ryan0583 Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 (edited) So I've found an Andreas Zeller bass for sale fairly local, and I'm about to take the plunge and buy my first double bass. However, I've noticed from the pictures that the seller has up that the G string is sitting in a deep groove in the bridge. I know this isn't right. Would it just be a case of cutting the bridge down to fix this? Edited April 11, 2015 by ryan0583 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jecklin Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 (edited) By itself, this isn't necessarily a problem and would indeed be solved by reshaping the bridge - it doesn't look like it has been shaped to suit the curve of the finger board. On my bass for example the bridge would have been cut down more towards the G side roughly following the level of where the bottoms of the string grooves are in this photo. HOWEVER I would want to see a lot of photos of the neck to verify the discrepancy of the apparent height of the G. Is the neck cracked or bowed or twisted. Is it sitting crooked in the body. Is the body collapsing slightly in the E side. I'd also ask Who installed this bridge? Edited April 11, 2015 by Jecklin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 It looks as though it's not just the G. The top three strings appear to have been progressively lowered wrt the E. So perhaps not so sinister after all. But be cautious all the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah thomas Posted April 11, 2015 Share Posted April 11, 2015 Zellers are usually decent basses. Could you take an experience upright player with you to check it out? And budget another £2-300 for a luthier set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubsonicSimpleton Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 If you don't know anyone who can come look at the bass, you could arrange to take it to a luthier to get an assessment of it's state of health (and how much any setup work to get the bass in tip-top playability would cost) before buying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRev Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 It's likely that he's filed the slot down to lower the action on the G string. I've done the same thing when I bought my last bass - the G was way to high for me so I filed the slot down and played it that way for a few months until I was sure of how I wanted the bass set up. When I had the bass set up, I just had the bridge cut down to the right level. I know players who have cut deep bridge slots and never get round to cutting off the excess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 It wouldn't bother me...string height is dependant on many things, particularly the type /make/tension of the strings. Its a good idea to have a new bridge fitted with adjusters anyway, as this makes string experiments a lot easier, and its good to know the bridge has been properly matched to the top. I'm in the process of upgrading from my hybrid Zeller and to be honest, they sound very very good for what they cost. And they travel well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 A bew bridge wouldn't break the bank in a worst case scenario and a lot of players replace it as a matter of course. I wouldn't see it as a problem in itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Is there any chance the seller would let you take some photos, or send you some photos so you could post them here for opinions? As others have said, it may not be a huge problem in itself.... You could also ask for a fellow BC DB'ers help on here? Maybe some kind local DB player would be happy to go along with you and give it the once over? - Maybe cover their petrol money & the price of a pint? - Just a thought Good luck anyhow I'm so glad I delved into the world of DB It's an exciting adventure Let us know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbass Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 I think it would be a good idea to get it checked out by a luthier or v. experience DB player. If someone is daft enough to make that kind of modification there may be other problems that are not immediately obvious to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 Actually, one of my basses has got that modification that I did as a quick fix to save taking the bridge off. Didn't realise it was daft. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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