Double Bass Bridge top thickness and sound

[soolsma]

Hi. I've recently had my bass and a new bridge adjusted at a shop. I noticed however, that compared to my last bridge, the top is now much thicker (see image, cirkled in red) in the direction of the strings. It used to be almost pointy so that the strings would only barely touch the top of the bridge. I was wondering how much and in what way this affects the sound. I play plucking jazz bass and want my sound to be as full and as ''growly'' as possible when playing. Image: bass

 

[wathaet]

It needs to be neither too thick nor too thin. If you give measurements we can maybe let you know if you are within the normal range.

 

[soolsma]

Thanks for the fast reply! It's half a centimeter or 0,19 inch. So I guess it needs to be much thinner?

Still the question remains: In what ways does thinner or thicker affect the sound

 

[wathaet]

On my Hill, it is 4mm at the E and 3.5 at the apex.
The whole shape and mass of the bridge has to be considered. Not simple. I prefer to hand the bass over to a top tier luthier and trust what they do.

 

[bassmanbrent]

I don't think 5 mm is too thick... Every luthier you talk to will likely have their own opinion on a 'correct' thickness. I'm pretty sure our local repair guru/luthier likes his bridges around 6mm... Also, every bass will respond differently, so it's hard to say whether thinner will mean fuller and growlier...