bridge placement, notches and 42 inches?

sidonbass · #1 12-06-2007, 04:04 PM

I recently received my new Strunal 5-35 Bass. I certainly assume it is a 3/4 size. The bridge is centered with the notches pointing to the middle of the bridge feet....correct I assume. After playing, it seemed different than my Azola EUB. The fingerboard stretch seems bigger and the octave notes seem to be further up the neck. I then measured from the front of the nut to the top of the bridge and got 42 inches. The Azsola is 41 and 1/2. What does all this mean. Do I have a 7/8 bass here? hope not!

MingusAmongUs · #2 12-06-2007, 04:33 PM

Different basses have different scales/mensures, that's all. It may take some time for you to get used to the difference but it doesn't mean anything really as far as size or setup. It is what it is. A 3/4 bass can measure anywhere from 40-43", give or take, if I have my info right. I have an Epiphone and a New Standard, both are considered 3/4, but they are vastly different in dimension. Scale on the NS is around 42", whereas on the Epi it's closer to 40". They also differ in bout size, rib depth, body length, etc. Actually the New Standard is described as a "larger 3/4 - small 7/8". It's all relative and subjective.

JoeyNaeger · #3 12-06-2007, 04:35 PM

It just means you have a 3/4 bass with a 42" string length. The double bass isn't standardized very well in terms of size and shape so you have to look at a variety of factors to determine size. For basses that are 3/4 on up, 41" to 42" seems to be a normal string length based on my experience.

sidonbass · #4 12-06-2007, 04:56 PM

Also, does this mean it is an Eb neck because at the heal it's an Eb not a D like my Azola. The bass sounds good but the difference will take some getting used to.

jisbass · #5 12-06-2007, 06:07 PM

What everyone said so far are all correct.
Strunals do have an Eb neck.
The Strunal I used to have, had a string length less than 42". Maybe 41.5?
According to the strunal website, the string length of a 3/4 bass should be 1050mm, or 41.338.... inches. This can vary from bass to bass though, even if they are from a same maker.

Just in case, you should make sure that the bridge is on straight, and not tilted back. Also, if your string height is high, the S.L. will be slightly longer, and vise versa.

If all these check out ok, then you just have to get used to it.
42" isn't too bad.

Silversorcerer · #6 12-07-2007, 11:55 AM

I remember a fellow posting a while back that also had a Strunal with a 42" mensur. It might be that their specs have changed over the years. As far as the Eb / D neck thing goes, that was harder for me to get used to than longer string length. I had both problems when I switched from an Eb 41.5 inch to a D 43". Mostly I have trouble with the C / C# because that is where I usually jump to. I figure in a couple of years I will get over it. It is nice to have instruments that all match, but if I were you, I'd work on getting the EUB to match the DB, if you like the Strunal.

One thing I did like about the Eb neck;- when I played in horn keys (Db, Eb, Bb, etc.), I had a nice solid reference at the heel for the Eb, etc. Sometimes I miss that.