How dangerous is it when the Bridge is a little off center?

[vier-personen]

hi!

I am sure you talkbassers can give me some good advice:

I have a bridge with adjusters on my carved bass (string lenth is 101cm/39.8 inch, string height currently at the end of the FB 10cm/3.9inch on E and G, obligato). I had the top completely restored a few months ago, and since then the string position isn´t ideal (actually it never was) over the fingerboard when the bridge is in the center between the f-holes - the G-string is too wide towards the middle, the E-string to wide to the side.

I corrected this by moving the bridge to the soundpost-side a bit. Now the strings sit perfectly over the fingerboard, but what worries me is the position of the legs of the bridge. The E-string leg´s left corner (viewed from audience) is where the bassbars left boarder is, and the left leg is about finger and a half higher than the soundpost (towards the FB), but the right corner is on the same axis as the soundpost.
I heard the left leg should be excatly over the bassbar for best sound, but is this dangerous for the top?
I can´t really tell a difference with this bridge position soundwise, but I also have dead strings that I am going to change soon.

I have to go to a luthier either way, because in this position the left leg is half in the air, and it has to be fitted to the top anyway.
But, should I have it fitted for this position?
Or should I move the bridge to the bassbar again and have the luthier make me new slots for the strings on this bridge? I don´t want to buy a new bridge, if it can be avoided...

Or should I take this as an excuse to get a new brigde fitted with these:
http://www.moser-klangwerkstatt.com/...produkt1.shtml

Should I post pics?

Thanks for any advice!

[Bob Branstetter]

It sounds like the neck is not properly centered. It is sometimes possible to fit a new bridge (or refit your present bridge if there is enough wood left) to compensate for this by fitting the bridge to sit in it's proper place on the top, but cut the string notches enough off center so that the strings will be centered on the end of the fingerboard. If the neck and fingerboard are too far off center for this to work, a neck reset is indicated.

[vier-personen]

thank you for the reply, bob!

yes, the neck is not perfectly centered. I will go to a luthier and let him decide if the bridge can be refit.

[vier-personen]

I had a look at a bass with Moser´s adjusters yesterday, and I think they are very nice, you can adjust different height on both legs (the strings move a little to the side on the FB though, so your mileage may vary) and the feet sit perfectly on the top all the time. Time to visit Mr. Moser ; )