Double Bass Buying and fitting an adjustable bridge.

[ambientbassist]

Although I’ve been playing bass guitar professionally for a decade or so, I’m fairly new to playing DB. I recently bought a nice Stentor conservatoire model 3/4 size double bass.

The bass has already been set up by a luthier. I’d like to experiment with the string height though, get it so that it’s ‘right’ for me. I’ve been looking online at adjustable bridges. There’s quite a disparity in the price of them, from extremely cheap to the very expensive.

I was wondering if there was a certain model to look out for, one that people recommend?

They also come in different sizes?

How easy are they to install, I’m guessing I could just use the existing bridge as a template?

Thanks in advance for any help given.

 

[keiranhohara]

It would be MUCH easier to install adjusters to the bridge already on the bass.

 

[isolated]

It would be MUCH easier to install adjusters to the bridge already on the bass.

...and don't try to do it yourself....

 

[JBarz]

If you're handy, a little obsessive compulsive, and have any interest in learning anything and everything you'll ever want to know about upright bass repair, check out Chuck Traeger's book.
Setup and Repair of the Double Bass for Optimum Sound by Chuck Traeger (gollihurmusic.com)

 

[stefaniw80401]

I have a fixed bridge on my bass, and love it. I deal with seasonal changes with shims. I use the cardboard from the back of a pad of paper, traced to my bridge feet and cut out with a razor knife. For a multilayer stack, I glue the layers together with s some white Elmer's glue, or super glue. You don't need much to make a huge difference in action, feel and response. In some ways, bridge adjusters are an overkill solution to a very small problem.

 

[AGCurry]

I have a fixed bridge on my bass, and love it. I deal with seasonal changes with shims. I use the cardboard from the back of a pad of paper, traced to my bridge feet and cut out with a razor knife. For a multilayer stack, I glue the layers together with s some white Elmer's glue, or super glue. You don't need much to make a huge difference in action, feel and response. In some ways, bridge adjusters are an overkill solution to a very small problem.

That's a good method if your fixed bridge is low as you will ever want to go.

 

[elberon]

Bring your bass to a professional bass luthier and get them to set it up properly. They might be able to insert adjusters and preserve the original bridge to keep the cost down. They would possibly also need to shape the bridge feet to allow optimal contact with the top of your bass’s curvature.

 

[SAlcott]

I can't remember the last time I saw a bass bridge without adjusters.

 

[stefaniw80401]

I can't remember the last time I saw a bass bridge without adjusters.

Here is a picture of my bridge on my Romanian flat back carved bass. Baranyai Gyorgi. 42" string length. 7-1/8" tall bridge 5.5mm action. Notice how that legs are slightly angled. This makes installing adjusters difficult. Bridge adjusters should be installed parallel with each other in the bridgr legs.

IMG_20210821_115248116

• stefaniw80401
• Aug 21, 2021
• tallbridge

Gyorgi bridge
7-1/8" tall
5.5mm action

 

[longfinger]

The bass has already been set up by a luthier. I’d like to experiment with the string height though, get it so that it’s ‘right’ for me.

Take the bass back to the luthier and ask him to sell and install bridge adjusters for you. He'll cut and fit them onto your current bridge.

Done.

 

[stefaniw80401]

I would only do bridge adjusters with a luthier that has a jig and a drill press. All other "methods" are inferior and will lead to trouble. Also only get 1-piece adjusters milled from a single billet of aluminum. Two piece adjusters are garbage, but plentiful and common and easy to get by your typical string repair shop.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

And get light aluminium adjusters (or wooden ones), not the heavy brass adjusters that kill your tone.

 

[JBarz]

I deal with seasonal changes with shims. I use the cardboard from the back of a pad of paper

Is this a common practice? I would be concerned about the cardboard dampening the transfer.

 

[james condino]

I can't remember the last time I saw a bass bridge without adjusters.

Even though I install them for other folks every week of the year.....after decades of always having adjusters on my personal basses, a few years back I removed them from my personal bass and have no intentions of putting them back. I found I was always messing with them and getting distracted. Now I just accept it for what it is and play through; 'take what you've got and run with it.

 

[SAlcott]

I mess with mine twice a year; once a few days after the slightly longer summer soundpost goes in, which raises the string height a bit, and again when the winter post is installed. I've had carpal tunnel surgery and have some tendon issues in my left hand, so this makes a difference for me. I set the height so I can play as hard as I want with no rattles. Other than that, they're set.

 

[foilracer]

Even though I install them for other folks every week of the year.....after decades of always having adjusters on my personal basses, a few years back I removed them from my personal bass and have no intentions of putting them back. I found I was always messing with them and getting distracted. Now I just accept it for what it is and play through; 'take what you've got and run with it.

James....Any chance for an update about "no adjusters" for the bridge? Any problems with "go with the flow"? Do you use different "seasonal" bridges?
Anybody else interested in sharing bridge opinions? Thanks!

 

[stefaniw80401]

James....Any chance for an update about "no adjusters" for the bridge? Any problems with "go with the flow"? Do you use different "seasonal" bridges?
Anybody else interested in sharing bridge opinions? Thanks!

Yes, I will share...long time fixed bridge user here -- new owner of adjustable bridge. My "problem" is that Ima string changer. For years I used shims under the feet, but I wanted to try an adjusters so as to experience the nuances of string height -- especially with synthetic core strings. Now with the adjusters, all my strings sound a little darker, like somebody turned down the treble ... that, and maybe I lost some volume. My wife definitely noticed that my bass's voice sounds different now ... she said more "soulful". She not a musician, so I have to interpret her comments.