Double Bass soundpost

[D.W.]

Can anyone tell me if placement of the soundpost has any effect on the string tension? Or is it mainly a sound issue?

Thanks

 

[mje]

How can sound post position affect string tension? Both Pythagorous and I are curious.

 

[drurb]

How can sound post position affect string tension? Both Pythagorous and I are curious.

I'm guessing that, technically, it doesn't. I can imagine, however, that to the extent the post allows for more or less efficient transmission of the vibration of the string to the body, the strings may feel more or less stiff. That's off the cuff.

 

[Nick Lloyd]

Can anyone tell me if placement of the soundpost has any effect on the string tension? Or is it mainly a sound issue?

Thanks

Soundpost placement is mainly a sound issue. Why do you ask?

 

[D.W.]

I had a pretty big soundpost adjustment due to another problem. I'm trying rule out that the increase in tension is not from that adjustment, and that it is most likely from the increase in humidty. Thanks for everyone's time.

 

[uptonbass]

I can imagine, however, that to the extent the post allows for more or less efficient transmission of the vibration of the string to the body, the strings may feel more or less stiff. That's off the cuff.

Sounds good...any loss in energy that the player inputs would make the return feel stiffer.

D.W. By chance did you play with the tailpiece hanger its length etc?

 

[Alex Scott]

With a curved top, the top is moving up and down when you move the sound post around. Such movement is similar to moving the adjusters up and down in a way, making the string length longer and shorter. If you want to keep the same pitch, you would have to adjust the string tension.

I think also a better resonating bass feels better, whether tension related or not, so you have to get into how your perception differs from what your scientific theory may be.

Touch is not a very scientific test, but may be all that matters.

Bottom line, mess with it until it feels better. Take notes.

 

[PIZZAcato]

So if you move the sound post moves farther down the bass from the bridge it gets quieter and the strings get slighty less tense due to the optimal placement under the bridge being lost? Are those the only affects?

 

[drurb]

With a curved top, the top is moving up and down when you move the sound post around. Such movement is similar to moving the adjusters up and down in a way, making the string length longer and shorter. If you want to keep the same pitch, you would have to adjust the string tension.

I doubt moving the post within normal limits has any effect upon string length that is worthy of consideration. The perceived effects are not likely explained by this at all.

 

[Alex Scott]

got wheels? move your bridge one millimeter. I am thinking more about side to side motion of your sound post.

 

[dragonetti11]

So if you move the sound post moves farther down the bass from the bridge it gets quieter and the strings get slighty less tense due to the optimal placement under the bridge being lost? Are those the only affects?

On David Gage's website he says the further from the bridge the louder it gets. He also says when moved toward the treble side the bass strings get louder and vis versa. I've always wondered if these two things were misprints and if the opposites of them were right . (closer to bridge= louder, closer to treble side= upper strings louder)

 

[uptonbass]

So if you move the sound post moves farther down the bass from the bridge it gets quieter and the strings get slighty less tense due to the optimal placement under the bridge being lost? Are those the only affects?

There really are not any stead fast rules to moving the post. We often find even more so than position is how tight (lenght) or loose the post is makes more of a difference.

 

[drurb]

got wheels? move your bridge one millimeter. I am thinking more about side to side motion of your sound post.

Yes, I have adjusters and a 1-mm change in string-height is quite noticeable. My point is that I doubt moving the post within normal limits will change the string-height by even a consequential fraction of 1 mm.

 

[panos]

I intend to fit a new sound post at my bass in a few days. The reason I'll do it, is that the old sound post is 16 mm (diameter) instead of 18,5 mm, and is very very tightly fitted.

I'm curious to see if after the installation the tension of strings will be slightly decreased, I'll report you the results.

 

[Ike Harris]

It's always been my impression that the further away you set the post from the bridge the darker the sound, likewise, closer = brighter. And pushing it toward to whichever side will enhance the strings it gets closer to. Some info new to me, in the new D. Bassist mag are excerpts from the Treager book where he says the flat surfaces of the post encourage a twisting motion between the top and back, and rounding off the edges similar to the bottom of a drumstick leaving a 5/8" flat surface will free up the bass to vibrate more freely. Discuss.

Ike

 

[panos]

On David Gage's website he says the further from the bridge the louder it gets. He also says when moved toward the treble side the bass strings get louder and vis versa. I've always wondered if these two things were misprints and if the opposites of them were right . (closer to bridge= louder, closer to treble side= upper strings louder)

Any comments about?

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

Some info new to me, in the new D. Bassist mag are excerpts from the Treager book where he says the flat surfaces of the post encourage a twisting motion between the top and back, and rounding off the edges similar to the bottom of a drumstick leaving a 5/8" flat surface will free up the bass to vibrate more freely. Discuss.

Ike

Amazing the B.S. someone can come up with to explain away not being able to properly fit a soundpost...

 

[Bob Branstetter]

Amazing the B.S. someone can come up with to explain away not being able to properly fit a soundpost...

Just to clarify the issue. Are you expressing humor at the concept or are you saying that Chuck Traeger in fact lacks the ability to properly fit a soundpost?

 

[Matthew Tucker]

"Properly" fitting a soundpost, as I understand it, means to maximise the contact surface between the soundpost and the top/back for a chosen position. Is there more to it than that?

Surely, slightly rounding the top of a soundpost only effectively decreases the contact surface while retaining the mass of the existing soundpost?

This could also be achieved by fitting a narrower soundpost and "properly" fitting it.

If chamfering or rounding the edges of the post achieves the same result, what's wrong with that method?

 

[arnoldschnitzer]

I've seen many soundposts installed in the method he describes, with a huge bevel. None of them fit well. Nearly all of the bass' tops had developed dents. All of the basses were improved tonally (according to their owners) by the installation of a properly fit soundpost without the huge bevel. I think installing a post with a huge bevel loads too much pressure on too small a spot and can contribute to a crack in the top there. Do you see violinmakers or cellomakers doing this? No. Other bass luthiers (than Traeger or Merchant)? No. I'm certain Mr. Traeger could fit a post properly if he wanted to. Where's the science and research behind this "twisting" business, and why have 500 years of stringed instrument evolution never before gone down that road?

BTW, great to read your words again, Bob. It's been dull without you.