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Double Bass Like a Bridge over

#3
VegasGutPlucker said:
I've been hunting for a 3 tree, or even 2 tree Despiau bridge to replace the stock one that's been on my bass for a decade, but no one seems to carry them.
Any leads? Looking for a really great quality piece of wood, doesn't have to be Despiau, just what some have recommended.
Click to expand...

Despiau hasn't been making two tree bridges because the wood's not there but you can get very nice one tree and three tree bridges from Metropolitan Music. That's where mine come from.
 
#5
How do you pronounce Despiau? Also, would a higher quality bridge really benefit a lower quality bass like my old Kay? I rarely play it any more, but the bridge on that bass is such an abomination, that this might be a chance to try my hand at fitting a bridge.
 
#9
fdeck said:
How do you pronounce Despiau
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Try getting an agreement on pronunciation living in North Carolina....I usually just point to the stamp and tell folks it's the French one....

Old Kays definitely benefit from a better quality bridge, but the basic Ecolier model Despiau works fine. Usually when someone comes in for bridge help, things are in pretty bad shape and they can no longer muscle their way through it. You get a new bridge, but you also tend to get a lot of other setup love that comes with it- soundpost adjustment, fine tune the nut, glue up a loose seam or two, et cetera. The end result is a noticeable setup and sound improvement, but not one that I'll always attribute to just the new bridge. Avoid the $70 cheap Chinese bridge with adjusters; they are tend to warp all over the place within three years....

No financial or other interest here, but I've installed a few of the made in USA bridges that Upton sells this year and they have been very appropriate for an old Kay. Nice to keep the $ domestically. Maybee if I buy enough of them Gary or Eric will buy one of my expensive mandolins....:)

j.
 
#10
James, years ago I got a Despiau blank from howard core, used only half of it on an EUB project (that lays unfinished in the room of unfinished projects). If you only need a 75mm tall bridge I'm your man, otherwise see if core or the others have them in stock...
 
#11
fdeck said:
How do you pronounce Despiau? Also, would a higher quality bridge really benefit a lower quality bass like my old Kay? I rarely play it any more, but the bridge on that bass is such an abomination, that this might be a chance to try my hand at fitting a bridge.
Click to expand...

'Dess-pyoh' - its hard to write a transliteration...

A good bridge makes a huge difference - its how the string movement gets into the top of the bass! ;)
 
#12
VegasGutPlucker said:
I've been hunting for a 3 tree, or even 2 tree Despiau bridge to replace the stock one that's been on my bass for a decade, but no one seems to carry them.
Any leads? Looking for a really great quality piece of wood, doesn't have to be Despiau, just what some have recommended.
Click to expand...

Pardon my ignorance, but what is 2 tree or 3 tree about these bridges? I gather that Despiau is a brand name.
:confused:
 
#20
gerry grable said:
I think I'll stick with Jake. Did you notice his last name? And. . .he does live in Canada :D
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Thanks Gerry, but my father was English going back to William the Conqueror! :D

Jeff's description says it better than mine - its a two syllable word and the second syllable kindly has a bend in the middle. ;)
 

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