Double Bass Setup in relation to tension

[B String]

I did a raised saddle on my too-tight bass, and it had no effect on tightness. The Marvin wire tailpiece also did not help. We raised the tailpiece up a bit and that didn't do the trick either. I brought the bass to at least 4 renowned luthiers to no avail, although a new, little scooped, fingerboard did help playability, but not tightness... I tried all kinds of strings including Velvet and Spiro and Evah solos tuned down. Plain gut D and G did feel looser, but I didn't want to go that route. I gave up on the bass.

I loved my bass. But I finally gave up as well.

 

[robobass]

The tailpiece extension was my luthiers idea. I've seen it used on uprights many times. What would you have suggested to alleviate the problem, without spending a bankroll? I know its not the string length, scoop, or nut. I've experimented with different steel strings and gauges. What's next?

I was meaning to ask. What is a tailpiece extension? Do you mean a raised saddle?

 

[robobass]

I did a raised saddle on my too-tight bass, and it had no effect on tightness.

Did it have a thick top? I played a Pöllmann 5-String for a long time. Yes. It was tight as hell, even though the mensure was only like 41". It was excellent for delicate orchestral passages, but you had to press like hell with the bow to get FF. Pizz was worthless. The rest of the section would tell me to bring my Geiger for pops concerts because of this.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

The top seemed to be fine, nothing out of the ordinary, according to the experts.

 

[B String]

I was meaning to ask. What is a tailpiece extension? Do you mean a raised saddle?

Yes, a raised saddle. It helped a very small amount.