scale length determination/bridge position.

To determine the scale of the neck that's attached, measure from the body side of the nut (or the top of the zero fret, if it's so equipped) to the top of the 12th fret and multiply by two. This should be what the neck scale is.

15" x 2 = 30"

Now measure from the body side of the nut (or the top of the zero fret, if it's so equipped) the distance of the neck scale length of the G-string side of the neck. This is roughly where the intonation saddle for this string will be.

On your new bridge, measure the distance that an intonation saddle can adjust back/forth to aid in determining the next step.

The E-string will intonate somewhat longer than the G-string did (unless you use a string where only the core rests on the intonation saddle - I have no example of this to measure, as I don't use this style of string.) On a 35" scale bass this is about 3/16" (I'm eyeballing it.) The location of the bridge will then be made such that it's perpendicular to the centerline of the neck, equally spaced on each side of this centerline, and at a distance that allows some extra room to intonate the G-string shorter than the scale length (maybe 1/8" at most) so long as it allows the E-string to have maximum intonation adjustment length longer.

Hopefully when you place your new bridge in this location you'll also find a set of pre-drilled holes from the previous bridge installation. If not, you'll need to determine where the mounting holes should be and pre-drill pilot holes a diameter equal to the shank diameter (NOT the outer thread diameter!) of the mounting screws. Be sure to drill the holes deep enough - but not so deep you drill completely thru the body.

If something here is not clear (I'm typing before I've had coffee this morning), drop a reply and I'll clear things up

All the best,

R

 

The scale length is measured at the G string.

Measuring this at the E will make the rest of your strings pretty much impossible to intonate.