Soundpost adjustment

[moopants]

How often is it necessary to have it adjusted?

[Andrew McGregor]

Only if either something goes wrong, or you're changing other parts of the setup (bridge, tailpiece, nut). It's a setup item.

Changing the position can help set up for the kind of sound you want, but that's not strictly necessary; once you find a position you like, it only needs moved again if something changes. Mine didn't move for 15 years at one stage, because there was no need.

[foilracer]

..is there any chance a soundpost adjustment could lead to
a "brighter sound" on stage (orchestra arco/ not jazz pizz amp)...(that is of course after installing
Spirocore strings)...OR is there a DIFFERENT step to take that
might add "brightness" BEFORE installing Spirocore strings?

(goal)..."hearing self on stage"......thanks for any comments
about sound post adjustments....

[Eric Rene Roy]

Originally Posted by foilracer

(goal)..."hearing self on stage"......thanks for any comments
about sound post adjustments....

I'm sure Arnold won't mind me posting a link to his work!



Correct me if I'm wrong here Arnold, but this was the goal, right?

I know James Condino did one similar on his bass too...I'm just not locating any pics of his right now...(James...where are they on your site?)

What's the verdict? Goal accomplished?

[foilracer]

...shall I use that procedure on my 1890's bass?....it shouldn't
be too difficult to accomplish and I can do the work myself!

...actually, I have an acoustic guitar with electronics removed
from the upper shoulder...similar to your picture and it does work quite well. Thanks for the photo!

[james condino]

Hi Eric. Thanks for the quick mention.('My apologies for my ancient website....) Here is the link to the entire thread on the ported bass:

james' bass build


Here is the direct image of the port in its current state:



As for the results, after six months of using it and making a few modifications, I'm hooked! If you read through the build thread, at first it was a little on the small side and I felt like not much was happening. After a bit of opening it up and experimentation, I REALLY like the results.

Keep in mind that this was not my first ported instrument, and it is not for everyone. I've built approx. 30 mandolins and guitars utilizing some variation on the theme since 1995 and I've probably played and worked on another 50-100 or more over at Dream Guitars. 'Not reccommended on your 1890 bass.......

By the way, I saw the Infamous String Dusters last night at the Orange Peel here in town playing one of your basses and using one of your pickups and the sound was INCREDIBLE. Not so much like a double bass, but almost like a hip hop club or rave mix where the bass completely dominated and owned every tune in a band where all the fellows were outstanding! Lets just say that the ladies were a bumpin' and grindin' away with a big smile all during the show....

j.

[Eric Rene Roy]

Originally Posted by james condino

...Lets just say that the ladies were a bumpin' and grindin' away with a big smile all during the show...

...and now you know why everyone loves our basses...it happens at every show...it's in the fine print when you buy that this will happen...

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Originally Posted by foilracer

..is there any chance a soundpost adjustment could lead to
a "brighter sound" on stage (orchestra arco/ not jazz pizz amp)...(that is of course after installing
Spirocore strings)...OR is there a DIFFERENT step to take that
might add "brightness" BEFORE installing Spirocore strings?

(goal)..."hearing self on stage"......thanks for any comments
about sound post adjustments....

I am certainly no luthier but in my limited experience, moving the post closer to the bridge MAY give a more focused sound. Other things that made my bass brighter were replacing the nylon tailpiece cord with aircraft cable and switching to aluminum adjusters.
These adjustments made an audible improvement but were not as significant as changing to new Spirocores though.
YMMV.

[bluegrass1946]

Originally Posted by Eric Rene Roy

I'm sure Arnold won't mind me posting a link to his work!



Correct me if I'm wrong here Arnold, but this was the goal, right?

I know James Condino did one similar on his bass too...I'm just not locating any pics of his right now...(James...where are they on your site?)

What's the verdict? Goal accomplished?

I wonder if that would impede the forward projection out of the f-holes ???

[bluegrass1946]

Originally Posted by clink

I am certainly no luthier but in my limited experience, moving the post closer to the bridge MAY give a more focused sound. Other things that made my bass brighter were replacing the nylon tailpiece cord with aircraft cable and switching to aluminum adjusters.
These adjustments made an audible improvement but were not as significant as changing to new Spirocores though.
YMMV.

"Brighter" may not always be better. A "warm" sound is desirable in some applications.

[james condino]

Stop by and check it out for yourself.

j.

[Eric Hochberg]

Originally Posted by bluegrass1946

I wonder if that would impede the forward projection out of the f-holes ???

When I heard that model being played, it didn't sound like anything was impeding it's sound. It sounded great, one of my favorites at the ISB. Arnold had plugs for the holes, too.