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Double Bass Is This a Good Bridge? or should I spend more money

#4
PaulCannon said:
Please don't buy that. It's a pain in the ass to fit bridge feet if the blank has adjusters pre-installed.

Take your bass to a reputable luthier and have them make an appropriate choice for your instrument. They should have no problem installing the adjusters themselves.
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I agree with Paul- but you might consider asking the person who will be doing the work what their thoughts are. Most shops will want to supply the parts they use- As professionals they have access to better sources that supply higher quality materials- trust them to get the best stuff for the job.

You may think that you are saving money by procuring your own parts, but this is most likely an illusion. Ever heard the phrase "Penny wise and pound foolish"? You might end up spending more in the long run.

The shop should stand behind the parts they install on your instrument- and I doubt they would warranty something that came from an unknown source.

MHO, YMMV and all that! :)

Respectfully,

Joe
 
#6
ethanbowen666 said:
well, I actually am. I'm just purchasing the bridge blank before hand then taking it in. Would you still recommend against this one?
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Speaking as someone who has worked in a shop on the repairs bench: please don't buy your own blank and then insist the shop install it for you. It doesn't save you any money (a shop can buy a better quality blank for less money), and the chances that you will have bought the proper size for your bass are relatively low. The fact that it has adjusters pre-installed helps nobody.

If you know more than the average customer about wood, instruments, and bridges, then you might express an opinion about what you'd like to see put on the instrument. Either way, let the shop order the parts for you. They can buy things wholesale.
 
#7
ethanbowen666 said:
So I'm pretty confident that I will be spending waay les money.
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What gives you this confidence?

Here's a link to a music supply wholesaler: Link Removed

These are the prices a luthier has access to which you do not. They can get a nice Despiau bridge blank for $40, which is half the cost of the mediocre-looking bridge you've linked to.
 
#9
ethanbowen666, I think the guy that started the "amateur neck repair" nightmare thread was also going the "I could save a whole ton of money" route. I'm not saying you'd be taking it to a hack repairman (at least I hope you're not), but really, there's a reason luthiers don't buy their bridges (or any materials) from Musician'sFriend. And there's a good reason why what luthiers do can be somewhat costly (just as there's a reason to let them supply the parts).
 
#10
okay again, I'm simply asking if that particular bridge is a good bridge. IF it where worth having it, even if it was free.

I can get it at my employee price for $30. The shop said they would give me -20% of the labor fee for fitting it, if I supplied the bridge blank.
 
#12
Here is another thing to consider: Is the bridge pictured the EXACT bridge you will get, or will you get one that looks "just like it"?

If the answer is the former- then no, that bridge is not of good quality.

If the answer is the latter- then you should take a picture of the exact blank you intend to have your luthier install and post it.

Regardless, I'm sorry that it seems as though you are getting frustrated with the responses you are receiving. We are trying to do the best with the information we have, and sincerely wish to help you.

I wish you the best of luck with your new bridge, where ever it may come from- and may you enjoy it in good health.

Joe
 
#13
DC Bass said:
Here is another thing to consider: Is the bridge pictured the EXACT bridge you will get, or will you get one that looks "just like it"?

If the answer is the former- then no, that bridge is not of good quality.

If the answer is the latter- then you should take a picture of the exact blank you intend to have your luthier install and post it.

Regardless, I'm sorry that it seems as though you are getting frustrated with the responses you are receiving. We are trying to do the best with the information we have, and sincerely wish to help you.

I wish you the best of luck with your new bridge, where ever it may come from- and may you enjoy it in good health.

Joe
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No no I really appreciate all of your responses and I think I've gotten my answer now. I just wanted to make sure my question was properly understood. It's just I can get that for $30 + 20% off labor. or pay him $310 for his bridge (including labor).

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What would you say about this bridge? this one's a step up, made in Germany with better quality wood. If you don't think this is a good one I'm just going to give him the $300 bones
 
#14
Ok, let's quit wasting words here, buying your own blank is not a good idea.


Let's say I charge $350 to put on a Despiau two-tree bridge with wheel adjusters from Peter Mach. If you brought me your bridge blank and insisted that I put it on your bass, I'd still charge you $350. Most respectable bass-specific luthiers would probably do the same.
 
#15
There is at least one recent thread around here pertaining to those "self adjusting feet" bridges, but I can't seem to find it at the moment. The concensus is that they are another bad idea- better to pass on that methinks.

One point of interest- note the "flecks" (dark dots) in the wood of the most recent candidate. Generally speaking, the more flecks you see, the better the bridge. Compare the second bridge, which has some, to the first bridge which has none.

Check this out:

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1158-3_4_UPRIGHT_BASS_ADJUSTABLE_BRIDGE.html

In this link there is another link to "frequently asked questions" about bridges that I believe will help you in your decision making.

If I was in your shoes, and bound and determined to bring a blank to the shop, I'd get it from Gollihur...no disrespect intended towards your employer.

FWIW- Three bones for a bridge is quite reasonable- provided the finished product is properly fitted and made of good quality wood. :)

Joe
 
#16
DC Bass said:
Check this out:

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/1158-3_4_UPRIGHT_BASS_ADJUSTABLE_BRIDGE.html

In this link there is another link to "frequently asked questions" about bridges that I believe will help you in your decision making.

If I was in your shoes, and bound and determined to bring a blank to the shop, I'd get it from Gollihur...no disrespect intended towards your employer.

FWIW- Three bones for a bridge is quite reasonable- provided the finished product is properly fitted and made of good quality wood. :)

Joe
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Haha okay thanks, that link helped. I think I'm just gunna go with the luthier. It sounds to me like its worth the extra money even after my discount. Thanks everyone!!
And that's okay I HATE my employer :spit:
 
#17
ethanbowen666 said:
Was wondering if this would be a good bridge

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Or is it worth me spending a lot more money to get one made in Germany?
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Firstly, that bridge is made from mushy Chinese maple and will neither sound good or last long before warping under the pressure from the strings.

Secondly, its REALLY hard to fit the feet properly when they aren't still attached to the bridge.

Thirdly, its impossible for the luthier to guarantee such an installation and you don't want to put yourself in that situation.

For these reasons, I will not fit a customer-supplied bridge.
 
#18
Jake deVilliers said:
Firstly, that bridge is made from mushy Chinese maple and will neither sound good or last long before warping under the pressure from the strings.

Secondly, its REALLY hard to fit the feet properly when they aren't still attached to the bridge.

Thirdly, its impossible for the luthier to guarantee such an installation and you don't want to put yourself in that situation.

For these reasons, I will not fit a customer-supplied bridge.
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+1!
 

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