Double Bass Bridge/soundpost setup on a new bass....1.5" lower than normal?

[marcFl]

I purchased a new Strunal 50/2c about a month ago, and noticed the soundpost and bridge seem to have been installed where the middle of the bridge feet sit about 1.5 inches below the < > cutouts on the f-holes.
Other bases Ive had, the middle of the feet line up directly with the < > notches, and the soundpost sits about a 1/2 inch directly above the G/D string bridgefoot.
Will leaving the Strunal set up the way I recieved it possibly cause the top to crack?
I like the action and tone a lot better right out of the box, which was the reason I bought it. I moved the bridge where the feet were centered with the middle of the f-holes, and the sound wasn't as clear and the action higher. The sound post was now 1.5" below the foot.
Can I leave it setup the way I purchased it, without damaging the bass?

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

I purchased a new Strunal 50/2c about a month ago, and noticed the soundpost and bridge seem to have been installed where the middle of the bridge feet sit about 1.5 inches below the < > cutouts on the f-holes.
Other bases Ive had, the middle of the feet line up directly with the < > notches, and the soundpost sits about a 1/2 inch directly above the G/D string bridgefoot.
Will leaving the Strunal set up the way I recieved it possibly cause the top to crack?
I like the action and tone a lot better right out of the box, which was the reason I bought it. I moved the bridge where the feet were centered with the middle of the f-holes, and the sound wasn't as clear and the action higher. The sound post was now 1.5" below the foot.
Can I leave it setup the way I purchased it, without damaging the bass?

The Bridge belongs at the notches where you put it (99.99% of the time). The Soundpost belongs below the G foot of the bridge about one soundpost width below. This is where I start.

Maybe the bridge was too high when the imported got the Bass so they just lowered the bridge to lower the strings rather than just correct the bridge by re-cutting the top. The post may have either moved in transit or just placed wrong.

If you suspect something is wrong, loosen the strings and get the Bass to a Bass Specialist Luthier asap. All that pressure on the Top with the Post in the wrong place can cost more damage than the Bass might be worth to fix it.