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Double Bass Overpriced bridge on a cheap bass?

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phangtonpower

Nov 29, 2008
1,511
1,579
Fukui Japan from San Diego
#1
So recently I bought an old beat up Suzuki bass from 1985 for a decent price. The only issue with it as far as I can see is it needs a new bridge and maybe have the fingerboard replaned.

I live out in the country side of Japan and surprise surprise there are no luthiers. Closest place is a 2 hour drive. Anyway I contacted them today and the cheapest bridges they have are Italian made ones with adjusters for a bout $350. The installation seems reasonable at $140, but I'm wondering if the bridge is worth it for a student modal bass? Or should I just order something from the states and have them install it since they said they would do it?
 
#6
That's good to know. Also, I never really liked the idea of nickel-and-diming a luthier. We need them to make enough cash to keep the doors open, and they choose the components they sell based on experience. The only thing I've ever brought along was sets of strings they don't carry.
 
#7
Eric Hochberg said:
Conventional wisdom is that precut adjustable bridges are more difficult to fit=more luthier time. Let the luthier fit a bridge he supplies and can guarantee.
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I asked if it mattered to them if the bridge had the adjusters installed or not. They didn't give a straight answer. I have no problem having them fit the bridge then the adjusters. I just feel a $300 Italian made bridge on a cheap Japanese plywood bass is over kill???

Anyway I think they are looking for another supplier so they can offer a cheaper alternative for customers who have lower end basses. I'm going to show them Gollihur's site. Any other site recommendations to buy bridges.

Also this is not a Double bass only luthier. They don't exist in the area I live. I already have to drive 2 hours away to this place.... Invalid Link Removed
 
#9
TroyK said:
A quality and properly fitted bridge is a very good upgrade for a bass. The question is: Do you want to invest in this particular bass?
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Yeah I don't mind spending money on this bass, but I don't know if there would be any difference between a cheaper quality bridge vs. an Italian made one on this bass.

EDIT: I guess since they don't mind me bringing in another bridge, I'm going to go that route. Probably going to go through Gollihur.
 
#10
Yeah, I get what you mean. There is a probably a "right" quality bridge and it may not be the one that your luthier has a line on. There are also some really bad ones it's worth spending money to step up from.

If he's looking for a second source, hopefully he'll find something in the middle.
 
#11
$350 total, or $350 + $140= $490 ? Is this bass solid, hybrid, or ply? You mentioned the finger board needs planing, it might be possible that there are a few other repairs or adjustments needed. I'd take it in and have it evaluated. $490 for a new bridge and the setup work involved is a worthy investment in any bass you want to play. A great quality, hand selected bridge will likely sound better and be of higher quality than any crap shoot one ordered online. Maintenance costs come with the territory.
 
#12
MR PC said:
$350 total, or $350 + $140= $490 ? Is this bass solid, hybrid, or ply? You mentioned the finger board needs planing, it might be possible that there are a few other repairs or adjustments needed. I'd take it in and have it evaluated. $490 for a new bridge and the setup work involved is a worthy investment in any bass you want to play. A great quality, hand selected bridge will likely sound better and be of higher quality than any crap shoot one ordered online. Maintenance costs come with the territory.
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It's a student model suzuki ply. $2000 brand new but got it for $600 knowing I'd have to put a good chunk of change into it. But still cheaper than a $1500 CCBs they sell here. At least I know it wont explode. They don't really sell decent plywood basses here. They are not the best sounding basses, but I know the suzuki's are at least built like tanks. Old Japanese houses aren't insulated and the weather where I live isn't really suitable for a carved or even a hybrid. It snows in the winters and hot and humid in the summers.

And yes $490 for the bridge, plus another $190 for sound post adjustment. I'm going to bring it in tomorrow and see if it's even worth it. I told them that it was a suzuki and they seem to agree that their bridge may be a little too much for it. I agree that the price they are asking for isn't too much at all for a decent bass, but for what I have to wok with I'm a little worried about the laws of diminishing returns.
 
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#13
phangtonpower said:
It's a student model suzuki ply. $2000 brand new but got it for $600 knowing I'd have to put a good chunk of change into it. But still cheaper than a $1500 CCBs they sell here. At least I know it wont explode. They don't really sell decent plywood basses here. They are not be the best sounding basses, but I know the suzuki's are at least built like tanks. Old Japanese houses aren't insulated and the weather where I live isn't really suitable for a carved or even a hybrid. It snows in the winters and hot and humid in the summers.

And yes $490 for the bridge, plus another $190 for sound post adjustment. I'm going to bring it in tomorrow and see if it's even worth it. I told them that it was a suzuki and they seem to agree that their bridge may be a little too much for it. I agree that the price they are asking for isn't too much at all for a decent bass, but for what I have to wok with I'm a little worried about the laws of diminishing returns.
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$190 is high even for a brand new soundpost let alone an adjustment! An adjustment alone shouldn't be more than $40-50. $490 is high for a new adjustable bridge, too ($350-450) is more like it, in the States anyway. If it's a good, solid bass it deserves a good solid bridge!
 
#14
Eric Hochberg said:
$190 is high even for a brand new soundpost let alone an adjustment! An adjustment alone shouldn't be more than $40-50. $490 is high for a new adjustable bridge, too ($350-450) is more like it, in the States anyway. If it's a good, solid bass it deserves a good solid bridge!
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Knowing that a lot of things in Japan are overpriced, you think it's worth it to get the Italian made bride over the cheaper ones the sell on gollihur's? I think it's decent bass, but I'll find out tomorrow with what they have to say. The fingerboard is still painted.

EDIT: Actually $110 quote for the sound post. I don't know if it even has to be replaced. It looks solid to me, but what do I know.
 
#16
Michael Eisenman said:
OT, but I'm curious about your opportunities to play DB out in the Japanese countryside. What are you doing? (I'd love to live in Japan for a while.)
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Country side out here isn't like it is back home in the states. It's not as spread out as you would think, but really the bass is for me to play. I don't really play out much. Usually people ask if I could cover for their bass player. In summer if I get asked I'll probably play some event outside hence wanting a ply bass.

Japan isn't really cracked up to what I thought it would be, but since I'm married, it doesn't look like I'll be moving back home very soon. I teach English like 90% of non-military expats.
 
#17
phangtonpower said:
I'm going to bring it in tomorrow and see if it's even worth it. I told them that it was a Suzuki and they seem to agree that their bridge may be a little too much for it. I agree that the price they are asking for isn't too much at all for a decent bass, but for what I have to wok with I'm a little worried about the laws of diminishing returns.
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Good news. I think you'll be able to come up with a plan to get the bass up and running after the luthier assesses the instrument, and without going for broke. It's really all about compromise. You got a good deal on a decent bass, I've played a few Suzuki plywoods and enjoyed the experience. I never mind seeing a bass that looks like it's been around the block either.
 
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#18
phangtonpower said:
Knowing that a lot of things in Japan are overpriced, you think it's worth it to get the Italian made bride over the cheaper ones the sell on gollihur's? I think it's decent bass, but I'll find out tomorrow with what they have to say. The fingerboard is still painted.

EDIT: Actually $110 quote for the sound post. I don't know if it even has to be replaced. It looks solid to me, but what do I know.
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I think you should search for bridge threads as there has been quite a lot of discussion. Or, PM one of our luthiers here, like Jake DeVilliers or James Condino for advice. The soundpost has to fit correctly and a good luthier should be able to determine if your's does.
 

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