Double Bass Fingerboard Length?

[Cyrus Pansch]

Hey Fellow Double Bass Enthusiast,

How long should the actual fingerboard be on a 3/4 size bass? I bought a new one and only planed the sides (to almost the width of the neck and the top down a little, but am wondering if I should cut the length down. I just glued it this weekend w/ hide glue!!! Right now it's about 1 inch longer than the old one, but I think I would like the length to help me hit the higher notes...

Please let me know if there's a standard length I should go by...

Thanks a bunch,

Cy-anara

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Hey Fellow Double Bass Enthusiast,

How long should the actual fingerboard be on a 3/4 size bass? I bought a new one and only planed the sides (to almost the width of the neck and the top down a little, but am wondering if I should cut the length down. I just glued it this weekend w/ hide glue!!! Right now it's about 1 inch longer than the old one, but I think I would like the length to help me hit the higher notes...

Please let me know if there's a standard length I should go by...

Thanks a bunch,

Cy-anara

I think the average is about 34". I have seen some at 33 and 35". Depends on whats best for each Bass/Player combined.

 

[Cyrus Pansch]

Thanks Ken,

That's what I like to hear! - Is there any suggested length of string height from the bass top (inbetween the center of the F-hole) to the strings? Or what the correct pitch angle is where the neck attaches to the block. The pitch is currently much too low on the neck so I put a ebony spacer on the button to push the neck farther up to give the bridge more clearence.

Any usefull onfo would be mucho helpfull!

Cy-borg

 

[Nick Lloyd]

Your post doesn't make a lot of sense... what are you asking?

 

[peasandhoney]

Most of the instruments I have played and liked the board have fingerbaords that are 5/6th the string langth, so the end of the board coinsides with a high D harmonic.

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Most of the instruments I have played and liked the board have fingerbaords that are 5/6th the string langth, so the end of the board coinsides with a high D harmonic.

I just checked 4 Basses here all with 34" -34 1/4" fingerboards and they are all from a 'B' harmonic/note to a 'C' note on some. To get a D harmonic I would need a 35" FB and these are mainly 7/8ths Basses I measured (Prescott, Loveri, Bisiach and Shen).

 

[Cyrus Pansch]

Sorry Nick, I'm asking a couple of different things here. First thing is just the length of the Fingerboard on a 3/4 Bass. And Secondly is how high in inches should the strings be on a Double Bass - from the top of the bass (where the bridge sits) to the where the strings rest on the top of the bridge?

I knowthere's no exact answer - just looking for the standard.

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Sorry Nick, I'm asking a couple of different things here. First thing is just the length of the Fingerboard on a 3/4 Bass. And Secondly is how high in inches should the strings be on a Double Bass - from the top of the bass (where the bridge sits) to the where the strings rest on the top of the bridge?

I knowthere's no exact answer - just looking for the standard.

My Basses average from 6" to 7" with string heights at the end of the fingerboard no higher than 5mm/g and 10mm/e. Those are actually high as I prefer about 4mm - 8mm on average or slightly lower for Jazz. Of the 4 Basses I mentioned above in my office now the Bridges are from 6 3/8" to 6 7/8" tall.

Neck stand and neck angle are important and can vary depending on the shoulders and the actual Bass. An older bass with a distressed top may not take a high bridge as easily as a younger strong Bass without strain. The neck Stands on my Basses here now range from 21mm - 41mm. The Loveri and Bisiach are at 21mm and play easy as the shoulders are sloped. The Loveri has good pitch and the highest bridge. The Prescott has the biggest neck stand and broadest shoulders as well. The Shen is 36mm, sloped shoulders and the second tallest bridge cheated up 3/8" and 3mm/g and 7mm/e with 6 3/4" height at the bridge. With 4-8mm and 42" S.L. at the notches, the Bridge is actually 7" tall.

So, it's all about optimum comfort all around individually for each Bass. I own and have owned ALOT of Basses and no two are ever alike in this department.

 

[Nick Lloyd]

Sorry Nick, I'm asking a couple of different things here. First thing is just the length of the Fingerboard on a 3/4 Bass. And Secondly is how high in inches should the strings be on a Double Bass - from the top of the bass (where the bridge sits) to the where the strings rest on the top of the bridge?

I knowthere's no exact answer - just looking for the standard.

So you are looking for a bridge height? Depending on arching, neck set, top condition, style of playing, and a few other things... 6"-7" for a bridge height.