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Double Bass Having problems with adjusting the bridge

B

bassmasta94

Jul 21, 2009
118
0
32
Connecticut
#1
Hey guys, ive had my bass for about a year now, and i have a david gage realist pickup on it, and every time i want to adjust the bridge to lower or raise the action it always a HUGE hassle because the foot of the bridge moves when i turn the adjusting wheel. I think on the right bridge foot it definatly has something to do with the pickup thats under the bridge, but the foot also moves on the left side. Maybe i just have a crappy bridge, or not enough tension on my strings. I thought one of you guys could tell me what i could do to fix this or any tips that youve encountered yourself if youd had this problem. Thanks
 
#6
It's just that there is more friction between the threads of the adjusters and the tapped hole than the contact between the bottom of the feet and the copper wafer of the pickup.

I wouldn't recommend putting any lubricant on the threads as this would impede some transmission of vibrations.

Since most people don't adjust the height of the bridge too often, I would recommend using an adjustable pipe wrench (or something similar) to hold the foot of the bridge while adjusting the height of the bridge. Use a rag to prevent the metal from marring the belly of the bass.

Also, the bottom of the foot may not be carved correctly so it pivots around a high spot.
 
#8
a good foot-fit and a bit of rosin powder under each bridge foot helps keep them in place. Also a bit of candlewax on the adjuster threads does no harm and keeps them turning freely.

I suspect that when the realist was installed the bridge feet were not adjusted to compensate for the extra thickness under the E foot.
 
#11
bejoyous said:
I wouldn't recommend putting any lubricant on the threads as this would impede some transmission of vibrations.
Click to expand...

I agree that this isn't the solution but not because I believe the lubricant would impeded vibrations. Seems to be a bridge-foot/top fitting issue.
 
#15
clink said:
Chances are some wood needs to come off the G side of the E foot. Try raising the G adjuster a mm or two and see if the E foot becomes more stable.
Click to expand...

... but sometimes it's the G side of the G foot!

Here's a quick cheat - if the adjuster threads are in the UPPER part of the leg, you can sometimes enlarge the unthreaded hole in the G foot slightly (SLIGHTLY!) to allow the foot to tilt back into position.

The rosin trick should do it, though. try that first.
 
#18
Hadn't thought of that. A little forgiveness in the unthreaded portion of the bridge is a good thing. I have had to shave some wood off the E feet on two bridges but the G feet were fine. In both cases, the unthreaded holes allowed the G feet to fit well.
 
#19
I have similar problems with my adjusters. There is just too much friction. My solution though I have yet to test it a significant amount of times is this:

I use two 1/2" by 1/2" sticks about 8" long. I place these on either side of the bridge at the feet. I clamp each end to so each foot is holding the other in position. Then I make my adjustments.

It being in the mid to high 90's everyday here now. I probably need to do this again.
 

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