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Double Bass Replaced bridge results in higher action with seemingly identical placement

Charling

Charling

Jan 27, 2002
1,122
13
42
Norwich, Norfolk, UK
#1
Hello all,

I recently bought a lovely new bass that I am very happy with.

I took it to my local luthier to lower the action so that the lowest point of the adjusters was as low as I would ever see myself going. It played beautifully and I ended up raising the action to about 2 or 3mm higher than the lowest point.

This evening I decided to drop it to the lowest again just to compare, decided I prefered it where it was. When I went to adjust up the E string adjuster seemed to be stuck and wouldn't raise even with a lowered tension. I slackened the strings and held the bridge off the body (with the bass on its back) taking note of where it was and wiggled the adjuster free. when I re-installed everything worked as corrected except the lowest action was now quite a bit higher. Only a few mm but noticeable.

Now I can't seem to find the point where it had the previous low action. I shuffled the bridge a little lower down the bass (only about 3mm) and that helped, as did making sure it was orientated slightly towards the tailpiece (so that the bottom side was closer to perpendicular than the top side, but not completely so).

It's not a worry, as it will be going back to the Luthier in a month or so for re adjustment (its a very new bass) and in the meantime its pretty much where I found it to be most comfortable, but I just wondered if I am missing a crucial little detail for correct bridge placement. I remember getting exactly the same thing with old bass when it took a knock. I could never get it to feel as good as when it returned from the Luthier despite seemingly identical placement!

I'd also be keen to know if anyone thinks I should take it back to the luthier straight away less bridge warpage happen or other similar fate!

Thanks in advance for any help,

Owen
 
#2
Hello Owen. I would say check to make sure the bridge feet are centered properly on the notches in the f-holes (north to south). Then set the bottom side of the bridge perpendicular to the top of the bass (side toward the tailpiece) unless it has been carved and set differently intentionally. Look to see that the feet are centered across the bass side to side. Then sight down the board from the scroll to see that the nose of the bridge is centered properly with the board. If the adjusters are not adjusted equally it will leave one side of the bridge (E side or G side) higher and throw the relationships between the components out. Also, if the bridge feet are not centered side to side the strings will be in a different relationship with the board, leaving one end higher off the board.

I hope this helps. I'm sure someone with more experience and knowledge will show up soon to clear up any confusion I may have left (or created).
 
#4
Thanks for the help guys!

Bssist thanks for all that, I'm going to have a fiddle with it tonight again and see if I can get it in the right place! I started with it lined up fully with the f holes though ended up moving it down to see if I could get the action back to where it was! i'll try again tonight.

dtosky, it's tilted more toward the tailpiece, is that correct? if not I have misinterpreted somewhere along the way! I seem to remember noting that it was very upright when I first bought it so I'm wondering if it has been carved to not lean in any one direction too much...

I think I'll just get it useable for my gig tonight then take it back to the luthier!

thanks again, Owen
 
#8
Charling said:
dtosky, it's tilted more toward the tailpiece, is that correct? if not I have misinterpreted somewhere along the way! I seem to remember noting that it was very upright when I first bought it so I'm wondering if it has been carved to not lean in any one direction too much...
Click to expand...

It depends on the make of the bridge and how it was cut by your luthier. It would certainly have an effect on the string height if it is tilted more now than it was originally when you took it home. Depending on how particular you are with your instrument, you may notice a change in tone as well if the feet of the bridge are not making good contact with the top. If your luthier is nearby, you could of course take it back to him as suggested, but it is good to learn how to adjust the bridge as it is something we have to do regularly. They do tend to move a bit if you travel a lot, particularly with these soft cases.
 

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