Double Bass How can a bridge be so perfect?

[timobee4]

Off topic: You'll love this gypsy violin bridge :

George

I do love this "Gypsy Violin Bridge because thanks to the high resolution pictures I can see that this lovely bridge is also a self adjusting bridge on both but specially the far foot you can clearly see the circular outline! Thanks heaps!! By the way my bridge past the lipstick test 100%! My wife thought I am up to something weird when I asked for a red lipstick!

 

[George700DL]

I do love this "Gypsy Violin Bridge because thanks to the high resolution pictures I can see that this lovely bridge is also a self adjusting bridge! Thanks heaps!! By the way my bridge past the lipstick test 100%! My wife thought I am up to something weird when I asked for a red lipstick!

I think that violin bridge adjusted itself about 5 years ago

By the way, I carved my 3-string viola bridge in a similar way - basically removing as much wood as possible without snapping. Talk about a loud viola!

George

 

[timobee4]

Talk about a loud viola!
George

I would absolutely LOVE to get a viola!

 

[David Hart]

Hi, just came across this forum and this thread was my first glimpse into the exciting world of talkbass!

...where to start? That violin bridge is not 'self adjusting', or 'gypsy'. It's 'experimental' and 'covered in crap'.

timobee, please post pictures of you putting lipstick on your double bass. No pictures, didn't happen! Also please post the angle that the bridge is sitting in relation to the top... this is a part of fitting the feet which your magical bridge may not have taken into account.

Is a perfect fit necessary? I know with violins the difference particularly in projection can be audible. The other thing worth considering is, if you have a bridge which hasn't been fitted, then the weight of the strings will focus on a point, which can lead to indentations in the top. But this only affects the poor guy who has to fit the next bridge, so...

 

[timobee4]

I couldn't give a toss what you think! And I am not going to disassemble my bass again just to satisfy one rude person who reckons that I am just saying about the lipstick I have two more words in my vocab too! It took me some time to get the bloody thing of my bridge and it can also damage the finish on my bass! And that violin bridge IS self adjusting Aubert with the wings trimmed down! You have to be blind not to see the circular outline of the feet even though it has crap on it! I am over it! Buy one and see and learn mate!

Also fill out your profile as per TB policy so we know who we chatting with!!

Hi, just came across this forum and this thread was my first glimpse into the exciting world of talkbass!

...where to start? That violin bridge is not 'self adjusting', or 'gypsy'. It's 'experimental' and 'covered in crap'.

timobee, please post pictures of you putting lipstick on your double bass. No pictures, didn't happen! Also please post the angle that the bridge is sitting in relation to the top... this is a part of fitting the feet which your magical bridge may not have taken into account.

 

[David Hart]

Hey, I'm not trying to be rude here. I'm just asking what I consider valid questions when it comes to bridge fitting.

I did not find any rules about filling out my profile.. as I am new, please feel free to point me in the right direction!

The reason why I know it is not an adjustable foot bridge is because of the profile of the side of the bridge. You will notice in this example:

that the side of the bridge above the foot is flat and squared, whereas the bridge pictured previously has a traditional bridge profile. The adjustable bridge has never had a traditional profile.. the area above the ankles is virtually unadjustable, which is one reason why many professionals don't use them.
The arc which is visible is a product of old, darkened rosin and fresher, white rosin and is incidental. As a professional I can make out the saw marks created when cutting the inside of the ankles.



I have seen many adjustable bridges, and many of those had the feet retrimmed by a luthier, and still didn't fit properly. On violins there is just so much variance in contour that the adjustable bridge concept just doesnt work, even as an emergency. As you pointed out, however, the difference between double bases is significantly less. But does this mean it is not there, or that it isn't noticeable??

 

[Cody Sisk]

The other thing worth considering is, if you have a bridge which hasn't been fitted, then the weight of the strings will focus on a point, which can lead to indentations in the top. But this only affects the poor guy who has to fit the next bridge, so...

You're dead-on with this conclusion David. We must remember how soft spruce is and how much pressure is being concentrated on ~2 square inches. Welcome to TB!

 

[George700DL]

Hi, just came across this forum and this thread was my first glimpse into the exciting world of talkbass!

...where to start? That violin bridge is not 'self adjusting', or 'gypsy'. It's 'experimental' and 'covered in crap'.

Hi David, the displayed violin bridge is, indeed, the type of bridge gypsies of Maramures, Romania use (the idea is maximum volume and shrillness), and this picture was taken on location. They also tune up by a few steps. But it is, as you noticed, covered in crap And no, it's not adjustable.

