velvetkevorkian Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Hello folks, got a couple of Qs about setup and stuff. I've been carefully lowering the action at the bridge on my bass and I've noticed that its not straight- there's a noticeable bend towards the nut. You can see the extent of this in the pics. How much of an issue would you say this is? Will it require a new bridge? I'm going to have to take it into the shop anyway as the soundpost fell when I took the bridge off to remove a dead pickup, and I have neither the tools nor the patience to sort that. Does anyone know of anywhere in Glasgow that will do this other than the Violin Shop? Not chuffed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slap_it_hard Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Hiya, I looked at the photos & I don't think you have a problem with the bridge, as it's only a slight warp. As for the soundpost, I don't know of any shops, but you should certainly not be charged more than £20 for a re-fit. It's best to loosen the strings off a bit as the soundpost has dropped. Hope that helps & good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted November 22, 2009 Author Share Posted November 22, 2009 Thanks, the strings are slackened as the bridge is actually off at the moment- I had to remove a Realist and I need to do some filing to fit a new pickup to the bridge wing. Its just a bit annoying as I laid the bass down specifically so the soundpost wouldn't collapse when I removed the bridge! Didn't realise it would fall anyway. Live and learn I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I don't know anywhere else in Glasgow but if you can get it through to Edinburgh, Stringers will sort that out for you. The Violin Shop will do a good job though. I bought my DB there and had no problems with it and beautifully set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endorka Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 [quote name='velvetkevorkian' post='661956' date='Nov 22 2009, 05:39 PM']Its just a bit annoying as I laid the bass down specifically so the soundpost wouldn't collapse when I removed the bridge! Didn't realise it would fall anyway. Live and learn I guess.[/quote] It's too late now, but for future reference, the thing to prevent the soundpost falling over when removing the bridge is to lay the bass down on it's back (as you did), then put something heavy on the top of the bass, near the bridge, to provide pressure on the table before the strings etc. are slackened. I used a big amp head for this, on top of a towel to protect the finish on the bass. Jennifer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teej Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 A slight warp can be fixed by immersion in hot water followed by clamping (but I've never tried). To avoid the warp run a soft pencil over the grooves the strings run on, to help them slide across the wood freely (but I always forget). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted November 25, 2009 Author Share Posted November 25, 2009 Took it into the Violin Shop today and they reset the soundpost and cleaned up my dubious bridge work in about half an hour, then popped a few doors along to where I was having coffee with my dad to let me know. That's service. £15 all in, which is their minimum charge. He did remark on the bridge warpage- suggested probably a combination of high tension (it's a five string) and cheap wood, but not an immediate problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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