Author Topic: Pic Request - Bass Bridges (Read 484 times)

rusty_the_scoob · « **on:** January 04, 2010, 10:10:09 AM »

Hi, All. I need detailed pics of Alembic bass bridges, please - similar to the one that was unfrozen in this thread:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/74715.html?1262576366

But I need as much detail and as many angles as possible. And how are they attached to the body? Threaded inserts similar to a Gibson? Or some other method?

FC Bass · « **Reply #1 on:** January 04, 2010, 10:49:49 AM »

Something like this?

rusty_the_scoob · « **Reply #2 on:** January 04, 2010, 01:00:40 PM »

Those are great, thanks! Do you have any from the pickup side? And some idea how the bridge itself attaches to the body? Looks like threaded inserts but I'd love confirmation.

Also - how do the two Phillips-head screws raise and lower it? Do they thread into the bridge itself or only into inserts in the body? Is that an adjuster nut between the body and bridge?

spose · « **Reply #3 on:** January 04, 2010, 01:17:17 PM »

my 76 series one bridge bolts into a threaded brass block mounted in the body

FC Bass · « **Reply #4 on:** January 04, 2010, 02:13:32 PM »

Those are threaded inserts indeed. Here are some other pics:

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** January 04, 2010, 02:36:15 PM »

To complete the study, here's the underside of the bridge:

The height screw is retained by an aircraft fastener. The height screw can be mounted in a sustain block or in threaded inserts.

eddie_rittigliano · « **Reply #6 on:** January 04, 2010, 03:24:33 PM »

thanks alot
ive been hesitant to reset my bridge , but with this information, im thinking maybe

my bass doesnt much like me to thumb thump her, but i have been thinking if i raised the strings a touch maybe she would comply..........?

mica · « **Reply #7 on:** January 04, 2010, 03:44:34 PM »

First make sure you don't need a truss rod adjustment - that's the primary place (Joey's post in the Must Reads section is a, well, must read). Then once the bow is set to your liking, raise or lower the bridge height.

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** January 04, 2010, 11:29:57 PM »

You can read my post in the MustReads that Mica graciously noted; I also posted a link down the page in the 'Miscellaneous' section labeled 'Fender Bass SetUp Guide' that will get you in the ball park as well. The Fender adjustments are a great generic setup that will serve as a great starting point if it doesn't suit you exactly, and serves to make you think of set up in numerical terms.

IF you're new to adjustments, remember to take SMALL steps: 1/2 a turn on the height screws, a 1/4 turn on the truss rods, and so on, will feel like noticeable changes in the feel. More than that are BIG jumps.

Alembics, however are the perfect instruments to use to teach yourself how to adjust your action:

-The one piece bridge moves as a whole, instead of one saddle at a time.

-Obviously, there's no neck bolts! So, there's no change in the neck to body pitch to worry with.

-The double truss rods are especially useful on more-than-four-string axes.

-The adjustable nut allows you to raise and lower at the head end: Almost everything else you'd be into a new nut, or at least filling in the slots and re-filing your string slots.

-And with the nut and bridge, if you remember how many turns you put on the screws, WHEN you turn it into a log the first few times like I did, you can put it right back and start over . . . like I did . . .many ...many... times!

J o e y

oddmetersam · « **Reply #9 on:** January 04, 2010, 11:45:26 PM »

Flip,
I love your detail shots. Beautiful lighting. Did you use a macro lens?

Mica,
I'd love to be able to adjust my dual truss rods, but Joey's post notwithstanding, I'm very reluctant to mess with my baby without really knowing what I'm doing. I know you guys at the Mothership are super-busy, but what about a clinic at the factory some time, or make tech sessions an integral part of the Alembic gatherings? I'd like to learn from someone intimately involved with our basses in particular.

oddmetersam · « **Reply #10 on:** January 05, 2010, 12:07:44 AM »

Joey,
I actually started typing my post above while you were clarifying. My apologies. The bottom line for me is that my 6 month old Alembic still buzzes just a little bit; this after two trips to SF Guitarworks (which I recommend, otherwise). I don't slap or pop and can live without micron-close action. Between raising the adjustable nut, raising the bridge and/or adjusting the truss rods, I'm afraid I might make things worse....

rusty_the_scoob · « **Reply #11 on:** January 05, 2010, 04:37:25 AM »

Thank you all very much, especially Mica for the underside shot and FC for the gorgeous and detailed pics! I understand how it all works now.

In case you're curious, I'm restoring and modding an old EB3 (currently an EB0 but not for long!) to match the bass that Phil Lesh used from about 1970 through the Europe '72 shows. They no longer make the Gibson bridge, but the bass still has the threaded inserts. Hopefully my machinist friend can work some magic!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/danfcrea/sets/72157616140553831/

12stringwilson · « **Reply #12 on:** January 05, 2010, 06:11:08 AM »

Dan - That is an awesome project!! Please keep us posted on the progress.

(Message edited by 12stringwilson on January 05, 2010)

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 05, 2010, 07:04:28 AM »

Looks like fun, Dan; do you have Guild/Hagstrom p/ups, or are you going with Dark Stars?

Peter

sonicus · « **Reply #14 on:** January 05, 2010, 07:38:49 AM »

HI DAN!
It is interesting to see that you are interested in PHIL LESH's old GIBSON EB3. I have found that in listening to Mr. LESH for more then the last 3 decades many being live shows and well recorded shows that;_______ that particular instrument had a sound that was very appealing to me. I can see that I am not alone in this observation heard some live shows from 1971 that were AWESOME . ( HARDING THEATER 1971 )___WOW). It was tragic that some terrible person stole that instrument.
I also endeavored to start such a project WELL over a year ago . I have a HIP SHOT SUPERTONE bridge in stead of the OEM Gibson unit (designed as a replacement by HIPSHOT for such Gibson units). I have selected to install 2 Hammon Engineering DARK STAR pickups and quite possibly an internal ACTIVE EQUALISATION circuit.You can see that I will not be trying to completely replicate The Phil Lesh model and will be adding some of my own adaptations.

The instrument that I am modifying is a LONG SCALE model. is yours long or short scale ? I am excited that others share the vision of this kind of project.

SONIC REGARDS !
Wolf_____

(Message edited by sonicus on January 05, 2010)