Would An Incorrect Bridge Deaden the Sound?

jgbass · #1 08-08-2008, 03:40 PM

I am just curious. I have a Chinese Sunrise Laguna bass that was set up just last year and it just has such an unlively sound lately. It is just not projecting. The strings are not that old (Obligatos) and it has not been used that much. It looks like the soundpost is set correctly and the bridge seems to be in the correct position and was designed specifically for this type of bass, though maybe not for this specific bass.

The luthier suggested the problem is an incorrectly designed bridge. I am fine with him trying another bridge, but that is going to cost me. I do respect this luthier's opinion.

My question is really about how much a bridge can contribute to the quality of the sound on a bass. There is a lot of talk about strings, and certainly different strings can affect the sound of a bass, but I just am not sold on the idea that a bridge that was specifically designed for this bass could be the problem.

Any comments welcome.

nathanmcnathan · #2 08-08-2008, 05:41 PM

Post a pic of the bridge, that'll help.

bolo · #3 08-08-2008, 06:23 PM

Janette, did your luthier say why they felt the bridge was "incorrect?" And is this the same luthier that did the setup on it last year?

You said "lately." Has it sounded better before and just recently deteriorated?

Sorry to answer your question w/ more questions. But there could be many reasons.

All that said, your luthier probably knows far more than me anyway.

bassbuddie · #4 08-08-2008, 06:35 PM

I changed my bridge lately. I had a cheap thin bridge. I changed it for a good maple bridge, done by a good luthier. Big improvement. I mean a very big improvement. I have a fully carved bass.

jgbass · #5 08-09-2008, 02:50 PM

The luthier stated that the bass bridge was too thin to be correct for this bass and, no, he did not set this up originally. It is really difficult to figure out when the problem began. I have moved a few times this year and my practice room area is always different as far as sound. But, I was comparing my bass' sound to my teacher's and it sounded really flat, and then the luthier gave the same feedback. He exact words were "lack of projection." I am running over the to shop right now and I think I will ask more questions.

bassbuddie, thanks for your input. That's really what I want to hear... that changing the bridge can cause a big improvement in sound.

jgbass · #6 09-04-2008, 07:17 PM

I got my bass back from the shop a week or so ago. What a difference with the new bridge, but, then again, there was also a seam rip that needed to be repaired, and I had a new set of Obligatos put on. Also, the thing about the new bridge is that the action is set higher. At first I did not like it, but decided to give it a try, and now I am sold on a higher height. Can dig in better and the bowing is easier. More clarify.

No problems projecting.

JimGullen · #7 09-05-2008, 05:10 AM

Greetings!

I'm glad to hear that your bass is doing better after it's "tune up".

All of those things you listed...individually...could hurt your tone.

Just a FYI....I had a set of Obligatos on my bass a number of years ago and really liked the tone...initially. They "died" faster than any other strings I have ever used. They had lost a lot of their initial "brightness" (what brightness they had) after a couple of months....the extended E went even faster.

I have a turn of the (20th) century carved german shop bass. I play virtually 100% orchestral, so they just didn't work well for me, tone-wise, after a few months. Pizz/jazz might be another story....I know a lot of people like them for pizz.

Just another piece of information for you. I'm not slamming the Obligatos for everyone, they just didn't work for me and my bass.

Best regards!

Jim