Removable Neck
El Problem
Flying with a bass is a real problem. A strung-up bass - even in a proper padded hard case - is no match for the rigors of the baggage handling routine where a drop of just 10cm can exert 10Gs of force on the bass, effectively increasing the weight of the neck and scroll to around 50kg!! Add this to more than 100kg of string tension already pulling on the head, and you have a recipe for disaster; damage to scroll, ribs, top ... everything is at risk.
Karl Fenner's broken neck (left) is an unfortunate example.
In addition, travelling with a full size, heavy hard case is awkward and almost impossible in public transport.
The Solution
A bass with a removable neck, however, achieves two things.
Firstly, the bass is shipped without string tension, and without the weight (c5kg) of the neck/fingerboard/machines bearing on the body. The instrument shipped this way is FAR better able to withstand impacts and falls.
Secondly, travelling with two smaller pieces of luggage means that you can manoeuver them yourself, often just check them with normal luggage, and use a normal vehicle for land transport.
All my handmade basses feature a simple and strong removable neck system for travel. I can convert just about any double bass, new or old, to a virtually invisible removable neck joint.
But how does it sound?
There is NO detriment to sound or looks using such a system,
In fact many people believe that the sound is improved with such a solid contact between neck and block.
Interested?
If your flat-back bass has a cupped or cracked back, its not going to get any better.
If you'd like to discuss what re-bracing with this new system can do for the your instrument, or get a quote, please get in touch.
For luthiers: I wrote a technical article on this system for the magazine of the Violin Society of America (VSA) which you can preview below. If you are interested to read the full article please contact me directly.
