Double Bass Framus Triumph Restoration and Upgrade

[GuyOnTheCouch]

Hello everyone.

Last week this vintage beauty, a 1950-early 60's Framus Triumph came into my possesion by way of a clearance sale.

The owner told me it had not been played for ~30 years and it has been in storage all this time. The bass itself is in full working condition, with only the usual cosmetic wear. I had to clean it, inside out, because time had not been as good to it's soft case, which degraded into dust and had covered the bass itself.

So this is where I am now.

I need revamp the electronics, only for good measure as the bass works, and I think it would be a good idea to add a piezo pickup with a 3-way switch.
What concerns me though is the bridge.

The bridge is, at best, wierd. It's designed to allow for string height adjustment but at what cost? It's made with maple, steel, and the strings actually rest on plastic rings. It screws on the main chrome on its base and onto the chrome bridgeguard on top.

This is what I'm thinking:
Replace the bridge with a new custom made one that won't allow for sting adjustment, but will allow me to fit a passive piezo pickup and that will fit on the chrome the exact same way (in order to avoid any modification on the body).

The bridge dimentions are Lenght :14,7cm (5,78in) Height 5.5cm (2.16in) and Width: 1,1cm (0.43in)

Does anyone know:
If a piezo will work as well on a bridge this thick?
Any suggestions on what wood I should use to make the bridge?
What piezo should I use?
Maybe a way to make a piezo work on the original bridge.
What kind of endpin should I buy? This came with none (hole is ~1/2 inch)
Where can i possibly find a case for it?
What strings would suit it best?

Thank you in advance.

 

[T-34]

I've acquired almost the same bass recently and will have to restore it too (but mine is in worse shape: the "scroll" was brocken and badly repared).

Mine has the original endpin, I can take a a pic if you want.

 

[GuyOnTheCouch]

I've acquired almost the same bass recently and will have to restore it too (but mine is in worse shape: the "scroll" was brocken and badly repared).

Mine has the original endpin, I can take a a pic if you want.

That would be awesome. If you could also give me the measurements that would be very helpful. I forgot to add that the bout is also missing. Does yours have it?

 

[MrB]

Hey guys, I've owned one like this but of more recent design and used it since ....1975. That is to say I love it. I scraped down the original golden finish and its beautiful maple (flamed maple for the neck) is really shining. I have used various endpins including a angled cello one (Tortellier model) which I have given to a cellist friend. Recently I have ordered the new one from Warwick but still have to widen the hole in the body for it.
I have been comtemplating installing a piezzo in a new bridge but never started the project. So I'll be welcoming tips or suggestions. A guy close to here (that's Poitiers in France) has done it but keeps being very vague about it. I want to be able to play arco.
The original gigbag with its red plush inside is available since I got the modern one.
Let's exchange !!! Bruno.

 

[WarwickOfficial]

MrB, That sounds wonderful. Please post some pictures if you can, and don't hesitate to let me know if you need assistance in any way. Thanks!

 

[GuyOnTheCouch]

Hey! It's been a long while, but It's done.

Brand new handmade maple bridge with a K&K Double Big Twin attached. Leads out to a stereo output jack, onto a stereo 2-channel K&K preamp.

The new output.Notice the lack of string adjusters.

The case

Made-to-fit with compartments for all my stuff!

The most difficult thing was making the bridge. It took me maybe a month to get it just right.
Everything else was quite easy. Putting it together and setting it up is trivial if you are decent with a soldering iron.
Endpin is a standard 4/4 cello endpin and the case was handmade by a professional case-maker(?). I'll try to record something so you can hear it, but for now enjoy!

 

[GuyOnTheCouch]

it.
I have been comtemplating installing a piezzo in a new bridge but never started the project. So I'll be welcoming tips or suggestions.

If you don't feel like making a new bridge, I came across this http://www.barberatransducers.com/ . It come to about $500 which was too much for me, but a luthier who helped me with the project said he's tried them and they sound great.

 

[WarwickOfficial]

Very nice! Its great to see your Triumph back to playing condition. Enjoy it!!

 

[scojack]

Nice to see an old lady getting a new lease of life...brilliant stuff!

 

[BrusselsBass]

Hi guys, does anyone of you have experience installing a piezo PU UNDER the bridge?? There is a kit for the RB Triumph Lite, and I wonder if this could work, also if the magnetic Schaller PU can be mixed in.
Thanks for your thoughts / experience, Ulrich

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Hi guys, does anyone of you have experience installing a piezo PU UNDER the bridge?? There is a kit for the RB Triumph Lite, and I wonder if this could work, also if the magnetic Schaller PU can be mixed in.
Thanks for your thoughts / experience, Ulrich

I have made piezo pickups for under a Clevinger keyhole EUB based on (larger) piezo discs which I cut into form and sandwiched between wood to save the soldering points. The level is a bit small but it works. But it will raise the bridge by a few millimeters.
I used two under both bridge feet but made two impedance buffers (one for each element) and mixed one normal and one inverted signal.

If you want to mix an active magnet and a passive piezo you need an impedance buffer for the piezo. I just tried to mix a passive piezo disk under the bridge of my electric bass guitar with the active magnet output and the piezo is hardly audible at all. I knew that I need to buffer it, but there is not much room left in the compartment and I didn’t really want to make it work because then I have to install (other) source selectors and pots.

 

[BrusselsBass]

Thanks a lot - the 50s/60s Triumph has a passive Schaller (?) PU, so mixing would not be a problem.

I consider the Electronic for Triumph Lite incl. piezo pickup, but I am not sure if the piezo under the original Triumph bride (picture) will give enough power/input for the PU.... any ideas ???

This combination could also work: RockBass Triumph Wooden Bridge and the Electronic for Triumph Lite incl. piezo pickup, but this would change the bass from its original state

Parts are in the Wicks shop - Parts for Electric Upright Bass