Intonation Problems on one string of an upright bass

Sounds like the bridge is crooked, with the G string side either too far in the end pin direction or too far towards the nut (depending on what you mean by “down”). How about posting some pictures of the position of your bridge so that we can see its position?

 

Are all 4 strings the same type? The type and gauge of the string has an impact on intonation.

In doing a Google search, it appears that the dominant idea is the bridge is not compensated on double bass. I am a bit surprised as most people I have discussed this with angle the bridge slightly so the vibrating length of the E string is a bit longer than the G string. Right or wrong, this is how I setup my basses, and I feel it helps make intonation across the strings more consistent.

 

It's also possible the G string is bad.

Or, it could be the height of the strings above the neck is not set properly. I.E. if the G string is too high or too low the intonation will suffer. This could be something as simple as the bridge was bumped so the strings are no longer centered properly over the fingerboard.

The radius of the fingerboard and bridge should be pretty much the same, but I would expect the strings to get progressively higher as you move from G to E. However, the difference in height is subtle.

 

Get thee to a teacher for a lesson with this bass!
There are plenty of technique issues that could account for the discrepancy and a teacher can spot immediately whether it's your form or the bass.

 

Perhaps the nut groove is too high ... although that would make all stopped notes a little sharp.

 

That looks pretty drastic, and keep in mind, I use a bit of compensation.

 

Yup; as I suspected! The E string side of the bridge should be moved a bit towards the nut and the G string side of the bridge moved a bit towards the end pin. An imaginary line drawn connecting the inside f-hole notch on the E string side to the inside f-hole notch on the G string side should pretty much pass through the middle of each bridge foot. Also, the end pin side of the bridge should be approximately perpendicular to the top of the bass.

I think a trip to a real bass luthier for a professional set-up would be in order, since it appears that the music store you rented this from doesn’t really know how to set up an upright bass if this was the condition you got it in.

 

I have never heard of angling the bridge as you describe from any luthier or bass player.

 

Looks like it was set up by a bass guitar repair person. Bad idea.

 

Who set up that bridge, Picasso?

 

As I mentioned, having the bridge straight comes as a surprise to me, thus why I put with my comment. From what I have seen, there tends to be regional differences in technique and setup among UB players. I.E. a master in an area may have an influence on the players in an orchestra for example. I believe this is something I was taught in my hometown from the principal bassist of the local symphony, and an adjustment that I do as necessary on the basses I play. However, if the intonation is fine without the compensation, I leave the bridge alone.

I think the angle of the OP's bridge looks extreme, and it is likely the source of the problem. I could also be an attempt to correct the problem ; so maybe there are other issues with the bass.

 

Also looks like the bridge is backwards based on the flat side vs the beveled side and the string slots... definitely have a luthier look at this sooner rather than later. It will be much easier to play and intonate when it's set up properly.

 

x1,000...

How about a shot of the nut on this bass? There's a chance it could have been setup properly at some point and then had the bridge knocked over and set back reversed and crooked, possibly even by another renter? But also could have just never been setup right in the first place..

 

I didn't know that Guitar Center does DB setups!
Good to know...

 

The slots in the bridge don't look right. Notice that the G string notch is the same size as the E string notch. Also, the notches in the bridge are square, they should be round and approximately the same width as the string they hold. Somebody messed with the bridge, take it back to where you rented it and have them fix it, or let them send it out to be made right

 

yeah... bridge is on backwards, not aligned correctly, nut looks like amateur hour to me. the shop you got the bass from doesn't know anything about the instrument... i'd return it and rent from someone else who deals with basses and at the very least violin family instruments.