- Jun 30, 2010
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Is it completely out of the question to treat/seal/coat a bridge w/oil (as in tung oil)? Not sure if it's ever done, and will appreciate being educated on this subject.
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Double Bass bridge treatment?
- Thread starter JIO
- Start date
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,600
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
It's a cosmetic choice, mainly to richen/define the maple's colour/grain - but in general wonder if it is done to protect it as it is raw wood. I know wood is organic and breaths, and the bridge is a sort of tone conduit so would understand if it wasn't ever done.
I am not a luthier, and have not done any experimenting with bridge treatment. It seems that treating the bridge with an oil would serve to dampen it. Some bridges are treated to strengthen them and increase their "ring".
Perhaps I was off base on the oil:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f1/double-bass-bridge-question-512891/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f1/double-bass-bridge-question-512891/
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,600
- 222,013
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- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Thank you for that past thread - well worth the read in entertainment value!
Didn't really answer my inquiry, but maybe that's the real answer. As the one poster said, "can't think of a reason not to do it, and equally can't think of a reason to do it."
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
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- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
We coat all our bridges with linseed oil at the shop. There are different theories as to whether it helps or hurts the sound, but I'm inclined to think any change will generally be unnoticeable.
I have been looking for this thread for a few hours now! Finally!
Thanks for posting these helpful tips. Very helpful.
Cheers!
Thanks for posting these helpful tips. Very helpful.
Cheers!
On an older bass with some mojo and wear, I like to tone down a new bridge with a little bit of mid color shellac and have been known to rub a bit of dirt or ebony sawdust off the floor near the bandsaw after it has hardened a few hours. No matter what the performance and voice, a brand new untreated bridge on an old bass always looks like some dork from the '80s wearing a pair of bright white tennis shoes...
