Neville Whitehead Lutherie Bass Maintainance

General Maintenance+ Emergency

Strings: Cleaning strings after use will increase their life.
*Loosen the string you are cleaning, wrap soft cloth around the string then, bending the string slightly as you
( without kinking string) run soft cloth along length of each string & fingerboard. Tighten each string to pitch after cleaning. Do this once a week. After each playing wipe your strings down with soft cloth.

Bridge: The feet of the bridge should generally be aligned with the notches on the sound holes. If you have height adjusters on your bridge, keep in mind that an increasing the height also increases the downbearing force on your instruments belly. If not managed properly the forces exerted on your bass will in time do serious damage to your instrument.

Gears: Never clean your gears with brasso or metal cutting polish, these are abrasives and will wear your gears badly. The Whitehead Lutherie can service, repair or build replica replacement gears and buttons as required.

Cleaning: Rosin builds up on the belly of your instrument every time you bow, wipe the rosin off the bass each time before you put the instrument away. The Whitehead Lutherie cleans all instruments as part of your service.

Bow: Be conscious when winding the bow up not to over tighten, this can snap the head off the bow. Always unwind the bow after use. Your bow is best kept in a bow box or bow bag when not in use as keeping bows unprotected inside instrument covers often results in breakage. The Whitehead Lutherie can recommend specialist bow makers & repairers.

Extraneous Noises (emmiting from your bass): Unseen cracks, moving parts and damaged strings can all contribute unwanted sounds to your performance. The Whitehead Lutherie is equipped to solve unwanted bass and cello rattles and buzzing.

End pin: A strong end pin 5/8 in'' stainless tube with a simple collar design is desirable as opposed to the common flexible piece of 2/8 steel with notches in it. A solid end pin properly fitted will prevent loosing sound, and be less likely to bend. A notched end pin dictates in increments your end pin setting. Whereas a simple collar tightening style end pin chuck lets you choose the length you desire.

Harmonic Tuners: Correctly positioned on your tailpiece will improve or stop wolf notes entirely and allow the whole instrument to sing . The Whitehead Lutherie can custom make harmonic tuners for your instrument.

Tailpiece: It is important that your tailpiece is of the correct length and weight for your instrument size. Many old instruments in circulation have tailpieces that are incorrect in length this inhibits the function of the tailpiece. Many new economy priced instruments are being sold with cheaply made tailpieces that detract from the sound of the instrument.

Whitehead Wheel: Make transporting your bass easier.

Bass Wheel Bass Endpin

Whitehead end pin & Whitehead wheel pictured above.

Only available through the Neville Whitehead Lutherie.

Emergency bass damage info:

Following these instructions can reduce further damage to your instrument.

•Fingerboard comes off: Immediately slacken string tension, remove bridge & tailpiece- this stops distortion of the neck.

•Belly, back or rib is smashed: Keep any fragments or broken parts for luthier to use in reconstruction. Slacken string tension, remove bridge and tailpiece.

•Sound post falls over: As above

•Scroll is smashed off: Remove strings,bridge & tailpiece. If scroll is completely broken off, do not transport the broken scroll and instrument parts in the same bag as your instrument as this is likely to cause further damage.

If you have any of the above or other problems with your double bass or cello Contact Neville Whitehead