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Double Bass Bass Bridges

H

HoodBass12

Jul 27, 2009
23
0
#1
I own a new standard and I'm trying a bunch of different things to get a better sound out of it

im wondering what changes a bridge could bring.

right now the bass came with a decent bridge made in france

i have an opportunity to maybe get a german made bridge from around 1930, what could this possibly do to the sound of my instrument?
 
#2
Who knows without trying? But as a New Standard owner, I have to say.... changing bridges would be waaay down the list of things I would try to get a better sound out of it. The bridge that Arnold and Wil fitted to mine is fine.

Why do you think it needs a bridge replacement?
 
#3
Marcus Johnson said:
Who knows without trying? But as a New Standard owner, I have to say.... changing bridges would be waaay down the list of things I would try to get a better sound out of it. The bridge that Arnold and Wil fitted to mine is fine.

Why do you think it needs a bridge replacement?
Click to expand...

I actually like the bridge that is on it, I've been trying to make it sound more deep or full and have more clarity in all registers. Was just wondering if the older bridge would give it a more mature sound.

Im also thinking about taking some of the bow out of the neck

what are some things you would do to get a better sound?
 
#5
Well, i guess that to answer your question, the bridge alone is probably a very small aspect, unless that the bridge does not fit the bass as far as the feet making contact with the top, and /or the bridge being the right size so it sits on the bass bar.
Strings cam be a big deal, and some instruments are more sensitive than others to string gauge. Soundpost placement can be a huge deal. tailpice wire, string after length, string height at nut and bridge. I've heard that even the finish of the instrument can change the instrument sound.
So yes, I agree, take the bass to a Luthier and besides figuring out the problem you will also learn a lot about the instrument, much more than you could learn online.
 
#6
Bridges aren't the first thing you think of over sound... pretty much the last, in fact. They're a consumable, you get a good new one rather than looking for antiques, because they need cut to fit a particular bass.

You're more after string choice and soundpost placement, presuming that the string height is OK. So, go see a luthier and see what can be done.
 
#7
Peck_Time said:
Take the bass to a good bass luthier and take yourself to a good bass teacher...
Click to expand...

thanks for your sarcastic and unhelpful post

i go to manhattan school of music, this is not a technique issue

Andrew and B:

Thanks I will take it to a luthier when I'm back at school I just wanted some ideas to bring to the table rather than making the luthier guess what I want.

Thank you
 
#9
HoodBass12 said:
I actually like the bridge that is on it, I've been trying to make it sound more deep or full and have more clarity in all registers. Was just wondering if the older bridge would give it a more mature sound.
Click to expand...

This is probably unhelpful too, but what is it that you like about the bridge that is on it now? The look of it?

It sounds to me like you are wanting to get a carved bass sound out of a laminated bass, and no matter how good the laminated bass (and you have the best) this is very difficult.

I don't think an old bridge will make any big difference. A thicker bridge will darken the sound a little and vice versa. But a "mature" sound? I don't know.

What bow and strings are you using?
 
#10
Matthew Tucker said:
This is probably unhelpful too, but what is it that you like about the bridge that is on it now? The look of it?

It sounds to me like you are wanting to get a carved bass sound out of a laminated bass, and no matter how good the laminated bass (and you have the best) this is very difficult.

I don't think an old bridge will make any big difference. A thicker bridge will darken the sound a little and vice versa. But a "mature" sound? I don't know.

What bow and strings are you using?
Click to expand...

I like the bridge now because it seems the size is just right to produce a good sound, I was just wondering if the older bridge would make much of a difference. You answered that so thank you!!

I have a fairly moderate bow and use D'Addario Helicore Hybrids but I play jazz mostly and I'm looking for a dark yet clear sound with pizz. the arco is pretty decent and clear.

When I play in the higher registers (starting at D on the G string in thumb position) the bass has very little sustain and I would like a little more clarity in the middle range as well.

I think I'll just take it to arnold (if i can get in touch with him) and spill my guts there rather than trying to get an answer from people online because I'm finding it rather difficult to explain sounds lol..
 
#11
HoodBass12 said:
I was just wondering if the older bridge would make much of a difference.
Click to expand...

I would be interesting to find out.... people usually change strings, tailpieces/cables, adjust soundposts, reshape fingerboards, and so on.... but I can't recall anyone doing a "bridge shootout".

Arnold's fitted so many bridges (very nicely, I might add, mine's frickin' perfect :cool: ), he can probably venture a well educated guess as to the likely differences a bridge swap would make.
 
#12
HoodBass12 said:
I own a new standard and I'm trying a bunch of different things to get a better sound out of it

im wondering what changes a bridge could bring.

right now the bass came with a decent bridge made in france

i have an opportunity to maybe get a german made bridge from around 1930, what could this possibly do to the sound of my instrument?
Click to expand...

Is your bass a Carved, hybrid or laminated bass?
 

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