Double Bass Intonation difference between double bass and bass guitar

[ed morgan]

I'm not a double bass player-yet-but I've noticed something. On a bass guitar the bridge is adjustable for each string to adjust intonation,while the double bass bridge is essentially non-adjustable. Do double basses not have intonation issues or is this compensated for by them being fretless? I did play one once that HAD frets though,so that wouldn't work for that one. How does this work?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

If there are frets (like on a Violone), they usually stop at the fifth whereas a bass guitar often stops at two octaves, which is much more sensitive than the fifth.
The bridge on a DB is not glued or screwed on, it just stays there by string tension and can be moved a bit if needed.
For the normal fretless fingerboard you correct your intonation by ear. But for the lower strings a mm doesn't make huge difference in the lower positions.

 

[ed morgan]

Thanks,that makes sense.

 

[neilG]

Yes, we compensate with our fingers. Also, DB players are not expected to play in equal temperament all the time, so frets would not be compatible.