Double Bass Fingerboard scoop

[heymrbassman]

How much does the shape of the board affect the sound and playability?

I have a medium action and i don't want to go any lower but I would love to have more growl in the sound.

I don't want the strings any lower because of the right hand. I need to feel the strings not the board. If they get too close I find it hard to dig in.

I don't have an adjustable bridge as i was told it would affect the tone of the instrument. Now I'm thinking i should get one just to experiment.

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

Press the G string down on both ends of the fingerboard and have someone measure the amount of "scoop" under the string at its deepest point. Do the same under the E string. Report back here and we luthiers will be able to give you our two cents (pence?) about your fingerboard. As far as bridge, I've yet to hear a pizz player complain about tone when adjusters are installed in their bridges. Yes, if you want more growl, you'll want to have minimal camber (scoop); your instincts are correct.

 

[mhartery]

So where should the lowest point of scoop be under the G string, D string, A string? At the middle harmonic?
And where should it be for the E string?
So after one finds where the lowest point of camber is ..how low does that camber go when one presses down the string on either end of the Finger board?

 

[heymrbassman]

Thanks

I'll go measure my camber at the weekend.

"Two pence" just doesn't have the same ring to it. Now if you were talking a pony or two ...