the effects of weather on bass

[KEVINTHES]

howdy yalls, anyways i was wondering if temperature affected bridge saddles or what exactly can cause them to shift ie temperature change possibly? or putting on a higher gauge string? or accidentally stringing the bass so that the string is not in the indention in the bridge saddle? does the bridge ever shift? and if so in which direction due to what?

[electroken]

I've noticed changes in tuning from both temperature and humidity changes. I see this more in my crappy basses than in my swamp ash Carvin.

Increasing temperature lowers string tension (and therefore pitch) while decreasing temperature raises pitch. These changes are quick and noticeable for large temperature swings like playing in 95F then moving to an air conditioned room.

I've also seen gradual tuning changes that track long-term humidity changes. As far as I can tell this is caused by small expansions and contractions of the neck and body woods.

Eventually I stop thinking about it and just play the damned things.

[JimmyM]

the bridge doesn't shift in cold weather. the neck is usually the culprit.

[thesilence]

The only problems i've had in cold weather is the wiring became brittle and broke while warming up for a gig luckily I had my trusty soldering iron with me. It may have just been a bad solder in the first place though that caused it. Never had a problem with the bridge shifting.