Piece of tape where string sits into bridge

tinyd · #1 06-30-2010, 09:15 AM

I bought a used DB a couple of years ago and I'm very happy with it. However, once thing slightly bothers me - there's a piece of tape sitting on the bridge where the G string sits into the bridge slot. As far as I can tell, it's there for one of two reasons - to raise the string height, or to somehow dampen the string. Does anyone know if this is 'normal', or is it some kind of (literally) sticking-plaster job to patch up a bad bridge? To my relatively inexperienced ears the G string sounds OK, so I have no real impulse to remove the tape. However, the height of the G is a little on the high side (10mm) so if removing the tape would drop this by a couple of mil I'm all for it.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Thanks.....

keiranohara · #2 06-30-2010, 06:10 PM

Often on the smaller string instruments, a piece of parchment is placed under the top string to keep them from cutting into the bridge due to the thinner bridges and thinner strings they have. You'll also see ebony inserts under the high string for the same reason.

Taking it out will have little effect on your string height, only a fraction of the tapes thickness. My two cents, if it aint baroque, dont fix it... though 10mm is a bit high for most people's tastes.

tinyd · #3 07-01-2010, 02:52 AM

Thanks keiranohara
I suppose it's possible that the bridge is slightly damaged under the string, so the tape is there to stop it splitting or something...anyhow, as you say, I should probably leave it alone and get the string height reduced by 'normal' means i.e.by taking it to a luthier

Paul Warburton · #4 07-01-2010, 06:20 AM

Somebody prolly just put it there to try to tame down the rankness of a new string. Loosen the string and take a look under there. If you don't see any damage before you pull the string, I doubt that there is any and putting a piece of tape on a bridge to stop any damage wouldn't do squat anyway. You can easily lower that string height with a fine rat-tail file and then make sure to round off the edges and put a bit of candle wax in the groove.

timobee4 · #5 07-01-2010, 07:20 AM

The previous owner might have used a bigger diameter gut string and when he sold it or even before he just put a tape in there to accomodate a thinner metal string! I its has height adjuster then lift it up and as suggested before carefully file it down keeping the shape (important if you bow) and file it in again matching the string, if you love the bridge but has no adjuster you can always order a Gollihur back adjuster (fantastic acoustically) and get your luthier to put it into your existing bridge. See what you can do!

Cody Sisk · #6 07-01-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

put a bit of candle wax in the groove.

What is this? 1902?

Montsegour · #7 07-01-2010, 01:29 PM

I've done that exact thing to cover up the buzz that my old bass would make when the string was free ( w/o that tape )
That bass was a wreck though... I hope it didn't somehow get to your hands

Bill Bentgen · #8 07-01-2010, 02:09 PM

Back in the late 1960's (and later) Pirastro strings used to come with a round rubber grommet to put between the g string and the bridge. This was to reduce the twangy/nasal/raw sound that was sometimes present with these strings. The tape might perform the same function.

Feel free to continue the thread with a discussion on the relative tonal characteristics of different colors/thicknesses of duct/adhesive/masking tape.

tinyd · #9 07-02-2010, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

...You can easily lower that string height with a fine rat-tail file and then make sure to round off the edges and put a bit of candle wax in the groove.

Thanks for that Paul - just to be clear - I should use a rat-tail file to make the groove deeper (and therefore lowering string height). Then I should sand the edges (to prevent the string from being nicked?), then put the candle wax in there before setting the string back in place?

Thanks again

Dave

Paul Warburton · #10 07-02-2010, 04:09 AM

I gotta be careful here'll Cody be making fun of me again. He's the luthier and I ain't. We used to use wax back in my day....before lead pencils and graphite. I hear he uses Astroglide.

Seriously, yeah, that's right. I wouldn't suggest this if it was the D or A sting but the G being on the outside, you have some wiggle room. Remember that the lower you go with the file, the chance that your string may buzz on the board if you get it too low.
If you've never done it before and are unsure you should just go to a bass luthier.

RustyAxe · #11 07-02-2010, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Bentgen

Back in the late 1960's (and later) Pirastro strings used to come with a round rubber grommet to put between the g string and the bridge. This was to reduce the twangy/nasal/raw sound that was sometimes present with these strings. The tape might perform the same function.

My new Spirocore Orch Mittels came with a little rubber/plastic tube, 1/4" long, on the D string, presumably for that purpose. I don't use it, though.

Cody Sisk · #12 07-02-2010, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

I gotta be careful here'll Cody be making fun of me again. He's the luthier and I ain't. We used to use wax back in my day....before lead pencils and graphite. I hear he uses Astroglide.

Seriously, yeah, that's right. I wouldn't suggest this if it was the D or A sting but the G being on the outside, you have some wiggle room. Remember that the lower you go with the file, the chance that your string may buzz on the board if you get it too low.
If you've never done it before and are unsure you should just go to a bass luthier.

Who's spiking the punchbowl now Paul?

I save my Astroglide for other purposes..

Besides, no pencils or graphite back in your day Paul? Just how old are you? I believe the pencil was invented in the 16th century..

tinyd · #13 07-02-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

...Seriously, yeah, that's right. I wouldn't suggest this if it was the D or A sting but the G being on the outside, you have some wiggle room. Remember that the lower you go with the file, the chance that your string may buzz on the board if you get it too low.
If you've never done it before and are unsure you should just go to a bass luthier.

The thing is, I'm almost used to the current 10mm so if I do lower it it'll be only 1-2mm so I'll be verrrry careful. I promise not to complain if I make a mess of it! I'd like to lower the height just enough to notice it - if it turns out that I like it low I'll take it to a luthier and get it done to all the strings. I'm just too tight to pay for the initial minor tweak, that's all

bigolbassguy · #14 07-03-2010, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinyd

Thanks for that Paul - just to be clear - I should use a rat-tail file to make the groove deeper (and therefore lowering string height). Then I should sand the edges (to prevent the string from being nicked?), then put the candle wax in there before setting the string back in place?

Thanks again

Dave

You're talking about a needle file, right? You want the groove to be the right width. Also, you don't want it to be very deep. less than 1/2 the string thickness. Nothing against Astroglide, but scribbling on the notch wiith a #2 pencil works great for lubrication. (he wrote, to a resounding chorus of 'that's what she said')

Paul Warburton · #15 07-03-2010, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DallasStrings

Who's spiking the punchbowl now Paul?

I save my Astroglide for other purposes..

Besides, no pencils or graphite back in your day Paul? Just how old are you? I believe the pencil was invented in the 16th century..

Well, gee, Cody.....yes, I'm sometimes known as "The old guy" around here so I was making fun of myoldself by mentioning that I was around before those things were.
Why do I have to explain these things to you?

Cody Sisk · #16 07-03-2010, 08:44 AM

<---- Points at self..

sjd007 · #17 07-07-2010, 07:40 PM

On my bass, the G was biting into the bridge a little (not such a good bridge I reckoned) so took it to the local luthier and asked if I needed a new bridge ? mine too soft. He said it was fine and just slipped (and glued in place with hide glue by the looks) a small bit of vellum under the string. Sounds fine. No more biting in. I'm sold.

Cody Sisk · #18 07-07-2010, 08:45 PM

Another option is to carve out a half-circle around the groove for the G and glue in an ebony insert. That for-sure won't dig in..

sjd007 · #19 07-07-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DallasStrings

Another option is to carve out a half-circle around the groove for the G and glue in an ebony insert. That for-sure won't dig in..

And that would certainly look a lot better! Will keep that in mind... cheers.