Instructions say to file wood to enlarge the bridge wing gap. I'm not comfortable doing this myself, so I would take it to a luthier. But if I'm going to that expense, should I consider something else, like full circle?
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Double Bass K&K Bassmax: bridge wings too small
- Thread starter Pings Bass
- Start date
A coarse emery board will do it for under $5.
Yup, you can do it!! Emery board, do a little at a time, easy-peasy. If you accidentally go too far you can shim the pickup with a little bit of paper or a business card, but you're unlikely to have any problems.
- Jul 19, 2000
- 2,014
- 2,224
- Disclosures
- Owner/President, Gollihur Music LLC
Send me your email address, I'll forward you our simplified directions for filing out the wing - it may give you more confidence to do it yourself. Contact me through the form at www.gollihurmusic.com/contact.cfm
Thanks Mark, sent you my email. Thanks to the others, too, though my poll so far is 2 to 2, so not giving me a lot of clarity!
It looks like I need to remove something between 1/16 and 1/8 inches of wood. Let's call it 3/32. See attached pic. My gut says this won't make any difference in the integrity of the bridge or tone, but I'm super nervous about removing any wood at all!
It looks like I need to remove something between 1/16 and 1/8 inches of wood. Let's call it 3/32. See attached pic. My gut says this won't make any difference in the integrity of the bridge or tone, but I'm super nervous about removing any wood at all!
It will not affect the integrity of the bridge at all, or affect the sound in any detrimental way. Go for it!
EDIT: Pretty sure those who voted "use something else" are saying that because they are not fans of the Bass Max and not because they think that singing the wings will hurt anything.
EDIT: Pretty sure those who voted "use something else" are saying that because they are not fans of the Bass Max and not because they think that singing the wings will hurt anything.
EDIT: Pretty sure those who voted "use something else" are saying that because they are not fans of the Bass Max and not because they think that singing the wings will hurt anything.
Yep, that's how I'm reading it, and I'm okay with that... I picked up the Bass Max used and would be happy to sell it again if the overwhelming response was "don't (de)file your bass for that piece of junk!"
I used to repair band instruments, but wood makes me nervous.
I'm leaning strongly toward filing it at this point, though, thanks to all the free advice here.
- Jul 19, 2000
- 2,014
- 2,224
- Disclosures
- Owner/President, Gollihur Music LLC
It's pretty easy to do. Do it well, though - flat, even contact on both sides will bring the result that is usually the difference between the people who say "do it" and those who say "skip it."
I emailed the instructions. Good luck!
I emailed the instructions. Good luck!
I started with a K&K...easy to install, fine sound....and even though I have since moved on I am very glad to still have it (and my already-filed bridge) ready to go at a moment's notice as a great back-up to my current pickup.
Ok, you all rock! Emery boards, a nail file and patience did the trick. Don't know why I was so nervous; I used to file saxophone tone holes for a living! 
It sounds good, better than expected, and I can always upgrade to something else later.
Thanks again, couldn't (wouldn't) have done it withoutcha.
It sounds good, better than expected, and I can always upgrade to something else later.
Thanks again, couldn't (wouldn't) have done it withoutcha.
Estaban, you might want to keep in mind that while the standard location for a single bridge pickup is on the EA side of the bridge, some strings sound better on the DG side of the bridge. You may eventually want to experiment with both sides, especially if you're mixing strings.
As an example, I'm using Innovation SilverSlaps E & A strings and on my bass they produced far too much technique noise when amped. Switching my bridge wing pickup to the DG side of the bridge, where I'm using SBW Deluxe D & G (spiral cut kevlar core wackers), got rid of the majority of the technique noise and balanced this mixed set extremely well. It also balanced out my slap sounds extremely nicely.
As an example, I'm using Innovation SilverSlaps E & A strings and on my bass they produced far too much technique noise when amped. Switching my bridge wing pickup to the DG side of the bridge, where I'm using SBW Deluxe D & G (spiral cut kevlar core wackers), got rid of the majority of the technique noise and balanced this mixed set extremely well. It also balanced out my slap sounds extremely nicely.
