bridge hight

[JStevenR]

Can i get more volume by getting a taller bridge? the strings has very low action

[D McCartney]

Maybe. There are many variables. My first suggestion is talk to a luthier who can look at your bass and recommend the best course for more volume. Things like Bridge/string height, soundpost placement and fit, tailpiece, string type or a combination.

[Jake deVilliers]

Its possible - maybe you could have adjusters installed in your present bridge - but do as McCartney suggested and get together with a bass luthier with some experience. It will save a lot of charging madly off in all directions in search of tone.

[Nohandles]

13/32 has been a great height for me to play at but I notices a new Englehardt like mine that had more but the strings were over 5/8 high. Really uncomfortable to play. So I took my bridge adjusters and raised the bass up to a 1/2 and man what a difference. More volume, sustain and resonance. I has the qualities of a really good old Kay.

[JStevenR]

thanks , is a ajustable bridge a good way to go?

[shadygrove]

Originally Posted by JStevenR

thanks , is a ajustable bridge a good way to go?

I like having an adjustable bridge. I rarely play amplified, but I take the string height down a little when I do so I can get around a little faster and with less effort.

If you have a hybrid or carved bass string height usually changes more with the seasons than with a laminate... some folks have a "winter bridge" and a "summer bridge"... with an adjustable you only need one.

Also handy if you switch to strings with different tension than before (such as steel to gut) to be able to tweak the bridge up and down to see what sounds and feels the best.

[Nohandles]

Originally Posted by JStevenR

thanks , is a ajustable bridge a good way to go?

I have adjustable bridges on all of my basses and they have been a good addition to the basses, especially on the solid wood bass. I'm sure there is a detectable difference but I can't hear it with my tin ear.

[Jake deVilliers]

Even with plywood basses there can a lot of seasonal movement. We recently had a month of cold, dry air from the Interior which dropped our relative humidity from ~45% down to ~25% and the resident basses here all needed to have their bridges cranked upwards to make them playable.

Adjusters will definitely affect the sound but its worth it for the flexibility. Especially if you are a newer player, being able to hear and feel the difference between having your G string at 5, 6 or 7 mm is helpful.

You might also check the String Height Poll here: String Height Poll

[Tim Skaggs]

Q: Can i get more volume by getting a taller bridge? the strings has very low action.

A: Yes, YOU can.

I've discovered that most basses don't gain in volume from raising the strings a few millimeters (I said "most"), however, with higher action, the player can really dig in with the side of the plucking finger and get huge string excursion which equals more volume. The trade-off is playability with the left hand (for right hand players, of course).

Your objective is to get to the middle ground, where you can get some big string movement and still handle the string height with the left hand.

A good method of doing this is to put in some playing hours with the strings just slightly lower than the height that feels comfortable. Eventually you will develop a technique for getting volume out of the bass with the strings at that height.