Double Bass bridge adjustment

[unbrokenchain]

It's been said already but I'll say it again, go slow when you get to removing wood! A little change at the bridge is a lot of change on the fingerboard. Lube the nut slots with graphite so the strings don't pull the bridge as much when you tune up.

 

[unbrokenchain]

Don’t lower perpendicular to the tangent at the bridge crown or you bring the strings closer together. Do it in parallel to the ribs. First make slot deeper (and wide enough that the string doesn’t get clamped), try and when you are happy file the wood away that is not needed.

This is important

 

[Lee Moses]

BTW being English I don't understand the association between grit and food.

Grits are a regular breakfast dish, particularly in the southern U.S.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

No? No what?? Please explain. Thanks.

First, there isn’t enough wood on the soles of those feet to lower the bridge significantly. You will be well into the ankles. I see the bridge as a human body; feet, legs, heart, arms.........
The arch at the top may be a bit high but it’s hard to tell. The arching of the fingerboard must be correct and THEN, a luthier MAY adjust the bridge arch for the string heights AND arching that will permit bowing all strings.

If you have a suitable file, divider, knife, plane, scraper and the willingness to tackle this, go for it. You could lower the middle strings but then the bridge will be too thick at those points. This is a simple job for a professional but you don’t know what you don’t know.

edit: I now see that you are going forward. Use a divider to main string spacing. Then, ultimately, the string should sit no more than halfway in the slot. Slightly file the slot to mimic the angles so the string bends easily over the bridge.

 

[james condino]

Grits are a regular breakfast dish, particularly in the southern U.S.

View attachment 4109678

Start your day with a heart attack!

 

[unbrokenchain]

I was looking at the wrist in the photo all wrong, whew! Love me some grits though..

 

[james condino]

I actually made some today after seeing this post!

 

[1st Bass]

Haven’t had grits in years...good stuff.

 

[Don Kasper]

@james condino
Is there a restaurant named "Nitty's Grits" that serves Grits?
Is the Menu printed on the back of a sheet of Sandpaper?
There should be.
You're Welcome!

 

[GretschWretch]

@james condino
Is there a restaurant named "Nitty's Grits" that serves Grits?
Is the Menu printed on the back of a sheet of Sandpaper?
There should be.
You're Welcome!

I see I am just going to have to grit my teeth and wade into this. None of us could be happy in a sit-down restaurant in central or western Pennsylvania. Fries and baked beans for sides? Noooo. Applesauce and cole slaw, and in a blind touch test you could not distinguish between a slice of toast and a sheet of 60 grit sandpaper.
They do serve Barq's root beer; that is about the only saving grace.

 

[tony andrews]

It the risk of getting back on topic (!) I solved the problem by carefully filing down the grooves with needle files and sanding the bridge curve down to keep the actual groove depth the same, as well as the bridge profile. I'm really happy with the results. It's made a huge difference to my playing. Thanks to everyone for the advice, although I definitely don't like the look of those grits. Give me a full English breakfast any day!

 

[iiicccggg]

How does it feel to have done your own luthiery? Great work!

 

[tony andrews]

Satisfying! - But I'll try not to get too carried away. . .

 

[arto alho]

Grits and gravy