Though it is a bit of a side-track, I posted the picture for Timobee to illustrate my point: People get by with less than perfect setup and it works for them. It doesn't mean it couldn't be better.

George

 

[MatticusMania]

 

[timobee4]

Mr DallasString, with the outmost respect you talk a hell of a lot but say NOTHING! Can we please have your expert opinion based on YOUR first hand experience with the Aubert Mirecourt Self Adjusting Bridge! We all read a lot of opinion and useless bitching based on assumption. Not one person added anything of value based on first hand knowledge! So I think its reasonable to ask the "Masters"! I only assume too that you never seen this kind of bridge close up ever in your life so I can suggest if I may since you are a business as well as a muso why not order one from Elderly Instruments!!!!!! [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
so at least you can say that you really know what you talking about! Better yet, take it up with them! Don't be shy ask them! And next time instead of running off certain part, read the thread and understand that it was suggested as a desperate measure for people have NO access to luthiers!

Welcome to TB!

 

[bssist]

OMG! Make it stop! :scowl:

(hands over ears) la, la, la, la, la ... mom, dad, stop! You're scaring me! let it die already!

 

[Matt Power]

Is that the Rogue River bridge in Gold Beach?!? I was the band director there! God, I miss the wildness of that beautiful place in Oregon! So serene, remote, untouched, and beautiful!

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Mr DallasString, with the outmost respect you talk a hell of a lot but say NOTHING! Can we please have your expert opinion based on YOUR first hand experience with the Aubert Mirecourt Self Adjusting Bridge! We all read a lot of opinion and useless bitching based on assumption. Not one person added anything of value based on first hand knowledge! So I think its reasonable to ask the "Masters"! I only assume too that you never seen this kind of bridge close up ever in your life so I can suggest if I may since you are a business as well as a muso why not order one from Elderly Instruments!!!!!! [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
so at least you can say that you really know what you talking about! Better yet, take it up with them! Don't be shy ask them! And next time instead of running off certain part, read the thread and understand that it was suggested as a desperate measure for people have NO access to luthiers!

Enough already. It's fine if you like your bridge. It's also fine if luthiers and those with bridge-fitting experience discuss the downsides of bridges which claim to be self adjusting. It's not worth fighting over. If this thread continues in a disrespectful line of response, I'll have to close it.

 

[timobee4]

Perhaps we will at some point get an objective expert opinion based on hands on experience instead of all these fictional "monkey love" toward traditional bridges failing to see that the message is for the unfortunate opal miners out in the bush far from luthiers The thread already simmered down only to be lit again! There are only one respectful luthier in the discussion the rest have no interest in the bridge, only hypothesizing based on what they think they know! Three months ago I'd be one of them for sure after 30+ years of fitted to perfection beautiful luthier bridges. And I am sorry but although we heard about the questionable fictional downsides and I have sort of taken it on board but when it's completely dismissed even as a substitute???!!! What was I supposed to use, a coke can?? I only tried to help before the thread was hijacked. Would Elderly Instruments sell something substandard? Would Aubert (long time string instrument specialists) put their stamp on something that will cave your bass in or what not?? As I said it improved my carved bass and I know other happy customers using it for years, one is on a 15-20.000AU$ range bass.
Think about it. Nothing is disrespectful standing up for a sound logical opinion! I kept it real nice all the was despite being called names all sorts! I will defend my opinion respectfully unlike some. It would actually be a good discussion if we hear from people or luthiers used or seen one. It's not about the bridge Chris, I dared to say that something can be installed without luthier intervention. That is the real thorn! Funny but now I am going back to civilization and I will get an A grade bridge cut because although I love the sound I am not sure about the look! Storm in the tea cup )

Enough already. It's fine if you like your bridge. It's also fine if luthiers and those with bridge-fitting experience discuss the downsides of bridges which claim to be self adjusting. It's not worth fighting over. If this thread continues in a disrespectful line of response, I'll have to close it.

 

[Cody Sisk]

Hmmm, let's review shall we?

The best luthier on the planet can NOT cut me a bridge that fits better!!

my luthier bridge cost me 450$ with adjusters and set up and God knows its NOT any better than this problem free bridge

If you read the thread through and trough you'll see that the whole spill is about how this bridge don't need any luthier at all!

Luthiers don't deal with this kind of bridge they might install it but a REAL opinion can hardly come from them simply because this bridge is money out of their pocket, they don't have to work on it!

Unfortunately I have to argue with people laughing with ZERO experience regarding Aubert Mirecourt, merely living inside their own narrow minded assumption! Yes the earth IS flat!

What I said about me not being interested about a luthier opinion was only objective!

