Double Bass Where to measure for string height?

[CoolGuyBassist]

I should really probably know this by now but where do you measure for string height? In the middle of the string or at the end of the fingerboard?
When people talk about like 7/8/9/10mm are they talking about at the end of the fingerboard?

 

[Don Hergert]

If you're measuring for playing action, the standard is the end of the fingerboard.

If you're measuring for relief, it's usually at the harmonic octave.

It's important to remember that fingerboard lengths vary between different double basses.

 

[gerry grable]

If you're measuring for playing action, the standard is the end of the fingerboard.

If you're measuring for relief, it's usually at the harmonic octave.

It's important to remember that fingerboard lengths vary between different double basses.

Relief? I don't understand exactly what that means. Is relief from what a valid question?

 

[Don Hergert]

Yes.

Relief is the term for the slight outward bow or curve that is built into the fingerboard to prevent string buzzing. This curve needs to occur on any stringed instrument on which a player stops strings on a fingerboard, both fretted and un-fretted. Relief is typically more pronounced on larger instruments. If you align a straight-edge over the length of your fingerboard, you'll see it most clearly at the octave.

On a double bass, usually the relief at the octave for each string is just about the same measurement as that string's width, as such, on a double bass' radiused fingerboard it's a complicated compound curve that has to be built in, with possible consideration of additional bowing that may occur in the fingerboard when the double bass is under string tension. So it's a very involved process that should probably be done by a person who is very familiar with it, like a professional double bass builder, a luthier or an accomplished repair person.

As a double bass fingerboard wears over the years, it is very common to have it worked on by a pro, either re-doing the surface of the fingerboard, or replacing the fingerboard, and at the same time re=working the relief.

I hope that helps.

 

[gerry grable]

Yes.

Relief is the term for the slight outward bow or curve that is built into the fingerboard to prevent string buzzing. This curve needs to occur on any stringed instrument on which a player stops strings on a fingerboard, both fretted and un-fretted. Relief is typically more pronounced on larger instruments. If you align a straight-edge over the length of your fingerboard, you'll see it most clearly at the octave.

On a double bass, usually the relief at the octave for each string is just about the same measurement as that string's width, as such, on a double bass' radiused fingerboard it's a complicated compound curve that has to be built in, with possible consideration of additional bowing that may occur in the fingerboard when the double bass is under string tension. So it's a very involved process that should probably be done by a person who is very familiar with it, like a professional double bass builder, a luthier or an accomplished repair person.

As a double bass fingerboard wears over the years, it is very common to have it worked on by a pro, either re-doing the surface of the fingerboard, or replacing the fingerboard, and at the same time re=working the relief.

I hope that helps.

Thank you very much.