winter bass

flowinowen · #1 12-23-2010, 01:44 PM

Finally have a bass that I need to be aware of in all weather climates. I live in the mountains which makes the temp X times colder. That being said, my bridge is already sitting crooked (G string is lower) in relation to string height. With a very new instrument (born Feb, 2010) that I keep well protected, is this a weather related issue that will work itself out in spring? Or is this a bigger issue, where a luthier needs to be involved?
I also have a Realist under my low end foot. Been on since I've had it, never had problems, but its worth throwing in here.
thanks

michaeln · #2 12-23-2010, 01:53 PM

Is the soundpost still standing?

BTW, it isn't so much the cold that is the problem, as long as the immediate environment the bass is in isn't changing temperature rapidly.

The problem is that cold weather usually means low humidity, which we make even lower by running heaters in the house. You probably ought to get a hygrometer and keep track of the humidity so you don't get cracks in the plates.

flowinowen · #3 12-23-2010, 01:55 PM

yes. I use my Dampit at least 5 times a week as well.

OmnitzGarima · #4 12-23-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaeln

You probably ought to get a hygrometer and keep track of the humidity so you don't get cracks in the plates.

Yes, indeed, it's the humidity. I have the opposite problem - high humidity - but I monitor it all the time.

flowinowen · #5 12-23-2010, 02:05 PM

as of right now, I've got my bridge set to level out this issue. Am I setting myself up for disaster?

@Michaeln, the issue with cold is that I'll play gigs in Asheville, which is an hour away. Gives the bass enough time to get cold and heat up at the gig. Any input on how to warm the bass back up?

michaeln · #6 12-23-2010, 02:16 PM

Sorry, no. I live in San Francisco. We don't have weather here.

Eric Hochberg · #7 12-23-2010, 02:20 PM

Get to the gig early and leave it in the bag a while.
I don't understand what's up with your bridge exactly, but you want both adjusters, if you have them, at the same height. The bridge should be around 90 degrees through the center of the edge to the C bout plane. You can fix this yourself if it is leaning. When humidity is low, your top may be shrinking which will lower the strings. If the top shrinks, it will have more pressure over the soundpost which could be a problem if there is too much stress.

Go see James Condino in Asheville. He'll set you straight.

Don Higdon · #8 09-23-2011, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Get to the gig early and leave it in the bag a while.

I dunno, Eric; I'd get to the gig early and get it out of the bag to adapt to the room temperature and humidity before being played.

Eric Swanson · #9 09-23-2011, 07:29 AM

I would buy at least one humidifier for the bass' room. We run five in our house (a modest 1200 sf bungalow) all winter long. Healthier for the humans, too, as long as they don't become a bacterial haven. You can pick up one for $40-50, if you need to be conservative. A hygrometer can be had for, maybe $25-30.

As the bass is new, a follow-up to the luthier is probably in order, again, per Eric's suggestion. Things can move around as a bass gets used to being under tension.

Eric Swanson · #10 09-23-2011, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

I dunno, Eric; I'd get to the gig early and get it out of the bag to adapt to the room temperature and humidity before being played.

I agree with both Don and Eric:

Get there early and leave it in the bag awhile. Then, unzip it and leave it in the bag. Then, take it out and let it warm up.

Yes, you will need to get there plenty early...

Eric Hochberg · #11 09-23-2011, 08:21 AM

Confession, I have never left my bass in a bag for a while before unzipping here in Chicago, I take it out and play. Of course, my basses are well acclimated. I might be more careful with a newer bass.

Don Higdon · #12 09-23-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Swanson

I would buy at least one humidifier for the bass' room. We run five in our house (a modest 1200 sf bungalow) all winter long. Healthier for the humans, too, as long as they don't become a bacterial haven. You can pick up one for $40-50, if you need to be conservative. A hygrometer can be had for, maybe $25-30.

I believe the OP is living in a college dorm.
My hygrometers cost less than that.

Ed Fuqua · #13 09-23-2011, 10:17 AM

Ummm, this is North Carolina, not the Antarctic. The weather extremes in NYC are MUCH wider than the foothills of the Appalachians.

Without seeing detailed pictures I don't really know what you mean by "crooked" and "lower". Your strings are not going to be in a single plane, they are going to follow the arc of the fingerboard. So the G will be "lower" than the D next to it. How it the bridge crooked? Is it leaning? Are the feet not in alignment? Is it warped?
If it's leaning or out of alignment, those aren't weather issues, that's your bridge getting knocked around.

James is a great guy, the sooner you get your bass to him, the happier you'll be...