Double Bass how do i fix this?

[ferralslug14]

Im an electric bass player and im new to upright basses
i bought this local mase bass and i noticed the string action was pretty high. Is there a way to lower the action? or am i just being dramatic and the strings are supposed to be this high.

 

[GretschWretch]

No, the strings are not supposed to be that high, and the cause could be a combination of nut slots not being cut deeply enough to the bridge itself just being far too high. I am uneasy about the neck/fingerboard, which to me looks a bit too scooped or curvy in places.

More pics would help. More experienced, reliable opinions should come along before too long. Have patience.

 

[ferralslug14]

Thanks for the fast reply man! Yeah i was looking at more profesionaly done basses online and ive noticed that the nut itself is pretty high. I'll wait for more responses and I'll work on trying to fix it. I did fully expect this bass to be not that good tho because it was an old local made bass. Anyways, thanks for the reply!

 

[Martin Beer]

A picture of the bridge might help - it may be that the current bridge has been put on without properly fitting it.

 

[SteveCS]

Im an electric bass player and im new to upright basses
i bought this local mase bass and i noticed the string action was pretty high. Is there a way to lower the action? or am i just being dramatic and the strings are supposed to be this high.

I remember seeing one with a high action like that several years ago - it was looking sad in the corner of the music room at my daughter's high school. Turned out, after an abortive attempt to tune up, that the sound post had fallen away (it was rattling around inside) which allowed the top to start collapsing. This in turn caused damage to the bass bar and the neck (heel) joint. Someone had obviously de-tuned the strings before terminal implosion occurred!! Have you checked the sound-post installation? Is one actually fitted? Does the action (neck angle) change as you tune up and down? Does it make nasty creaks and crackling noises as you tune up?

 

[lurk]

You need to take this bass to someone who repairs acoustic basses for a living - not a music store or guitar tech - and ask them. I'm sure if you reveal your location someone here will point you in the right direction.

 

[BobDeRosa]

@lurk nailed it. Since you're new to upright, don't mess with it. Take it to a good luthier.

 

[RSBBass]

I will third the motion, take it to a pro.

 

[SAlcott]

What's a "mase bass"?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

A lot of potential dangerous things can have happened that you cannot solve yourself. Take the bass to a double bass luthier in your area. It is worth the money and might be less than you expect.

 

[Kevin Wolfe]

I concur. Most new basses are not “set up” at all when purchased. That bass probably just need the nut and bridge slotted and fit properly and maybe the board shaped correctly. A new bridge blank generally need a lot of wood removed to vibrate well.
A good set up even make a bass sound better.

 

[Ketbass]

Could we get more pics of this bass? Does it have an adjustable bridge? If it does, it might just need lowering. Slotting the nut is not that difficult, but a luthier in your area is definitely worth talking to. How much did you pay for this bass? Is it worth taking to luthier or is this a project for you? I have so many questions about this post.

 

[Papageno]

The strings are much to high. Seeing that nut really hurts.

 

[Phil Rowan]

Best case it’s the bridge that’s too high, worst case it’s that the neck is detaching from the neck block. As others have said, let us know your general location so we can recommend a luthier that specializes in double bass repair (and if you don’t feel comfortable doing so, look up the luthier list on Gollihur’s site).