Double Bass Realist Lifeline installation question

[tinyd]

I just bought a Lifeline and I'm in the process of installing it. According to the instructions, the pickup should be inserted between the adjuster and bridge on the non -threaded side. On my bass, the threads are on the bottom to this means the pickup should go above adjuster. I've loosened strings and unhooked E and A. But as the pic shows, there's zero space above adjuster and I can't see how to create some. It fits fine below and seems snug so I think that's fine, but just wondering if I'm missing something?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Nuggulux]

You're on the right track, all you need to do is pull up the top half of the bridge enough to slip the LifeLine in position. Since it's a few mm thick, you'll need to adjust your bridge slightly to get it to your preferred string height.

 

[bassically_eli]

It goes above the adjusters in your case. The wheels are just a peg on that side (no threads). So you will need to lower the adjusters, then lift the top piece of the bridge and slide the LL in place around the exposed peg.

It needs the string pressure to function. If you were to put it below the adjusters, then it would only work at a specific string height, and if you raised the adjusters, it would fall out.

The trouble with the installation is that the bridge will move around when you try to lift it. Make sure you mark the feet position and note the bridge angle. I recommend using painter's tape around the feet. Pencil lines are harder to see and get smudged.

It is also important to account for the thickness of the Lifeline when lowering the adjusters on that side. You don't want to change the string height, you just want to install a pickup. If/when you do raise or lower your strings, it is important to do so by the same amount on each side of the bridge so that the adjusters stay perpendicular to the rest of the bridge.

 

[tinyd]

Thanks for the replies. Thing is, there's zero movement when I try and pull the top half of the bridge up away from the adjuster. I loostened the D & G strings but it feels like it won't budge. I'm probably being a bit too timid so I'll give it another go...

I tried it below and I get a nice tight fit at my usual string height (I only used the adjusters when my daughter was talking classical lessons on the same bass) but I'd prefer to get it set up correctly if possible.

Thanks again.

 

[Endlesssolo]

Thanks for the replies. Thing is, there's zero movement when I try and pull the top half of the bridge up away from the adjuster. I loostened the D & G strings but it feels like it won't budge. I'm probably being a bit too timid so I'll give it another go...

I tried it below and I get a nice tight fit at my usual string height (I only used the adjusters when my daughter was talking classical lessons on the same bass) but I'd prefer to get it set up correctly if possible.

Thanks again.

When you try to pull the bridge up and get zero movement, are you saying that you can’t pull the bridge up so the foot comes off the top of the bass, or that you can pull the foot up but you can’t pull the adjuster out from the upper part of the bridge? If it’s the former, then loosen your strings more. If it’s the latter, it means the adjuster is stuck and you should try to wiggle it free. But the pickup has to go on that side, it won’t work correctly (if at all) the way you’re describing.

 

[Mark Gollihur]

Thanks for the replies. Thing is, there's zero movement when I try and pull the top half of the bridge up away from the adjuster. I loostened the D & G strings but it feels like it won't budge. I'm probably being a bit too timid so I'll give it another go...

I tried it below and I get a nice tight fit at my usual string height (I only used the adjusters when my daughter was talking classical lessons on the same bass) but I'd prefer to get it set up correctly if possible.

Thanks again.

Here's what you need to do. This is most easily done with the assistance of a friend, and here’s the process in a nutshell:

1. Loosen the E and A strings enough to pop them off of the bridge, and loosen the D and G pretty significantly too.
2. Hold the foot with one hand and pull upward on the bridge with the other hand. This will allow the non-threaded post of your adjuster to start to pull out of the bridge body.
3. Here’s where having a friend can help – they can insert the pickup between the wood of the bridge and the flat surface of the adjuster. Put it in as far as it will go, so that the post “bottoms out” in the slot. Now allow the bridge post to settle back into the bridge, re-seat the strings, and tune up.

If the E and A strings are still across the bridge, you'll never be able to pull the bridge apart from the adjuster enough to get the pickup in.

 

[tinyd]

Very helpful replies @Endlesssolo and @Mark Gollihur. I pretty much did what you suggested Mark and it worked great. Definitely needed a friend (in this case, daughter) to insert the pickup while I held the bridge up. All good and sounding great, thanks again for the help!

 

[Sam Reese]

Here's what you need to do. This is most easily done with the assistance of a friend, and here’s the process in a nutshell:

1. Loosen the E and A strings enough to pop them off of the bridge, and loosen the D and G pretty significantly too.
2. Hold the foot with one hand and pull upward on the bridge with the other hand. This will allow the non-threaded post of your adjuster to start to pull out of the bridge body.
3. Here’s where having a friend can help – they can insert the pickup between the wood of the bridge and the flat surface of the adjuster. Put it in as far as it will go, so that the post “bottoms out” in the slot. Now allow the bridge post to settle back into the bridge, re-seat the strings, and tune up.

If the E and A strings are still across the bridge, you'll never be able to pull the bridge apart from the adjuster enough to get the pickup in.

Thanks @Mark Gollihur -I just used these instructions today. My wife helped and within minutes I had one of my Lifelines off one bass and onto another! TalkBass is great.