Is it ok?

spikesstickies · #1 10-15-2007, 11:38 AM

I just had a new bridge fitted onto my bass, my luthier did a pretty good job fitting it but there are limitations as he is mainly a violin specialist.

Now comes the problem, my bridge, although perpendicular to the table, is slightly off the alignment markers of the F-holes (about a 1/4 inch). I only noticed recently because I used a straight edge to realigned my feet (adjusters got them spinning around quite a bit). I just wanted to know if it was ok to leave it in the state that it is now or should I realign it to the markers? I would take some pictures but I left my camera in church.

For that matter, I noticed there are two sets of markers, one pointing into the bass and on pointing out of the bass (the ones of the f-holes). What are the outer ones used for?

Thanks in advance!

spikesstickies · #2 10-15-2007, 12:04 PM

One more thing, how do I accurately measure how perpendicular the bridge is to the table?

Jake deVilliers · #3 10-15-2007, 10:21 PM

Paperback books are very square, as is 8 1/2 x 11 printer/copier/looseleaf paper.

Hold it against the back of the bridge and the top of the belly to check for squareness.

spikesstickies · #4 10-28-2007, 10:31 AM

Sorry I took a while to get back. Managed to pull the bridge back into place just by relieving some tension off the table, I used two straight edges as references and another to measure the distances between the f-holes and the feet and also the feet to the neck. I couldn't use the paper book as a square due to the adjusters on my bridge, didn't allow the book to sit properly, so I used a regular set square as a rough gauge to make sure it was up perpendicular. I left a bit of allowance so the tuning would pull it back up.

It really did a huge difference in tone, it sounds a lot less 'choked' now especially on the bass side, the treble side resonates more as well. Overall it projects better and playability is also maximized. The string height distribution is a lot more even now compared to last time where the feet were too near the neck and action was a little too high. Thanks for all the help anyway!

Don Higdon · #5 10-29-2007, 08:05 PM

When you get the feet where you want them and the bridge perpendicular, do two things:
1. Measure the string length and write it down.
2. With a soft lead pencil and straight edge, draw lines on the bass top at the corners of the bridge feet so you can always restore the bridge to the right place.