Double Bass Why no bridge adjusters in Europe?

[Jake deVilliers]

If I may defend my arrogant, generalizing, probably racist, insensitive comments about North America having humidity swings, Well I 'pologize to all who were offended, especially Mr. Grable. I've only lived in the northeastern and midwestern parts of USA. There at least, weather was quite an issue. It seems to me though that there is quite a concentration of orchestra playing in this part of your continent though. Were my comments really that off base?

Your comments were right on, Rob. I think Gerry mis-read your post, believing you said that North American weather was more constant than Germany, rather than the other way around.

He's a cranky old fart anyway!

 

[gerry grable]

It is I who should apologize if I gave the impression that I was offended, and there certainly was nothing even remotely racist in your post. Actually I got quite a chuckle out of your retreat to a cave reply. I find all of your posts interesting and often entertaining as with the wine cork tuner
A friend of mine insists that there should be sarcasm or tongue-in-cheek fonts on sites such as TB and Facebook. In my original post I might have misled you by enclosing North America in "quotes." Again, I am sorry and horrified that I put you through any discomfort.
Gerry

 

[robobass]

Don't worry. I jab plenty myself here, and usually have a thick skin when it comes back on me.

 

[George700DL]

Considering that there there really is no substantial degradation in sound as a result of using adjusters, the advantage, IMO, is well worth it. Even if a small degradation could be demonstrated, it is, IMO, more than balanced by the advantages.

Of course there are those who claim that [lightweight] adjusters improve the sound (and volume).

I installed my aluminum ones after reading Chuck Traeger's book, I keep them cranked up about 10mm, and never touch them. I did get a bit more volume on my gut 3 stringer as a result.

George

 

[drurb]

Hmm... maybe we should be trying all-aluminum bridges.

...with maple adjusters, of course.

 

[George700DL]

Hmm... maybe we should be trying all-aluminum bridges.

...with maple adjusters, of course.

It will be a little difficult to carve...

Especially given my personal approach of "removing all wood from the bridge that is not necessary for structural support"

 

[robobass]

Of course there are those who claim that [lightweight] adjusters improve the sound (and volume).

I installed my aluminum ones after reading Chuck Traeger's book, I keep them cranked up about 10mm, and never touch them. I did get a bit more volume on my gut 3 stringer as a result.

George

I also like the effect on sound and response of alu adjusters. It is a different sound from that of a solid bridge however. Perhaps if you grow up and study somewhere where solid bridges dominate, then adjusters make the bass sound "funny" to you.

 

[drurb]

I also like the effect on sound and response of alu adjusters. It is a different sound from that of a solid bridge however. Perhaps if you grow up and study somewhere where solid bridges dominate, then adjusters make the bass sound "funny" to you.

I'd bet a cookie that most players couldn't discriminate reliably between their basses with a solid bridge and their basses with aluminum adjusters.

 

[MIKMAN]

+1!!!!

 

[Fogducker]

I have the items to make my bridge adjustable but I don't want to go through the trouble and time/money to mess with my set-up.

Now, sniff, I have the perfect reason for not doing it----"The Europeans frown upon it and will laugh at me, as I whomp away at my bluegrass stuff!, thanks again Robobass.

Fog

Fog

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

This is an interesting topic to me as my bass just has a solid bridge and no adjusters - but I notice that nearly all the Jazz DB players I meet have them and I have talked about this to some of them. So one Jazz pro explained how he adjusted the sound for different types of gigs - some with a more old school sound with short decay and more thump - others where he was playing melodies, almost in the style of fretless BG - lots of sustain and "mwah"...?

However, as well as trying to play Jazz, I am a big fan of orchestral music and love going to see the big European orchestras in London. (I have tickets to see the Berlin, Vienna and Leipzig in this year's Proms at the Albert Hall). So the interesting thing about the Albert Hall is that you can walk round the stalls and get within inches of the Bass section before the concert or during interval and they nearly always leave their basses there. So I get a good look at what they are playing. I think in the past, it has been solid all the way - but I will try to have a look this summer and report back!

 

[geoffbassist]

Sounds like a great excuse to check out the basses. Let us know what you find out and enjoy the concerts. What an amazing line up of top orchestras!

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Sounds like a great excuse to check out the basses. Let us know what you find out and enjoy the concerts. What an amazing line up of top orchestras!

I have tickets for two concerts with the Berlin and Sir Simon ! - doing various pieces. Then I see the Leipzig with Chailly doing Mahler 6 and a piece by Messiaen. Finally the Vienna with Haitink doing Bruckner 9 and Murray Perahia playing a Beethoven concerto.

I'm looking forward to this season's Proms!

 

[Gene Fryer]

i wonder if Freakie's prospective bass is European-that would explain the no feet-who needs adjusters if you have no feet?

 

[gerry grable]

Maybe it's just plain tradition? Maybe the European players are more conservative, and resent our upity innovations?
Can you imagine Ignat with adjusters and a quiver on his 3-stringer?

 

[jazzbill]

Hmm... maybe we should be trying all-aluminum bridges.

...with maple adjusters, of course.

A friend of mine swears by his mostly aluminum bridge:

http://www.amazon.com/Deuce-Bass-Company-Aluminum-Adjustable/dp/B00865L1ZY

 

[playbass0410]

I'd bet a cookie that most players couldn't discriminate reliably between their basses with a solid bridge and their basses with aluminum adjusters.

Cookie lost!

Just have my adjustable bridge replaced by a solid bridge and there is quite a difference in sound.
It is this notable that currently I struggle to get used to it.

There are some heights missing and attack behavior changed.
On the other hand there is much more body in the tone. The bottom end is much better - not louder but there is just more meat.

Pizz the tone is more balanced and deeper.
Arco the tone is simply richer and less scratchy.

 

[Andrew McGregor]

Cookie lost!

Just have my adjustable bridge replaced by a solid bridge and there is quite a difference in sound.
It is this notable that currently I struggle to get used to it.

But... is that just because you have a BETTER bridge? Because I had adjusters fitted to my bridge and there was no change I could detect. Same bridge, with adjusters, no change. I bet if you took the bridge you have now and fitted adjusters, nothing much would happen.

 

[robobass]

But... is that just because you have a BETTER bridge? Because I had adjusters fitted to my bridge and there was no change I could detect. Same bridge, with adjusters, no change. I bet if you took the bridge you have now and fitted adjusters, nothing much would happen.

I'm too lazy to search for it, but someone put up a post awhile back showing results of some tests using good scientic methods. They used a single bass and a single bridge (or at least the same make and model) fitted straight, then with both ebony and alu adjusters. Besides comments from those who worked on the project, recordings were made and MP3's posted. I didn't listen to the recordings, but I think that the TB'ers who did pretty much all perceived significant differences.

 

[Steve Swan]

Here in the San Francisco bay area region, the humidity is moderated by the ocean and the bay, so it remains fairly constant within a limited range. Gut strings do very well here.