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Double Bass Soundpost adjustment for individual strings

W

Waltjie

Mar 15, 2009
100
2
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
#1
Hi there everyone!

I've looked around for an answer on this, but haven't found anything - so sorry if I'm asking an old question...

Are there any guidelines for the direction in which one has to move the soundpost to influence the clarity of tone for individual strings? For example, if you want to brighten the E-string, push the post towards or away from the E-string?

I want to try and get my E-string a bit brighter, and my A-string a little less bright.

Thanks in advance!

Waltjie.
 
#2
You probably won't be able to achieve that combination with the soundpost. Moving the post laterally (between the ff holes) mostly affects the evenness of the volume of the strings. Moving the post toward the lower bout makes it darker - toward the bridge, brighter.

Moving the post laterally, away from the E string will likely increase its volume in relation to the other strings, and vice versa. We're talking about small adjustments here, especially when going from side to side. Also - the orientation of the post needs to be maintained. i.e. you shouldn't let it spin.

Personally, I'd leave it to a pro, if you're unsure about what's going on. My luthier would likely perform this operation for a cup of coffee. It's generally quick and easy for an experienced hand.
 
#3
My personal experience is that if the E is muffled, or not very loud or bright, I move the post toward the E string, not away, and vice versa. I have done this many times on smaller instruments, but only a few times on basses.

Moving closer to the bridge (north) seems to add brightness to all four strings. And, as Mark says, we are talking fairly small movements.

I recently had an instrument (viola) that had a weak bass string. I thought the soundpost was correctly positioned, but decided there was no harm in the attempt. As it turned out, I had to cut a new soundpost, as when I got far enough west to make that string sound good, the post was too loose by far. I made the new post 1mm longer, and positioned in the new location, and the string was instantly improved, along with the balance across the strings.

Obviously, your results may differ. (This product sold by weight, not volume, some settling may have occurred during shipping. For external use only; if your condition persists please see a physician...etc.)
 
#5
How does moving the post from side to side even work?

If the bass surfaces are curved then wont the post be the wrong length once you move it?

I wonder if the changes in tone are a result of the tightness of the post. If its loose and you push the top down onto the soundpost with string tension, that seems like a bad thing, structurally and tone wise.
 
#7
JtheJazzMan said:
How does moving the post from side to side even work?

If the bass surfaces are curved then wont the post be the wrong length once you move it?

I wonder if the changes in tone are a result of the tightness of the post. If its loose and you push the top down onto the soundpost with string tension, that seems like a bad thing, structurally and tone wise.
Click to expand...

yes, you move the post and most often it no longer fits right. This is why it's not a job for a beginner.

yes some changes are due to tightness of the post. The scenario you describe is uncommon, because not easy to set a soundpost this way from the outset!!! But a too-tight soundpost wedged in there is very common and chokes the top, whereas a too-loose one falls over or spins when you take the string tension down. The right fit is just-so. If you don't get it right you have to start over again.

But yes, some settling may have occurred during shipping. For external use only; if your condition persists please see a physician. In Port Elizabeth!
 
#8
Every bass is going to react a little differently. A good way to find out how yours responds is to schedule a private nerdfest with your luthier. Spend a couple of hours passing it back and forth seeing how their different adjustments respond to your playing and ear. I do it a lot; folks generally seem to like it. Regardless of what I think when I set the soundpost on the workbench your ear may want something different, so you are the final test.

j.
 

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