Double Bass DB Bridge bending

[diwa130]

Hello Eveyone,
I have my adjustable bridge always bending forward. I'll fix it every time, lowering the adjusters to the minimum, setting up the bridge in the right position and rising the adjuster to my preferred action. I carefully tighten the strings and I used graphite to improve lubrication. Invariably after few weeks I am back to square one and start the work again. Does anybody has gotten similar problems with an adjustable bridge or it is just my bridge that sucks. I am almost thinking of buying a fixed bridge, but I would like to share my experience with someone else to understand if it is my bridge that has problems or it is a general problem of adjustable bridges.
Thank You for any reply,

 

[Remyd]

Does anybody has gotten similar problems with an adjustable bridge or it is just my bridge that sucks. I am almost thinking of buying a fixed bridge...

I had the same problem once; seemed like I was always fooling around with my setup. I wanted to replace/upgrade the adjustable bridge, but for $ reasons moved to a fixed style.

I'm very interested to hear other's experiences.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

You don't need to lower the bridge before pushing it back into position. Just loosen the strings a step or two. The slots in your bridge may be too narrow or not rounded and the strings may be catching when you tune up, taking the bridge along for the ride.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Hello Eveyone,
I have my adjustable bridge always bending forward. I'll fix it every time, lowering the adjusters to the minimum, setting up the bridge in the right position and rising the adjuster to my preferred action. I carefully tighten the strings and I used graphite to improve lubrication. Invariably after few weeks I am back to square one and start the work again. Does anybody has gotten similar problems with an adjustable bridge or it is just my bridge that sucks. I am almost thinking of buying a fixed bridge, but I would like to share my experience with someone else to understand if it is my bridge that has problems or it is a general problem of adjustable bridges.
Thank You for any reply,

I recommend that you have a competent DB specialist check out your bridge. It may need some tweaking of the string slots/bridge thickness/legs to restore stability.

Or the bridge might need to be replaced.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

It is advisable to hold the crown of your bridge in place with one hand while tuning with the other.

 

[MikeCanada]

I second Jake's sound advice to seek some professional help, for the instrument. When the adjusters were put in an old bridge of mine, they were not put in straight. When they were adjusted out/higher, the bridge would always seem like it was leaning forward. It was "fixed" by pushing the bridge straight, but that resulted in a bent adjuster, which means it got all kinds of wonky.

You could have an adjuster that wasn't put in straight, you could have a warped bridge, you could have string slot issues... A good bass luthier is your best bet.

 

[RSBBass]

I am with Mike and Jake, it sounds like either a poor job of fitting the adjusters or your bridge is warping.