Help! Cracked body on Musicman S.U.B.

[Sheldon681]

I never ever leave my bass in unsafe place, but I did for 30 seconds tonight. I left it on top of a chair in my basement while I went to grab something and when I got to the top of the stairs I heard the horrible sound of bass on concrete.

Luckily most of the damage is superficial. A tuning peg is badly bent and seemed to absorb any headstock damage. I have a dent on the body, but being a S.U.B., that's not a big deal. But there's a crack that stretches across the back, just below the battery compartment and it wraps around to the front of the bass, right to where the pot cover is. I'm not touching it much for fear of making it worse, but if apply a bit of pressure, the crack opens up just a hair. All electronics, neck, bridge, pickup, etc. seem to have survived unscathed. It tunes up fine and seems to play exactly the same.

Any advice on how to fix this? Although I realize I'm lucky compared to what the damage could have been, I've waited a long time to get this bass and have had it under a month. I'm totally distraught at my own carelessness.

Should I be looking at glue, new paint, bring it to a pro, leave it alone, etc? Thanks in advance.

 

[the unrepentant]

It could just be a paint crack? if so you'll have to live with it. Does it actually go into the wood? If so, i'd take it to a pro and they'll glue it up for you. A lot of pros regularly glue snapped headstocks back on and the like without anybody knowing the difference, and they get a lot of tension on them, i'm pretty sure they could do a good job on your SUB.

 

[Sheldon681]

I haven't tried to pry it open much, but I'm pretty sure that the crack is through the wood just by the way that it will split futher if I put a bit of pressure on it. Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

 

[the unrepentant]

No worries, the best thing to do is to take it to a pro when you're unsure of what to do, you don't want to make it worse by trying to fix it yourself.

 

[Big Poppa]

play it.....if it breaks glue it.

 

[rhythmCity944]

play it.....if it breaks glue it.

that's what I would say...or 'it's time for a new paint job" look at the positive

 

[bovinehost]

 

[sloshep]

play it.....if it breaks glue it.

A big +1.

As mush as it hurts, you have to move forward. Just be thankful it still plays OK.

 

[bradfordws]

that's what I would say...or 'it's time for a new paint job" look at the positive

I'd glue it and clamp it overnight, but then again, I agree - it could be a good time for a refin! The fact that when you apply pressure, the crack opens up, there's no way I'd just continue to play it as is. Just my $.03.

 

[hankSRay]

I played with a band called Delux from tiajuana mexico a few years back. Their bass player was using a StingRay who's body was split in two right down the middle. He was holding it together with ductape. That stuff just works for everything.

 

[Russel]

I'm a tubist as well. We use that stuff to fix air leaks.

In band, we call it tubatape.

IF YOU'RE NOT IN IT, YOU'RE OUT OF IT!!

 

[RobertB]

play it.....if it breaks glue it.

+1 more. And let it be a relatively inexpensive lesson. Dude, never ever ever ... oh well, you already know now, I'm sure. 30 seconds may sound like a short time, but that's 30,000,000,000 nanoseconds, and gravity can do alot in that time!

 

[oli@bass]

Most probably it's not necessary to do anything about it, but since the crack opens if you apply pressure I'd take it to a local luthier to get an expert opinion.

OTOH... you could always buy a new one!

 

[Big Poppa]

I like how oli thinks

 

[Sheldon681]

Yeah BP, I really expected your first post to end with "play it.....if it breaks ..... buy a Stingray!"

And thanks again to everyone for all the advice.

 

[the unrepentant]

Most probably it's not necessary to do anything about it, but since the crack opens if you apply pressure I'd take it to a local luthier to get an expert opinion.

OTOH... you could always buy a new one!

Aye, but you'd just buy a new one whether it's broken or not! We know what you're like with your NAMM basses

 

[Slingy]

Post your pic at Project Guitar Forum (Powered by Invision Power Board) if you want to get some quick expert advice on repairs.

I did when I repaired the cracked headstock on my classical, I wasn't going to do it myself, but they made it very easy for me. It was a fun project to do on my own and turned out beautifully, but if it would have been a high end guitar, I would of had a luthier do it.