Upright Bass Action without adjustable bridge
 

I bought a used Framus upright bass about a year ago but have not started seriously playing until 2 months ago. In the past week I have started to hear a clanking noise of the sting hitting the fingerboard every time I play something on the E string. I understand that I need to raise the action but I do not have an adjustable bridge and don't have the money to go out and get one anytime soon. Is there anything I can do in the mean time to raise the action?
Thanks

Hi.

Mine's a BSO, so I just shimmed the bridge.

Flame away...

Regards
Sam

The Principal in my Orchestra uses think sheets of what appears to be wood under the feet of his bridge. I haven't looked up close, but it seems like he raises the bridge about 1/4 of an inch that way.

make sure it is in the right place, centered and upright

Shim Material
 

Thin maple basket wood, such as the kind that you can get at many local fruit and vegetable markets works very well to use as shims. 2-3 thicknesses can be used to raise the bridge, placing a drop of glue between them. However, do not glue shims to bridge feet or bass top. This should help until you can get another bridge.



John

you can move the bridge north a little and it will raise the strings-it would be ideal to move the sound post in tantum, but if you don't move the bridge forward over 1/4 inch, it probably won't matter. This is not the best and perfect way to do it, but it is a way to raise the strings when you are adjusterless. I expect to catch hell for this post from those who think that the inner notches are sacred, but in this particular case, it should be okay.

I'm pretty opposed to moving the bridge forward to raise the strings, especially on a ply bass. You will be moving the bridge away from the sound post, which a ply top needs to support it more than a solid top, and you might be moving the other foot off of the bass bar, another structural problem. I think that the above advice about how to shim the feet is very good, just be careful not to drop the sound post.

1/4 inch in any direction is not going to make any difference on a ply bass-plys are actually stronger than solids and as for moving the bridge away from the bass bar-:ninja:

look, in this situation-this situation- there is not a lot of concern about doing it right or the op would get a good bridge, with adjusters , a good set up - until the op takes it more seriously, moving the bridge 1/4 inch forward, shims , whatever should be temporary fixes- the best advice is- get serious about playing- get it set up right , respect the instrument and have fun playing without extra noisy.

op, just trying to be helpful - not trying to start a big argument over this-

btw, i have seen bridges moved an inch forward and stayed that way on a ply bass for 20 plus years and it didn't hurt anything- post was also moved. btw, not everyone will agree that the bridge foot has to be right on top of the bassbar anyway.

me personally would not do that(i would get it set up right and be done with it) but a 1/4 inch till the op gets serious enought to get it done right-is okay-
btw, shims need to be fitted- the op is looking for an easy way and moving the bridge (for him) will be the best, fastest and easiest way-

the best advice is - take it to a bass luthier and get it set up right- might not take all that much- surely you could go get a free counsultation and find out

most likely a luthier would dress the E side of the board correctly and you would be on your way:)pm sent to op