There is something wrong with my bridge...

[detection]

(Or maybe it's my bass, in the bridge area?)

I've had my bass since around fifth grade, so it's around 6-7 years old now. When I was younger, I guess I didn't really know any better, and my mom tried to help with my bridge issues... I'm taking an interest in bass again, and now that I'm a bit older, I'm realising that this is prooobably not normal.

So when my mom attempted to help - and let me say, if not for her, my bass would not be playable, so even if this was the worst idea, it was our only option! - she placed a small chip of wood underneath the foot of my bridge on one side, and a thin piece of cardboard under the other to prop it up so it would be higher.

Tonight I took the peices of wood/cardboard out, just to see why we had done such a thing in the first place, and I discovered why...

When my bridge stands on its own, there is a gap between the outer edge of the foot and the bass itself (more so on the side with the piece of wood). The strings lay on the fingerboard, rendering my bass un-playable. I moved the bridge up and down, left and right, and no matter where I place it, this remains the case.

I took some pictures of it... I only thought to find a forum to ask about this on after replacing the pieces of wood/cardboard, so I only have picture of the bass in this condition.

Overall straight-on look: http://i14.tinypic.com/87lsaxw.jpg
Closer straight-on look: http://i3.tinypic.com/8fkyohe.jpg
Angled: http://i13.tinypic.com/851gyf4.jpg
Side, level: http://i7.tinypic.com/6yp0b2q.jpg
Top, level: http://i5.tinypic.com/6olr18l.jpg
Top, angled: http://i2.tinypic.com/6z9g8j8.jpg

So I guess what I'm asking is: do I have a serious problem that needs fixing? What is my problem? Does it lie with the bridge itself, or the bass? And also, is what I'm doing harming them?

Thank you so much if you can offer me help!

[salcott]

You need a new bridge at the very least. Try Jeff Bollbach in Freeport or Barrie Kolstein in Baldwin.

[toman]

Good god man, I clicked on the pics without reading and burst out laughing, thinking this was a joke! Get that poor beast to a luthier ASAP! This isn't a joke, right? Because if it is, someone deserves a medal...

[Damon Rondeau]

It looks like you're using a bridge blank where the feet have never been fitted to the bass top. It looks like the top arch may have been roughly cut, though.

It's definitely not right, my friend. Take it to a luthier and have the bridge properly fitted -- that's not an extra, nice-to-have step, that's a necessary step. That blank may or may not be usable, can't really tell...

[Darren Molnar]

Hi detection, it looks like the bridge never did fit the bass the way it should, so, shame on whoever sold it to you're family. Good on you're mom for trying something to make it work.

You need a new bridge, properly cut and fit specifically to that bass. No biggie. But it needs to be done by a luthier.

[Darren Molnar]

As to you're last question, yes, you're present set up could be harmful to the bass. i wouldn't reccomend keeping it the way it is any longer.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by detection

I'm taking an interest in bass again, and now that I'm a bit older, I'm realising that this is prooobably not normal...

No, taking an interest in the bass is hardly normal, but it keeps most of us happy!

(Yes, I know you didn't mean that but I couldn't resist).

Indeed, get thee to a luthier!

[detection]

Thanks all for your input. I had a feeling this would be a serious issue (no, this isn't a joke, toman, but thanks for making me feel like an ass). I wish this was taken care of sooner in my bass's life. I've e-mailed Jeff Bollbach to see if he could possibly give me an estimate.

Approximately how much does a bridge replacement cost?

[MingusAmongUs]

Originally Posted by detection

Thanks all for your input. I had a feeling this would be a serious issue (no, this isn't a joke, toman, but thanks for making me feel like an ass). I wish this was taken care of sooner in my bass's life. I've e-mailed Jeff Bollbach to see if he could possibly give me an estimate.

Approximately how much does a bridge replacement cost?