In the meantime have a laugh I know that only 20% really knows whats going on the rest is just a followers. I am replaying only to you because you couldnt be further from the truth if you think that I meant disrespect by saying that this bridge is of no interest to you guys as it brings no bread to the table!

There are only one respectful luthier in the discussion the rest have no interest in the bridge, only hypothesizing based on what they think they know!


Mr DallasString, with the outmost respect you talk a hell of a lot but say NOTHING!

Nice pontification, but here is what really has me scratching my head..

my luthier bridge cost me 450$ with adjusters and set up and God knows its NOT any better than this problem free bridge

then later in the thread, we see this..

Better?? So what makes people think that way I wonder????? Time and time again I stressed that it is ONLY an Adequate Functional Substitute

and so now we see this...

Can we please have your expert opinion based on YOUR first hand experience with the Aubert Mirecourt Self Adjusting Bridge! We all read a lot of opinion and useless bitching based on assumption. Not one person added anything of value based on first hand knowledge! So I think its reasonable to ask the "Masters"!

Nope, I ain't tellin! You have no desire to hear what I have to say and you only wish I would post so that you can tear down my argument. Homey don't play dat.. For me it's the "pearls before swine" thing..

 

[M0ses]

I can count the number of sentences you DIDN'T end with an exclamation mark on one hand.

 

[Charling]

I can count the number of sentences you DIDN'T end with an exclamation mark on one hand.

And I can count the number of paragraphs used, also, on one hand.

This is nuts, regardless of the positives and/or negatives of the bridge. Timobee4, you rarely address the points put forward by experienced folk and respond with something which to THEM, is a little insulting.

Its smacks of someone learning theory saying, oh, you don't use b5's, they sound horrible, use MAJOR 3RDS!

Note, I'm not aligning b5's to the traditional bridge and M3rds to yours in any way. More someone who has discovered how great one easy option can sound using it to disregard something experienced folk can use to make something sound beautiful, albeit with more difficulty. It's imperfect, but hits home on SOME points at least.

I know you say that you didn't disregard the traditional setup, but people have politely posted showing the pitfalls of such a system and you have responded with 'no, but, MAJOR THIRDS!!!!!!!!!!'.

It's cool, I get that it may well be the best option in some cases, but you should take the advice of experienced luthiers and say 'yes, I know its not the best option but its easy and can sometimes really work in a pinch'. Rather than trying to defend some corner that, obscurely, you state yourself does not really exist, WHILE simultaneously spreading propoganda that it actually DOES exist (see DallasStrings' quote above).

Thankfully, I have a luthier near me, so I will never have to try this sort of bridge. In other situations, who knows? The trouble is I KNOW you are not a sales person but we are saturated with their B******T daily and are very wary of anyone trying to sell what may later transpire to be fairy gold. Anyone masquerading anything as even 10% better than the best known alternative is likely to be met with resistance for real reasons, the standard practice measurable throughout history is there for a reason.

The fundamentals of woodworking such an item as a bridge were explored many years ago, and I treat anything that goes against those standards with utmost scepticism. Progress is there to be made, but simple things like cutting an extra bit of wood out of a certain bit of a bridge is likely to have been explored centuries ago and evidently discounted. To recognize the advances in a craft(/art) you need to be aware of what sort of area to be looking for an advance IN, given the current technological stage of mankind. A bit of wood lost from a time honored shape is not such a case, we went through that stage years ago, when we get radical re-realisations based on newly discovered forces or properties, THEN I will be bothered enough to consider getting out my wallet, along with many others.

Until then, when such people who have learned from the previous generation of learners, who have learned from the previous generation of learners, who have.... etc approach the subject with a humble mind.

I'm a bit of a 'respect for knowledge' Nazi, and I apologize for that. But I think it's all we have as a race (hehe, getting very heavy!), extelligence is key. I hope this thread is closed soon!

 

[bssist]

I hope this thread is closed soon!

I second that motion.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

This thread is still open?

 

[Bijoux]

Nothing is disrespectful standing up for a sound logical opinion! I kept it real nice all the was despite being called names all sorts! I will defend my opinion respectfully unlike some.

I just found this thread. And actually you have been disrespectful from the get go. I am actually surprised how nice everyone else have been and have tried to stay on topic, when you have been rude. I think you can express your opinion and defend it and still be courteous to your fellow bass players. Unfortunately other people have also been out of line towards you. But I kind of feel you have brought upon yourself.

Back to topic.
I have owned a few of these bridges. And actually they did do the trick momentarily, and they even made my bass sound good. But they did not fit any of my basses perfectly. It was unfortunate that later I realized that they had indeed indented the top. I would consider another one for an emergency. But from my experience I wouldn't recommend them long term.