1/2 Bridge on 3/4 Bass....(Funkiest Bridge Ever, Part Deux)

[rusag2]

Some of you may have seen my Funkiest Bridge Ever thread.

I had the bass set up by Stein on Vine in Los Angeles. Because of neck projection issue, he went with a 1/2 bridge on my 3/4 Epiphone B4. Well, needless to say, the feet are too narrow so they're not correctly positioned.

But what's curious is that the sound bar is probably 4" away from the foot of the bridge. These two things both raise eyebrows for me.

I'm no pro but from what I've read, this is...well, suboptimal at best. Any thoughts?

[Gearhead43]

You need to have the neck issue fixed correctly, and have the bass set up correctly - by a competent luthier this time.

[rusag2]

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

by a competent luthier this time.

Pretty harsh words. A quick search on TalkBass reveals that Stein on Vine is a pretty highly regarded luthier. Not of the Lisa Gass caliber, but well-respected none the less.

But, thanks for your opinion.

[Gearhead43]

Originally Posted by rusag2

Pretty harsh words. A quick search on TalkBass reveals that Stein on Vine is a pretty highly regarded luthier. Not of the Lisa Gass caliber, but well-respected none the less.

But, thanks for your opinion.

You just told us that he or she put a 1/2 size bridge on your 3/4 bass, and did not address the neck projection issue on your bass. Sorry but that doesn't seem very competent, unless there's something you aren't telling us - like that you requested a bandaid fix instead of the correct one.

Why are you not having the real issue addressed? It irks me when I see a great old vintage bass being Mickey-Moused like that. If it were mine I would be trying to restore it, not just throwing parts at it.

[rusag2]

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

You just told us that he or she put a 1/2 size bridge on your 3/4 bass, and did not address the neck projection issue on your bass. Sorry but that doesn't seem very competent, unless there's something you aren't telling us - like that you requested a bandaid fix instead of the correct one.

Why are you not having the real issue addressed? It irks me when I see a great old vintage bass being Mickey-Moused like that. If it were mine I would be trying to restore it, not just throwing parts at it.

Just curious....are you deliberately trying to be confrontational and offensive or is that simply a part of your nature?

[1st Bass]

Seems to me, as a neutral observer, that the man was attempting to confront the problem, not you, nor your luthier. You took offense at his suggesting that the first "fix" was not done in a workmanlike manner; he attempted to explain why he saw it that way. Nothing offensive, that I can see.

On the other hand, some people take double basses more seriously than others, and he may find the seemingly "cobbled" repair job to be on the offensive side. I can see his point of view, but, ultimately, grand old bass or no, "it is a wooden box...". (...I tell myself, trying to not be disturbed by some of the horror stories that show up on TB)

Hope you can figure out your bass.

Chet

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by rusag2

But what's curious is that the sound bar is probably 4" away from the foot of the bridge.

Do you mean the bass bar or the sound post? I don't see how the bass bar could be 4" away from a bridge foot even with a 1/2 size bridge, unless it was on the other side of the f holes! The E string side bridge foot should be centered over the bass bar and the soundpost is positioned 1" or so below the G string side foot. And the bridge should be centered between the f holes and at the knicks.

[rusag2]

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

Do you mean the bass bar or the sound post? I don't see how the bass bar could be 4" away from a bridge foot even with a 1/2 size bridge, unless it was on the other side of the f holes! The E string side bridge foot should be centered over the bass bar and the soundpost is positioned 1" or so below the G string side foot. And the bridge should be centered between the f holes.

Sorry, the "sound post" was what I meant. Bridge is centered correctly, the E String bridge foot is a little inside the bass bar, and the sound post is about 4" south of the G-side bridge foot.

[Eric Hochberg]

Maybe you should take it to Lisa Gass or someone of that caliber and have a soundpost fitted and placed in a more traditional place. And get their overall opinion of the bridge, etc. while you are at it.

[bigolbassguy]

Just a guess - but I'll bet that your bass has no punch, projection, volume, and the sound is really flabby and muddy. What you describe sounds like a recipe for all of these symptoms. At the very least, you need a bridge with feet wide enough that it will sit directly on the bass bar and still be centered/in line with the fingerboard. Find a luthier who knows how basses work, and will help you spend as little $$ on it as possible to make it playable. See what they have to say about your soundpost as well.

[bigolbassguy]

Just noticed that I basically repeated what you already said, Eric. dee-d-dee.

[bigolbassguy]

The thing I'm most curious about - what happened to the neck? Anything? Is there any damage anywhere?

[powerbass]

You may already know about this website - bassmonkey.net, but I just saw they are researching Epiphone basses - thought you might want to check it out
http://www.bassmonkey.net/contact.html