Best way to lower string height; adjusters are bottomed out

[IdealWay]

HI,

I've been pretty happy with the setup on my Shen ply, but now that I'm venturing into thumb position more I'm finding that my string height is causing unnecessary stress on my left hand. It's about medium right now (~1/4"), but after playing a friends brand new Shen the other day (setup at Bob Beerman's shop, played beautifully), I realized that I need to lower my height. I do have an adjustable bridge, but the wheels are bottomed out so from what I've gathered I can either take wood off the bridge feet () or from the string grooves. I'm also considering just getting a new bridge (mine is the Shen factory bridge which is pretty crappy) and having it set for lower string height. Would filing out the grooves to the right depth be a relatively easy job for me to do, at least until I get a new bridge? Would the cost of having my factory bridge modified be worth it or should I go for a new, upgraded one? Thanks ahead of time.

[PaulCannon]

Originally Posted by IdealWay

HI,

I've been pretty happy with the setup on my Shen ply, but now that I'm venturing into thumb position more I'm finding that my string height is causing unnecessary stress on my left hand. It's about medium right now (~1/4"), but after playing a friends brand new Shen the other day (setup at Bob Beerman's shop, played beautifully), I realized that I need to lower my height. I do have an adjustable bridge, but the wheels are bottomed out so from what I've gathered I can either take wood off the bridge feet () or from the string grooves. I'm also considering just getting a new bridge (mine is the Shen factory bridge which is pretty crappy) and having it set for lower string height. Would filing out the grooves to the right depth be a relatively easy job for me to do, at least until I get a new bridge? Would the cost of having my factory bridge modified be worth it or should I go for a new, upgraded one? Thanks ahead of time.

There are several possibilities, but re-cutting (and re-fitting) bridge feet and filing the string grooves are not among them. You may not have very much room to go on the feet and re-fitting the bridge to the top is time-consuming regardless. Additionally, the strings need to be resting on top of the bridge, not inside it. No more than 30% of the string's circumference should be touching the bridge at the point of contact. This is also true at the nut.

The easiest thing to do would be to have the top of the bridge re-cut. This is an easy job for an experienced luthier and shouldn't cost too much money. A new bridge is possibly a better, if more expensive, option. In my experience, a good bridge made of nice wood makes an enormous difference in quality of sound and volume.

It is also possible the real issue is not the bridge height, but the scoop of the fingerboard. Keep in mind the fingerboard is meant to have an arc extending from either end of the board, the lowest point being in the middle. If you press your g-string down onto both ends of the fingerboard, you can clearly see this curve. The widest part of that gap on my solo bass is 2 mm. A deep fingerboard scoop will make the strings feel very high even if the bridge is perfectly adjusted.

[Steve Swan]

Take it to Beerman's shop and get the legs cut down a little. The cost will be minimal. They might be able to do it while you go have lunch nearby.

[eh_train]

Just to be absolutely clear, what's being discussed is taking a slice of wood out of the MIDDLE of the bridge (either just above or just below the adjuster). This is the quickest way (assuming you don't mess up the adjuster threads) to lower the bridge. You don't have to re-fit the feet or re-cut the crown.

Cheers,

Paul

[basswraith]

Make sure the bridge is not leaning toward the FB. When that happens the string height goes up and it feels tight and difficult to play. Make sure the back of the bridge is straight up and down. If its not, carefully push the bridge back toward the tail piece . You will notice the strings will lower them selves toward the FB. Don't go too far or the bridge will just pop off.

Good luck
Michael Hartery

[bigolbassguy]

The adjusters should be raised a bit before re-cutting the crown of the bridge. They sound best with a few threads exposed. If there's enough space between the heart and the crown and the crown is sufficiently thick it should be a pretty simple task for your luthier.