New Bridge Needed

[MikeyMcMike]

Hey guys,

I need a new bridge for my bass. This is just my back up bass. It is a Shine active 5 string. I cant find the name of it anywhere and its about 2 years old so I have thrown away the box. I have put in an image of it below.

I need a new bridge for it and I am having real trouble finding what a good bridge would be. Throw all suggestions at me altho I dont want to be spending a lot on a new on if at all possible as this is only my back up as I use a Fender Mexican Jazz. I would love to use it more but the main problem is the action is too high for my liking. I have lowered the bridge to the lowest it can go. I have taken it to a pro but they said a new bridge would be needed.

I have looked at a variety of bridges but to no avail. Can anyone help?

Cheers

[Pilgrim]

Changing that bridge would be a project, and you haven't indicated what you have done to correct the problem.

Have you had a pro check the setup of that instrument and go through it? The first thing to do is have a good setup done...don't start changing parts until you know for certain that the parts are faulty or won't do what you need done.

[MikeyMcMike]

I have lowered the bridge to the lowest it can go and also adjusted the trust rod (one by a pro). I have taken it to a pro but they said a new bridge would be needed.

[Nev375]

Truss rod. Not trust rod.

It's something you use to reinforce the neck, not something you are willing to leave alone with your wife.

[MikeyMcMike]

Maybe the truss rod wasnt touched, it was a wee while back i took it took a pro to be honest. I have been researching for ages and got no closer to finding a solution...

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by MikeyMcMike

I have lowered the bridge to the lowest it can go and also adjusted the trust rod (one by a pro). I have taken it to a pro but they said a new bridge would be needed.

I find that hard to believe, but "pros" come in many shapes and sizes. If it's a pro at Guitar Center or a comparable place, I would be strongly inclined to distrust that opinion. The chances that a manufacturer would ship a bass with a bridge that won't allow an appropriate range of adjustment are quite small.

OTOH, the chances that an inexperienced tech night blame a bridge are relatively high. He might also not think of modifications you could make to the bridge which would solve the problem.

If the pro is a luthier or experienced repairman, I'd be more concerned, but I'd still look for a second opinion. That bass is really pretty and I'd hate for you to have to re-work the bridge. PLEASE keep up your research before changing parts.

And I think a complete setup - done by someone who knows what he is doing - will be part of the solution.

Please continue the discussion while we wait for people like 202DY and Walter to come along and give you better and more experienced opinions.

[testing1two]

As long as it's a bolt-on neck, all you need is a neck shim.

[MikeyMcMike]

To fair the bass did cost me £150 new, I needed a 5 string for a band I was in at the time and I was shocked with how good it was, hence why I have never sold it. Sadly here in Northern Ireland a quality guitar shop is hard to find let alone a quality guitar pro but I will take it to a guy in a shop a bit further down the country with quite a good rep.

Thanks for your replies and help.

[testing1two]

Here's a visual explanation of a neck shim:

[Pilgrim]

I agree that if it's a bolt-on neck, a thin shim will probably solve the problem. If it's a set neck, it's a bit more complex.

There is a TON of information on TB about how to add a shim. One thickness of a business card is often enough, and it's only a few minutes' work to do it.

[MikeyMcMike]

Just found that image. Thankfully the neck is bolt on. Thanks guys.

[Pilgrim]

Since you may be on your own, use the stickies on this forum to review setup procedures - you can do it yourself, and shimming is really quite easy...but it's just one part of the process.