Double Bass Best practise to correct (very) different sustain for different stops?

[ctrlzjones]

How the strings are reacting is pretty different across the fingerboard.

My "technique" to get some control over that issue has been to move the bridge around, in all directions: north-south-east-west often in very small portions (like millimeters) distances until I found a sweet spot that's going to work for a while until the weather changes or changes in other variables enter the game.

Also interesting and kind of mind boggling is that the the feeling for the left hand playing changes quite a lot when moving the bridge very little.

But then the problem is that even when I found a good position for the bridge via trial & error, I always end up with one or more dead spots. Right now there is one of those around the 5th position on the A & D strings.

I'm not looking for a solution that changes the overall sound drastically but a way to distribute the sustain more equally without involving mayor luthier work.

 

[Stuart.C]

In general the position of the bridge should be fixed. small changes are possible but as you have found, it tends to just change the feel and move the problem.

what you want is a sound post adjustment.

You can do it yourself, but I'd recommend taking it to a luthier.
It's not a major expense, I got a new sound post properly fitted and placed for ~$120.

There are other factors i.e. the tailpiece type and position, tail gut, shape of the bridge, strings and the nature of the bass itself.
but a sound post adjustment is where to start, especially when attempting the balance across the strings.

Good luck

 

[Slevage]

You need to have your bass evaluated and set up by a competent luthier.
As others have said, it’s likely a sound post issue.
I had an old Kay (1941) that played great and sounded great except for the E string l, E through G. It couldn’t be corrected. I sold the bass and got a better one.

 

[Povl Carstensen]

Moving the bridge affects string height. So I would suggest keeping it centered and aligned with the neck/fingerboard.