Double Bass How do I raise the action?

[Jacob Bartfield]

I recently picked up my bass again after not playing it for about three weeks. (I was on vacation). I noticed that the strings were noticeably closer to the fingerboard. Unless I play incredibly lightly, I get a horrible buzzing in first position, (which is probobly where I play half the time). What whould I do about this? It seems like a fairly normal thing to happen, but I just don't know how to fix the problem without doing something drastic. I'm used to dealing with my electric basses. Clearly the upright doesn't have a truss rod, and unfortunately my bridge is non adjustable.

 

[Bob Branstetter]

Probably the cheapest solution is to get a luthier to install adjusters in your present bridge (assuming it is still straight).

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

Also, it's possible your bridge is tilting away from vertical, changing the height of the strings.

 

[davegr8house]

Originally posted by Bob Branstetter
Probably the cheapest solution is to get a luthier to install adjusters in your present bridge (assuming it is still straight).

Hello Bob,
Interesting you said "assuming it is still straight". On my current Bass "Old German", if I squat down and look at my Bridge from the front I can see a warp. The E and A string being a bit higher than the D and G. The feet are straight and parallel. Is this a Bad thing? The Bass plays fine and my Teacher/Luthier dont seem to concerned. Just said "we may address it in the future". Could this be robbing me of tone and volume? Thank you for your time.

Dave

 

[Bob Branstetter]

The A and E strings are supposed to be higher because of the larger period of vibration of the larger strings. When I said straight, I meant the back to bridge. Take a ruler and place it on the back side of the bridge from the feet to the top. That is what should be straight.

 

[davegr8house]

Thank you Bob,
I`m good then man I love the site..

Dave

 

[Jacob Bartfield]

Thanks for the replys. I just talked to two bass teachers in my school, and they both said that I should get adjusters put in. They actually both directed me to the same person. The tough part will just be getting there. (I don't have a car).

By the way, I've only had my bass for a few months. It's new, and was set up really well, so the bridge is still straight. I'm assuming the action just moved because of the weather.