Double Bass bridge keeps falling down

[Adumb]

outta curiosity, what would the luthier do?

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

outta curiosity, what would the luthier do?

Do it right hopefully whatever is needed.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Patient, "Doctor, it hurts when I do that."
Doctor, "Then don't do that."

 

[Damon Rondeau]

outta curiosity, what would the luthier do?

Here's the straight answer that might actually do you some good: the luthier would select the right size bridge blank for your bass. Bridge blanks are significantly over-sized because they have to be custom-fit to your bass. So, the luthier would fit the feet to your bass and fit the arch to your fingerboard and playing preference. The luthier would cut the little notches for the strings to sit in. The luthier would thin the bridge all over so it was only heavy enough to do its job reliably. The luthier would make sure the bridge was placed properly on your instrument and the luthier would string it up and deal with making sure the soundpost doesn't fall. If you wanted it, the luthier would also install adjusters.

All of this is do-able by a person who is not a luthier, but the question is how well will it be done and how long will it take to get it done right. Rest assured, even if you're a skilled woodworker, you're going to have some learning to do before you can turn out a bridge like the one in the pic Jake posted.

Try it out if you want. I did, and I still do. I had decades of woodworking experience when I did my first DB bridge and it was pretty ugly. Functional, but extremely far from perfect. I've done maybe half a dozen since and I'm slow but getting closer to the pic every time. Still a long ways away from the pic, but closer every time...

 

[Adumb]

thanks damon, i am quite a diy, so i probably will try it myself, it wont be great im sure, but if i start now, my bridges will be good sooner than if i dont try it

 

[Gufenov]

I'll second the luthier. You very well might buy a bridge, fit and install it yourself. A luthier will ensure the job is done right AND you gain the learning experience for the future. A luthier might also identify any other problems with your instrument so you can make an informed decision about how much to invest in it.

 

[Adumb]

yeah, thats about the main problem, is that it is a palatino, so investing in the expertise of a luthier wouldnt be a wise investment, one thing is broken, so i will fix one thing,

 

[Adumb]

i steamed and flattened the bridge and it is working alot better, i did put it back on backwards as well, hopefully it will hold up a while

 

[Roger Mouton]

How can you possibly be doing all this without having the sound post fall?

 

[Adumb]

thats probably a very good question, i also took my bass apart to paint it as well 2 weeks ago, lol

 

[Adumb]

i checked it with no string tension and the sound post felt snug, wasnt moving,

 

[nathanmcnathan]

I think your bass is dying...

 

[Adumb]

yeah, that may be, i still like it,

 

[Marcus Johnson]

yeah, that may be, i still like it,

That's cool. Don't get too attached to it.

 

[Adumb]

why? whats likely to be happening to it??

 

[toman]

dumb.

 

[Adumb]

dumb.

huh?

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Hey, since the weedwhacker strings are pretty flexible, why not take the G string and the E string and loop them through the bridge wings? That way, the forward pull would be counter acted by the tension towards the tailpiece.

Alternately, you could just bolt the bridge feet to the top of the bass.

 

[nathanmcnathan]

Hey, since the weedwhacker strings are pretty flexible, why not take the G string and the E string and loop them through the bridge wings? That way, the forward pull would be counter acted by the tension towards the tailpiece.

Alternately, you could just bolt the bridge feet to the top of the bass.

That's not a horrible idea at all....
If you have to, instead of drilling holes in your bass, why not just use a light amount of glue?

 

[Adumb]

well with this bridge being backwards, i think im gonna go for a new bridge, then go from there,