Bridge questions

[Steve Boisen]

1) Is it acceptable/normal for the E and A strings to be 4mm closer together than the other strings?

2) Shouldn't the E string be about centered on the Romberg bevel?

3) Is is acceptable to have a small gap in between the bass top and the outer edge of the E string foot?

4) Could this gap be the reason my Realist pickup does not work well on this bass?

- Steve

[Jake deVilliers]

1) No

2) Not necessarily

3) No

4) Possibly, but its more likely to be an issue with the centre of the foot

[Steve Boisen]

Thanks Jake, that's what I thought. I'm going to bring my bass back to the luthier and ask that he fix the string space and bridge foot.

- Steve

[keiranohara]

As to point number 1, are you measuring the strings edge to edge or center to center?

[Steve Boisen]

Originally Posted by keiranohara

As to point number 1, are you measuring the strings edge to edge or center to center?

Edge to edge.

- Steve

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Steve Boisen

Edge to edge.

- Steve

Not that it changes your situation but I lay out bridge notches centre to centre - especially arco, we don't play the spaces, we play the high points of the strings.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Steve Boisen

Here's a few pictures of the bridge showing the string spacing and the gap on the bridge foot:
- Steve

Back to the luthier... definitely.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

It looks like you have plenty of wood to take it off the top, getting the string spacing right and probably giving a bit of space at the adjusters for going lower. That foot definitely needs work.

[tstone]

Looks like at some point someone lowered the string height on the treble side by paring the bridge foot rather than re-crowning the top. Between that, the string spacing issue, and the poor fit to the top, maybe it's time to think about a new bridge.

[PaulCannon]

Kind of looks like somebody forgot to use a compass. Getting string spacings just right is not difficult.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass_(drafting)

[Steve Boisen]

Originally Posted by tstone

Looks like at some point someone lowered the string height on the treble side by paring the bridge foot rather than re-crowning the top. Between that, the string spacing issue, and the poor fit to the top, maybe it's time to think about a new bridge.

It is a new bridge. The previous bridge was not adjustable and part of one of the bridge feet was missing.

I just had a very experienced luthier cut this Despiau bridge for my bass. That's why I am puzzled by the string spacing and bridge foot. I've e-mailed the luthier to make an appointment and have these items addressed.

- Steve

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

That bridge looks like my work. What Jake said, and/or find another luthier.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Steve Boisen

It is a new bridge. The previous bridge was not adjustable and part of one of the bridge feet was missing.

I just paid nearly $300 to purchase this Despiau bridge and have it fit to this bass by an experienced luthier. That's why I am puzzled by the string spacing and bridge foot. I've e-mailed the luthier to make an appointment and have these items addressed.

- Steve

I don't usually throw my fellow repairmen under the bus but to be honest, I think that bridge is fugly. Its not functionally correct ie fit and spacing are bad, and its aesthetically challenged besides.

Its too bad he (she?) spent so much time carving the heart and the hips and so little time making sure the feet fit the top properly. The little vellum protector under the 'G' string suggests that the guy is a violin repairman...

[JoeyNaeger]

I really can't stand to see bridges with pencil marks left on by the luthier when they installed the adjustors.

[forester]

you're only as good as your last violin.

[Eric Rene Roy]

My wife, who has never cut a bridge, just said "whoa!" looking over my shoulder as I was looking at those pics...

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Eric Rene Roy

My wife, who has never cut a bridge, just said "whoa!" looking over my shoulder as I was looking at those pics...

She may never have cut a bridge but she apparently knows what they're supposed to look like!

[Steve Boisen]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

The little vellum protector under the 'G' string suggests that the guy is a violin repairman...

I don't want to identify the luthier by name but you are correct.

Do you spot anything wrong with this bridge besides the items I asked about?

- Steve

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by Steve Boisen

I don't want to identify the luthier by name but you are correct.

Do you spot anything wrong with this bridge besides the items I asked about?

- Steve

I'm not going to throw the guy under the bus in public. If you want to email me at jake@thebassspa.com I'll discuss it with you.

[JoeyNaeger]

I don't want to refute anything that's been said, but I would like it to be noted that there are violin repairmen who do excellent work on basses.