Sound post too far South?

[farmerdude]

Situation: I have a bass with a long scale - about 43.5" and I moved the bridge North about 1" without changing the soundpost position. This leaves the sound post about 1.5" (or maybe a bit more) South of the bridge. I like the sound of the bass with this setup....but.....

Question: Is this too much of a gap? Will/can it cause damage to the top?

[drurb]

The problem is that you're trying to shorten the scale by moving the bridge. In my book (and the books of many others) that's a no-no. The bridge is meant to be between the inner f-hole nicks (assuming the bass has them). If you want to shorten the scale, that's best done by a luthier via one or more of several methods.

[Rebop]

Sounds like a bad idea and an invitation for all kinds of problems including a nice soundpost crack.

[Eric Hochberg]

Your bass may be better off with a false (lowered) nut with/without a bridge move of .5" or so, rather than the large 1" move up. But you should have a luthier check it out. Maybe the post can be moved up with the bridge with no harm. The bridge on one of my basses is .5" up from the nicks and everything is fine. Of course, the soundpost is in the correct position relative to the bridge.

[farmerdude]

Thanks for the response.

More info: I had a soundpost patch installed a few years ago. Bridge was move up 2 weeks ago. The bridge (in current position) is not totally outside of the f-hole notch area (but on the extreme upper limit).


False nut: I once played a bass (from the same maker) with a false nut- I didnt like it at all. Dont think I could get use to it especially switching between as many basses as I do....

You guys have confirmed my concern and I should take it to the luthier this week to check it out. I think I'll sleep better that way.....

[farmerdude]

[Eric Hochberg]

That looks like .5" up to me. Normal spot is feet centered on the nicks. Your bridge looks tilted up (or warped). Loosen the strings a whole step or more, and push down on both sides of the bridge to get it on a right angle with the top.

[Steve Swan]

Cheating your bridge up by what is shown in the photo isn't extreme. Depending on how the top is arched, you may have to have another soundpost cut and installed for this bridge position. Save the old one for when you want to sell the bass. Good luck!