Double Bass Kay bridge. Is this normal..?

[Ripper75]

I’m new to double bass, recently bought this 60s Kay and the bridge seems odd to me, it kinda slopes down at the G string, also seems like the strings are maybe a bit too far to the left..?

 

[Ripper75]

Front view, see how strings are over to the left..? the action is pretty low at the G string...just wondering if it might need a new bridge

 

[Kenan]

Front view, see how strings are over to the left..? the action is pretty low at the G string...just wondering if it might need a new bridge

It does look that way. So move your bridge a little to the right. It's not fixed in place.

 

[LouisF]

I dunno but it looks like it was put on backwards - that kind of slope would be more appropriate to the E string. Can you look at the underside of the bridge (between the tailpiece) and see if the bridge has a brand name stamped there. If so the bridge is upside down. (Don't fix it yourself!!!)

 

[Ripper75]

Not seeing a brand name

 

[Ripper75]

Another pic

 

[Johnny Fingers]

Looks like it sort of corresponds to the radius of the fingerboard on the last photo.

 

[LouisF]

No brand ok - not important; if it's just a question of height, you can turn the metal wheels a crank or two to raise the bridge height. If they haven't moved in a while you might want to down tune the G by a half step.

Some info here:
and:

and: Liutaio Mottola Lutherie Information Website

 

[Ripper75]

I think the G side wheel is as high as it will go

 

[Ripper75]

Wheels

 

[Levin Hannaford]

Cool bass! Looks like that bridge is on backwards. The slope would have possibly been cut to accommodate the Romberg bevel on the E side. If you flip it over and it still doesn’t work, I’d cut a new one - you’ll get much better action and probably enjoyment out of playing the bass, too.

Good luck!

 

[james condino]

It looks like the bridge has moved about 1/4" over towards the Bass side. Slack the strings a couple of turns and karate chop it towards the treble side until all of the strings are evenly proportioned when looking down on the fingerboard. That is a good starting point.

More than anything, the funky heavy arch shape looks like what you get when someone brings in a relatively low arch / flatter fingerboard bass to a shop who picks up one of the violin setup books and creates a huge arc for orchestral bowing (not something Kays excel at or are usually played for). Then it winds up in the hands of a distinctly non- bowing bluegrass or Americana player and not much makes sense.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Assuming the neck and fingerboard are straight, the bridge should be centered on the top. Anytime one adjuster is raised, the strings will move to the opposite side of the fingerboard because the top of the bridge will tilt. The bridge profile doesn’t look odd to me and it may be necessary to follow the profile at the end of the fingerboard.
Get it to a luthier.