Double Bass bridge fitting

[Zachary Martin]

Maybe this is a little too ridged a measurment. But I do believe this is absolutely relevent in furthering our discussion of bridge fitting.
How many times have we, as luthiers and players, seen a bridge warped toward the fingerboard?
This, in part, is caused buy the strings pulling on the bridge when bringing it up to pitch. Over the course of months and years this can have a significant effect on the bridge.
Warping is also caused by a bridge that is shaped too thin, has too much material over the heart or not fit at the proper angle to the top.
My approach to this is to fit the bridge in such a way that it works against the tension of the strings, creating more stability. This angle is minimal, and effects the string length only slightly, if at all. I do this in conjunction with slightly tapering the back of the bridge rather than keeping it flat.

 

[Nick Lloyd]

Thanks for that info.

 

[uptonbass]

Granted some degree of tilt will counteract the natural inclination for the bridge to tilt and then warp BUT if the player does not take the time (or at least have a luthier do it here and there) I don't feel a little "cant" to the back really will save the bridge. We are nearly always tuning up and that pulling is the issue when it is disregarded.

Throw adjusters on the bridge and I think the 1 degree will quickly be lost to the allowance of flex in the leg section of the bridge, where the adjusters allow it to pivot.

Again a good thought but all is lost if the player disregards the bridge. We do cut an angle on the back of the bridge but more above the heart not from the feet. This in fact would go against the 1 degree back tilt and is to SOME degree a more wedge shaped bridge. Thousands of bridges fit with few if ever an incident, not tooting the UB horn, more so for the record and exp.

 

[TheSuzie]

Again a good thought but all is lost if the player disregards the bridge.

Don't want to shift the thread too much but as an aspiring player, I really need to know what I should be doing to avoid or reduce problems. Is there a link or a simple list of suggestions.

Thanks,
S

 

[Johnny L]

I just want to say that I'm developing a truss-rod mechanism for any bridge...so that the player can adjust conveniently the amount and direction of bowing in the bridge to his/her taste.

just kidding

 

[uptonbass]

What about a floating trem and a tone knob?

 

[Johnny L]

What about a floating trem and a tone knob?

Ah I see you are inquiring about the headless model!

For that, I'm leveraging Rockwell's retro encabulator technology ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed])...superior to GE's turbo encabulator, and aimed more appropriately towards acceptably efficient string vibration loss.

 

[uptonbass]

Do you think that would go well with the new look of the Hawkes Hybrid FB?

 

[Johnny L]

Hello Gary hmm the advantage here is that compatibility would be entirely dependent upon the resonant frequency of the endpin rod...allowing us to determine scientifically the answer here rather than engross ourselves in subjective persecution.

Do you have an oscillating periscope meter to take measurements at your workshop? I'd need readings at -45 kHz, 257 MHz, and LED quaver indications.

 

[uptonbass]

Little large for the gig though.... could blend in well with the Big Band

 

[uptonbass]

Working on the readings though....

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Ah I see you are inquiring about the headless model!

For that, I'm leveraging Rockwell's retro encabulator technology ([Invalid or Expired Link Removed])...superior to GE's turbo encabulator, and aimed more appropriately towards acceptably efficient string vibration loss.

I watched the video. I wasn't sure when he switched from English to Martian each time. Anyway, I need one of those thigamajigs for testing the frequency of my 'dinglarm'.

Is it just as good for Italian Basses as it is for English Basses? Any mods needed for French or German Basses. My poor puritan Prescott having to be subjected to such language. My Shen is numb to it all having no clue *** he's talking about. I think that's a great advantage of being a foreigner. Don't you agree?

 

[Johnny L]

I wasn't sure when he switched from English to Martian each time.

Hello Ken,

The entire presentation, and supporting documentation regarding any encabulator, is total BS. No technical term ever gets used appropriately, though some terms may approach or rhyme with a real-world technical term...which is part of what makes the "running encabulator joke" run so well.

 

[uptonbass]

Hello Ken,

The entire presentation, and supporting documentation regarding any encabulator, is total BS. No technical term ever gets used appropriately, though some terms may approach or rhyme with a real-world technical term...which is part of what makes the "running encabulator joke" run so well.

Shoot and I was getting ready with the numbers you requested.