/ Register

problem with action on fingerboard

Discussion in 'Setup & Repair [DB]' started by kik4adog, Jul 11, 2003.

  1. Jul 11, 2003 #1
    kik4adog

    kik4adog

    Jan 3, 2002
    ok....I have a double bass that I purchased used a while ago.I've been told it's rather old.
    Anyway....The fingerboard on it is warped where the 2nd,3rd,and 4th frets would be.So the person who owned it before me evidently made a homemade bridge to work better with the neck.

    I eventually want to replace the fingerboard and bridge but because of financial reasons I'm making do with what I have now.

    Well I recently replaced the endpin on it and for some reason the action seems to be alot lower causing my strings to rattle (The E string is the worst) whenever I play around in that area.

    I'm thinking that since I've swapped out the endpin maybe the tension isn't as tight as it was with my old endpin.

    So to remedy my problem I have moved the bridge about half an inch up closer to the fingerboard.And that seems to have done the trick.

    My question is, is that going to be in any way bad for my bass?I'd hate to somehow damage it because of the long term effect of having moved my bridge.
     
  2. Jul 12, 2003 #2
    nicklloyd

    nicklloyd Supporting Member/Luthier

    Jan 27, 2002
    Cincinnati, Ohio
    1)Fill out your profile. The more we know about you and your bass, the better we can help you. Where are you?

    2)If the bridge is placed >>slightly<< closer to the fingerboard, no harm is done. However, it sounds like your problem is in the fingerboard itself. Have you tried contacting a repair shop/luthier to properly dress the board? If you want to play this instrument correctly (and happily), spend a little money and get the needed setup work done. Fighting a bad setup will hurt you, and your playing.
     
  3. Jul 16, 2003 #3
    Michael Case

    Michael Case

    Jun 4, 2002
    Salt Lake City, Utah
    Does your bass have an adjustable bridge? Maybe you could put the bridge back in it's propper place and just raise the string height. But yes you should go to a repair shop.