Double Bass Using bridge adjusters

[moles]

My rental bass is off getting set up properly this week (should have had them do it awhile ago, but oh well...) and the loaner I have has bridge adjsuters, and they'll be putting ones on the bass I'll be getting back also...
The action on the loaner is quite a bit higher than I'd like - I've searched and sifted through the stickies but haven't found any info on how to go ahead and actually *use* the adjusters to lower the bridge. I'm aware there is the possibility of the soundpost slipping so any recommendations to help keep it in place would be very helpful -I'd really rather not have to get in to repositioning it if I can help it - sounds like too much difficulty for a bass I'll have til the end of the week at most...
Does the bridge actually have to come off in order to move the adjusters? It seems like when twisted, they'd tend to want to move the feet of the bridge, rather than spin freely...
Help!
Miles

 

[bonaventura]

I would put the bass flat on its back on a table and, while holding the foot of the bridge with one hand so it doesn't turn, gently and slowly turn the adjuster in the direction you want, up or down.

 

[JoeyNaeger]

If you're dropping the action, you don't need to to loosen the strings or anything. Just twist the adjustors to the desired height. If the feet move, just rotate them into place. Try to get over your shyness of them with this rental bass because having adjustors really makes life easier. I change my bridge height sometimes every few days depending on the music I'm working and such.

 

[drurb]

I have been told that it's a good idea to loosen the strings a bit to avoid placing undue stress on the threads in the bridge. Also, it is important to make sure that you turn each adjuster by the same amount.

 

[Aaron Cohn]

As far as turning the adjusters the same amount goes, I find that this is easiest if you mark a spot on each adjuster. If you're concerned about marking the rental bass, pencil works fine.

 

[moles]

haha! Yeah, not worried about putting pencil on a rental.....
I tried turning one, and it seemed quite stiff - so maybe loosening the strings a tad might be a good idea - just didn't want to deal with a fallen soundpost - got enough to worry about this week as it is. I'll try it out later though.
Thanks all
Miles