Cost depends on a lot of factors. Any of the luthiers mentioned will give you a fair deal and will do top quality work. But to prepare you, you're likely looking at 3 figures and not 1. Bridge fit is maybe an hour or two labor, and if a new bridge is needed, that may run another hundred, give or take. As lots of other folks here will tell you, don't skimp on this, and you'll be better off.

Ignore the condescending comments. There's no need to feel like an ass. I think it's fair to say more of us than not have jury-rigged these pigs in creative ways, not knowing any better. Just be glad you're in the age of information when this knowledge is at your fingertips. When I was starting out I was ON MY OWN. I didn't even know where to find a luthier, nevermind what to ask him. I went thru all of it: half-assed shims, coat-hanger tailguts, toilet-plunger endpins, you name it.

[toman]

Hey I didn't mean to be rude, sorry if it came off like that.

[reedo35]

Originally Posted by MingusAmongUs

Cost depends on a lot of factors. Any of the luthiers mentioned will give you a fair deal and will do top quality work. But to prepare you, you're likely looking at 3 figures and not 1. Bridge fit is maybe an hour or two labor, and if a new bridge is needed, that may run another hundred, give or take. As lots of other folks here will tell you, don't skimp on this, and you'll be better off.

What Mingus is Politely trying to say is that a new bridge will cost you between $350-$450 depending on the Luthier and amount of extra setup work that needs to be done. The way your bass is now,
1. You are losing a LOT of sound because the feet of the bridge are not fitted. 2. The uneven distribution of weight caused by the uneven bridge also affects your sound and may eventually crack the top. 3. This is NOT a do-it-yourself job. When I was young and inexperienced, I tried the same stuff mingus did, usually with disappointing and even more costly results.

[vejesse]

The bridge looks usable to me - there's plenty of material at the feet and over the heart. Fit the bridge feet to the top and put in some adjusters while you're at it.

Vince Jesse
The Double Bass Workshop

[vejesse]

Disclaimer - Depending on where you want your string height to end up you'll NEED to use bridge adjusters to add the lost height. That's where you can salvage the old bridge.

[MollyKay]

Hello detection…I see you are in Long Island and a 16 year old female…I too am female and as females we are sadly out numbered here on the discussion board…but don’t let that discourage you. There are plenty of good people here that can be helpful. We are pretty far away from each other…but as a young player interested in the bass I would be happy to help you out however I can. If you get to southern PA I (we) would gladly cut you a new bridge for your bass at no cost. We are not professional luthiers but we could certainly make an improvement over what you currently have set up.

If you truly have a desire to learn the upright bass we would be happy to help you out…let me know.

[Rickett Customs]

Originally Posted by Darren Molnar

Hi detection, it looks like the bridge never did fit the bass the way it should, so, shame on whoever sold it to you're family. Good on you're mom for trying something to make it work.

You need a new bridge, properly cut and fit specifically to that bass. No biggie. But it needs to be done by a luthier.

+1

[Silversorcerer]

Moms are so cool! She got you by in a jam without messing up your bass so that's a plus. Remember that on Mother's Day.

A new bridge and having it fitted will be a worth while investment. As has been said, adjusters added to the old bridge might work, but no way to know until a luthier looks at it. It is also not uncommon to add maple shims under the feet of a bridge that is a little short to bring it up to proper height;- just a bit more permanent and carefully fit than your mom did, but same concept.

[MT Spaces]

Originally Posted by MollyKay

.... We are pretty far away from each other…but as a young player interested in the bass I would be happy to help you out however I can. If you get to southern PA I (we) would gladly cut you a new bridge for your bass at no cost .... If you truly have a desire to learn the upright bass we would be happy to help you out…let me know.

MollyKay .... I'm sure that Bass Monkey has told you this a few times over the years ... but I also want to tell you ... You Are A Sweet Heart . The world needs more Sweet Hearts like you.

[Andrew McGregor]

The shim trick works well if you need it; my bass has had shims in there for 20-odd years that we cut out of a broken cello bridge.