New (to) DB

[RDW]

I purchased an Eberle laminate that I picked up from FedEx terminal this evening and can't say enough about the responsiveness and service from Steve at Ideal Music. He's been great in responding to my emails, and quickly resolved a shipping issue that could have resulted in me being unable to pick up the bass.

I'm a blank slate when it comes to DB (have played slab for 20+ years), so my impression of the instrument is certainly uninformed, but to my ears the bass sounds great. The build date stamped inside is 9 Sept. 1992, so the NOS status may contribute to its loud and full sound.

I requested setup for pizz and corresponding D'Addario strings - I received D'Addario Orchestra strings and setup for arco (very high string height). Not a big deal, as I expected the bass to require a pro setup and new set of strings, especially given the price point.

First order of business is to find a teacher....

I am able to intonate better than I thought based on my ears alone, but know that to properly play this beast I may need some help. It is a completely different animal from EB.

Second order of business is to modify the bridge - string height at the end of the fingerboard is approximately 12.5 mm on the E, A, and D, and 9.5 mm on the G. Way too high for jazz pizz, and makes TP difficult at best for a guy used to slab.

Here are a few pics and a couple of questions:

(My lovely wife's hand and arm)



(string height at end of fingerboard)



(bridge)



Regardless of my shortcomings, I am in love. I've plunked around for a couple of hours tonight trying various PC, Dave Holland, Ben Allison, and Scott Colley lines. But I've got a lot to learn.

There's obviously no room to trim height at the bridge feet to lower string height - am I OK to remove height at the top by several mm without affecting the bridge's structural integrity? I'd like to find a temporary solution to high strings until I can get to Nick Lloyd in Cincinnati for a proper setup.

Thanks for indulging me.

[TroyK]

Those are not D'Addario Orchestra strings. They are either D'Addario Pizzicato strings or (I don't think so) their solo strings.

Congrats on the new bass.

[lunarpollen]

I just received one of those basses from the same source a couple weeks ago. I hope to have it set up within a month or so with new strings, new tailgut, and a pickup.

Mine has a different bridge from yours though... Weird.....

[Andrew McGregor]

Wow, those are high.

Well, regardless of that... if your setup is going to involve adjusters in the bridge, you're probably best advised to leave it alone for now, because the luthier can take an extra slice out when fitting them. Unless, of course, you're OK with scrapping that bridge and fitting another.

But, you are correct, you can remove material from the top of the bridge safely.

[RDW]

Those are not D'Addario Orchestra strings. They are either D'Addario Pizzicato strings or (I don't think so) their solo strings.

Congrats on the new bass.

Thanks Troy - The package stuffed under the tailpiece (that contained the bridge) was for a set of Orchestras, so I assumed that's what they were. Glad to know that's not the case. What's the difference in appearance?

Mine has a different bridge from yours though... Weird.....

I especially like the pencil decoration on mine. I think that was thrown in for free.

But, you are correct, you can remove material from the top of the bridge safely.

Thanks, Andrew. I'll likely trim this one down myself and have a new one fit when I take it in for setup.

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by RDW

Thanks Troy - The package stuffed under the tailpiece (that contained the bridge) was for a set of Orchestras, so I assumed that's what they were. Glad to know that's not the case. What's the difference in appearance?

The silk near the tailpiece on Orchestras are royal blue with a yellow spiral. Hybrids are sort of teal. I've only seen the pizz and solos once (different times) and don't remember their color scheme, so it technically could be either, but they look to meaty to be solo strings, so I think you got what you ask for.

Incidentally, not a very common or popular string choice, but the one bass I saw with them was a CANNON! Sounded fantastic and the player had no technique, so that wasn't in. I fooled with it a bit and hated the bass, but liked the strings. Liked the solos when I got to try them too. Ironically, I'm not a fan of the hybrids, which are very popular. I do like the orchestras, but they're not a great choice for jazz....unless you start blending sets, but I'm in a recovery program for that.

You may want to ask about having a new bridge installed instead of having that one worked over. A luthier will have opinions about which would be best and cheapest. It might be around the same price to replace it with one they have and like better, with adjusters. Or they may look at that bridge and say "I can work with that".

I can identify the brand and gauge of strings at an arena concert, but I don't have that kind of eye for bridges. Someone, like Jake, might chime in, though.

[Bass]

Originally Posted by RDW

...I especially like the pencil decoration on mine. I think that was thrown in for free...

Ha, my Eberle has the same pencil decoration. And the bass is at the luthier's right now to set it up just like I like it

Yours is just a bit prettier than mine I think, congrats on your new bass.

[Eric Hochberg]

The helicore pizz strings are red as in your picture. The solos are brownish, I think. I would get aluminum adjusters
for your bridge, you'll then have control over your string height.