Double Bass is my bridge square?

[shwashwa]

just curious as to how one tells if the underside of the bridge is perpendicular to the top? is eyeballing it good enough as long as the feet are in total contact with the top? would a T Square work for this or does the top of the bass curve too much?

 

[shwashwa]

Measure from the nut.

and what would that tell me?

 

[Don Kasper]

just curious as to how one tells if the underside of the bridge is perpendicular to the top? is eyeballing it good enough as long as the feet are in total contact with the top? would a T Square work for this or does the top curve too much?

Yes.
I use a plastic drafting triangle, with a 90 degree angle, to read the angle of the top vs. the flat side (facing down towards the tailpiece). I also make sure that the feet are in full contact with the top, by attempting to slide a thin piece of paper under the foot - from all sides. This will confirm that the foot is in full contact with the top. If there is a gap, (where the paper can slip under the foot), it means that the bridge is a bit tilted, usually due to the "pull" of the strings as they are tuned (usually) up in pitch - especially when changing strings.
Good Luck.
Thanks.

 

[shwashwa]

Yes.
I use a plastic drafting triangle, with a 90 degree angle, to read the angle of the top vs. the flat side (facing down towards the tailpiece). I also make sure that the feet are in full contact with the top, by attempting to slide a thin piece of paper under the foot - from all sides. This will confirm that the foot is in full contact with the top. If there is a gap, (where the paper can slip under the foot), it means that the bridge is a bit tilted, usually due to the "pull" of the strings as they are tuned (usually) up in pitch - especially when changing strings.
Good Luck.
Thanks.

thanks, so you dont find that the top of the bass curves too much to make the flat side of the triangle on the bass top ineffective?

 

[shwashwa]

You measure, in line with your E string, from the nut to the bridge. Then, you measure, in line with your G string, from the nut to the bridge.

If those measurements are the same, it's square.

i think you may be misunderstanding my question, also, not sure if you realize this is the double bass forum.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Ah ok, now I see where you're coming from:

 

[shwashwa]

Ah ok, now I see where you're coming from:

and now i see where you're coming from too. i should have put in my post, "assuming the feet are in the correct position." which would answer the question you were answering

 

[Don Kasper]

thanks, so you dont find that the top of the bass curves too much to make the flat side of the triangle on the bass top ineffective?

My triangle is just 6" X 6", so it is reading a fairly small section of the top. My bass is fairly flat at that part of the top. This is not an exact reading - I use it to try and keep the bridge relatively perpendicular to the average level of the top. The full contact of the feet is just as important, IMHO.
Thanks.

 

[Bill Fatty]

I've just used a little square from a kid's geometry set. It works fine. Just remember to put it against the tailpiece side of the bridge!
Actually when I did mine, the G foot was a little off the top on the fingerboard side (I could slide a piece of paper about halfway under it) so I tilted it a little to get full contact. It's not quite square now but getting the contact is more important. One day I'll sand down the foot a bit to get it square, but for now it's ok! The kid's setsquare is really all you'll need.
If you want to adjust the bridge, do like I saw on the Upton video - hold the bridge at the bottom with one hand, with the other hand grasp the string with your fingers and push the top of the bridge with your thumb, in the direction you want it to go. This gives nice control over the movement, and if you're careful and strong enough you can even do it with the strings in tension and tuned up.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

All bridges are not shaped and fitted to have 90º to the top on the tailpiece side. That line will then be through the side-center of the bridge.

 

[themarshall]

When the bridge whangs off the top it was out of square, leaning towards the nut. Bonus points for scaring mandolin players and dogs.