Bridges and Aging ?

kaybass1952 · #1 12-06-2006, 02:38 AM

My teacher was checking out my bass closely today, and asked me how old the bridge was. I didn't think it had ever been changed and it is a 50 year old Wilfer . He suggested that the wood on bridges might go dead after a long period. He recently had a bridge made and said it made a big diffence in the sound, which he attributted to the quality of the bridge and set-up , but also the newly cut bridge .
Interestingly I had a chat with Don Underwood (Bass pu inventor ) a few years back and he expressed the same idea . .I don't want to misquote him- but I believe he felt the string pressure compressed the cells of the wood over a period of time and deadened the sound.
I believe both my teacher and Mr Underwood felt that this only applied to bridges (although my teacher did mention something about bass bars)
Just curious if anyone out there(luthiers or otherwise) might like to weight in on this . Thanx

arnoldschnitzer · #2 12-06-2006, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaybass1952

My teacher was checking out my bass closely today, and asked me how old the bridge was. I didn't think it had ever been changed and it is a 50 year old Wilfer . He suggested that the wood on bridges might go dead after a long period. Interestingly I had a chat with Don Underwood (Bass pu inventor ) a few years back and he expressed the same idea . .I don't want to misquote him- but I believe he felt the string pressure compressed the cells of the wood over a period of time and deadened the sound.

If this is true, there are a lot of Strads and Amatis out there that must need new top plates. What you've heard is a variation on the old "your bass bar is worn out--you need a new one" scam. A bridge needs to be replaced if it is warped, no longer fits, or as part of a repair which also changes the fingerboard. However, you can definately deaden the sound of a bridge by letting accumulate a layer of rosin and dirt.

drurb · #3 12-06-2006, 07:57 AM

This was exactly my understanding. I'm happy to have it confirmed by a consummate pro.

Ed Fuqua · #4 12-06-2006, 08:50 AM

My bass must have run out of music, cause it isn't making any right now.

christ andronis · #5 12-06-2006, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

My bass must have run out of music, cause it isn't making any right now.

That crank on the back? ya gotta turn it eight or nine times....it'll fix it as good as new.