therealting Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 (edited) I’ve put up with the badly-butchered bridge on my acoustic double bass for too long, so I’m thinking of replacing it with an adjustable one. Is there a huge difference between different ones? Is it worth the almost £200 difference between the most and least expensive ones on Amazon for example (the cheapest and most popular is £25)? The impression I get is that it’s the fitting that makes the biggest difference. My bass is a carved solid top Zeller 3/4 flat back. Edited November 1, 2018 by therealting Added photo of horrible slotting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 If you are planning to have the work done by a luthier, one thing might be worth checking is that they will undertake the work with a customer-supplied bridge. Some do not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezyorkshire Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 you could fix that yourself easy enough? if the string height is ok? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petebassist Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 (edited) When I bought my bass new it had a fixed bridge, so when I went for a setup at Bassbags with an adjustable bridge they simply converted the existing one. Presumably any luthier could do the same, but I'm no expert. Maybe they could shave it down to remove the deep notches at the same time? Edited November 1, 2018 by petebassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 (edited) I would definitely go to your local luthier. He will insert the adjusters in the existing bridge and meanwhile adjust the action to your requirements by shaving off the deep notches at the top. That is providing he/she feels you’ll be left with a reasonable-enough amount of wood above the heart. All the best. Edited November 1, 2018 by Rabbie Added info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezyorkshire Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 agree see a luthier if going adjustable, i was meaning you could shave the top down if the height is ok and bridge is ok apart from deep grooves? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastie Posted January 30, 2019 Share Posted January 30, 2019 Get your bass to a expert Martyn Baily in Essex carries aaa grade bridges in stock and will make it with adjusters I have two of them they are smoth as silk on adjustment under tension .they are not cheap but you get what you pay for Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cathode_Follower Posted March 3, 2019 Share Posted March 3, 2019 (edited) An adjustable bridge will save you the cost of several non-adjustable bridges. It's a no-brainer imo, if you're playing a lot you can wear a good 3 or 4 mm off the action in under year, more if you're a slapper I imagine. Just keep raising the bridge to compensate (and have a luthier take off the excess above the strings, or do it yourself) and you'll be set for years. Hundreds of pounds saved and a consistent action that will benefit your playing. Point being, get a new, high quality adjustable, have it set up by a qualified professional, and it will pay for itself. Edited March 3, 2019 by Cathode_Follower 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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