Bass full Restoration
Replies: 237
Views: 199327

Re: Old French Bass full Restoration

if anyone's in Sydney this weekend we're doing Open Studio at my workshop; basses, paintings and resin jewellery. you're welcome to pop by in the afternoons today and tomorrow 2pm - 6. PM me for address.
by matthew
Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:31 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Old French Bass full Restoration
Replies: 237
Views: 199327

Re: Old French Bass full Restoration

sure Pete. you could also send me some pics wide and close for an online diagnosis.
by matthew
Tue Dec 09, 2014 7:48 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Old French Bass full Restoration
Replies: 237
Views: 199327

Re: Old French Bass full Restoration

Nope ... one day.

Anyway you guys know what a bass sounds like .... bong bong bong booooooooo-ong
by matthew
Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:45 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Old French Bass full Restoration
Replies: 237
Views: 199327

Re: Old French Bass full Restoration

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by matthew
Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:38 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Old French Bass full Restoration
Replies: 237
Views: 199327

Re: Old French Bass full Restoration

finished.
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by matthew
Sat Aug 16, 2014 8:13 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Double bass resto/repair
Replies: 31
Views: 34022

Re: Double bass resto/repair

not a bad idea to make a new top if you feel up for it. but not Huon pine or King Billy. you need a slab 45mm thick ... what if you screw up?

western red cedar works really well but you need to hunt for some nice thick quarter sawn bits.
by matthew
Tue Aug 12, 2014 9:39 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Double bass resto/repair
Replies: 31
Views: 34022

Re: Double bass resto/repair

... you'll need a few dozen quick release clamps, or 10" spool clamps to reglue the top. there's a trick to that. do the repair and then i'll tell ya what it is.
by matthew
Tue Aug 12, 2014 9:29 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Double bass resto/repair
Replies: 31
Views: 34022

Re: Double bass resto/repair

Simso I'm sure you have excellent reasons for going in through the back door, but in my opinion it will only make things harder. Rocket, if you did that, you would have to support the bass. top down. for quite a while, that fingerboard is really going to get in the way :-). But with the top off, you...
by matthew
Tue Aug 12, 2014 4:21 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Double bass resto/repair
Replies: 31
Views: 34022

Re: Double bass resto/repair

PS I would NOT remove the back.
by matthew
Tue Aug 12, 2014 4:20 pm
Forum: Instrument Builders Forum
Topic: Double bass resto/repair
Replies: 31
Views: 34022

Re: Double bass resto/repair

Proper way to do it: Take the belly off. Knife, wedges, steam. patience. All needed. repair the broken areas - glue them together. You may have to press the belly curve out a bit. yes you can use epoxy on a ply bass :-) reinforce the whole belly area between the FFS with a spruce or pine veneer or p...