Adjusting Electric Bass Bridges: Raising The Bridge For Better Tone

The bridge is one of the most important components of an electric bass guitar. It is the metal plate that secures the strings to the body of the bass, and it plays a crucial role in the sound and feel of the instrument. The bridge can be adjusted in several ways, including raising or lowering it, to achieve the desired string height or action. Different types of bridges, such as top-loading and string-through-body, offer various benefits, and upgrading your bridge can increase sustain, stability, adjustability, and aesthetic appeal. Adjusting the bridge saddles can also impact intonation, ensuring perfect pitch across the neck. This guide will explore the process of raising the bridge on an electric bass, the tools required, and the advantages of different adjustments.

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Raising the bridge to adjust string height

To raise the bridge, locate the screw at the end of the bridge that connects it to the saddle. Tightening this screw will move the saddle away from the neck, raising the bridge and increasing the string height. Loosening the screw will move the saddle closer to the neck, lowering the bridge and decreasing the string height. Each string will have two adjusting screws, so take each up half a turn at a time until you reach the desired height.

For a Tune-O-Matic bridge, turn the thumbwheels counterclockwise to raise the string action, and turn them clockwise to lower it. Full Contact bridges use a single Allen wrench to turn a cam that will raise or lower the string.

After making adjustments to the bridge height, the bass will need to be tuned again. Raising the saddles will tighten the strings, so the bass will need to be tuned after adjusting the bridge. Intonation will also need to be adjusted by moving the bridge saddles towards or away from the nut to shorten or lengthen the string, respectively.

It is recommended to have a professional set up the bass the first time so that you can take note of how they adjust the saddles and how the strings feel. From then on, you can fine-tune your bass by comparing it to the original setup.

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Using an Allen wrench to adjust the saddles

To adjust the saddles of your electric bass guitar, you will need an Allen wrench. The Allen wrench is used to turn the screws that raise or lower the saddles, which in turn adjusts the string height, or action, of your bass.

Firstly, you should tune your bass as you normally would, using an electronic tuner to ensure the strings are at the correct tension. Once tuned, wait 30 minutes for the strings to settle, and then inspect the neck of your bass. The neck should have a slight bow; too much or too little, and you will need to adjust the truss rod.

Next, you can use your Allen wrench to raise or lower the bridge or the individual string saddles. If your bass has individual saddle height adjusting screws, you should first make general adjustments by raising or lowering the entire bridge, and then make your final adjustments by altering the height of the individual string saddles with the Allen wrench. If your bass does not have individual saddle height adjusting screws, you must adjust the action by raising or lowering the entire bridge.

To raise the bridge, you will need to tighten the bridge height adjusters by turning them clockwise with the Allen wrench. To lower the bridge, loosen the adjusters by turning them counterclockwise.

The correct size of Allen wrench for your bass will depend on the model and the type of bridge. For example, the correct size for a Badass II bridge is 0.050", while the EBMM Ray bridge saddles require a 1/16 Allen wrench.

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Checking the bridge feet are centred on the f-hole cuts

Checking that the bridge feet are centred on the f-hole cuts is a crucial step in ensuring the proper placement of your electric bass's bridge. Here's a detailed guide on how to do this:

Firstly, it's important to understand the role of the f-holes and bridge feet in your bass. F-holes are the two cuts in the body of your bass, located on either side of the bridge. The bridge feet are the parts of the bridge that make contact with the top of the bass, and they should be perfectly centred on the inside cuts of the f-holes. This placement is designed to optimise the structural integrity of your instrument and enhance sound transfer.

To check if your bridge feet are properly centred, begin by locating the bass bar. Look inside your bass through the E-string f-hole, and you will see the bass bar, which is a long piece of wood glued to the inside top of the bass. Next, measure the distance from the middle of the bass bar to the midpoint of the bass. Double this measurement to get the optimal distance between the centres of the bridge feet. This measurement ensures that the bridge feet are correctly positioned relative to the f-hole cuts.

Now, carefully examine the bridge feet and their alignment with the f-hole cuts. The feet should be centred on the two inside cuts of each f-hole. This positioning is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of your bass and preventing any potential damage. It is not advisable to move the bridge feet up or down from this centred position, as it could affect the sound and stability of your instrument.

If you are installing a new bridge, it's essential to select one that matches the optimal measurements you determined earlier. New bridges typically require adjustments to ensure a precise fit, as they do not come in pre-cut sizes. You may need to trim and shape the bridge feet to achieve the perfect fit for your bass. Additionally, ensure that the bridge feet are shaped to match the top of your bass seamlessly for maximum sound transfer.

By following these steps and checks, you can ensure that your electric bass's bridge feet are centred correctly on the f-hole cuts, contributing to optimal sound quality and the longevity of your instrument.

The benefits of a top-loading vs string-through-body bridge

The electric bass community has long been divided over the merits of top-loaded bridges versus string-through-body loading. Some bassists claim that string-through-body loading increases sustain, volume, and punchiness. Others argue that there is no noticeable difference between the two.

Top-loading bridges offer a few potential advantages. Firstly, they provide more flexibility in terms of string loading systems. If you prefer stiffer strings, a string-through-body bridge may be a better option. On the other hand, if you want more flexibility and easier string bending, a top-loading bridge is preferable. Top-loading bridges also tend to have a more gradual break angle, which can make them easier to play and reduce the likelihood of disturbing string rotation, leading to better intonation stability and more precise sustain and decay.

String-through-body bridges, on the other hand, are believed by some to offer increased resonance due to the direct contact between the strings and the body of the instrument. This increased resonance may result in enhanced volume and sustain. Additionally, string-through-body bridges can provide a more secure termination point for the strings, reducing the impact of multiple conflicting string contact points.

Ultimately, the choice between a top-loading and a string-through-body bridge comes down to personal preference and the specific characteristics of your bass. Some players may prefer the increased resonance and sustain associated with string-through-body bridges, while others may favour the flexibility and ease of play that top-loading bridges offer. Experimenting with different bridges and fine-tuning the setup to match your playing style and preferences is essential to achieving the desired sound and feel from your electric bass.

How to adjust the intonation of your bass

The bridge is one of the most important parts of your bass, serving as the platform that enables the strings to pass over the pickups. It is also the high-mass contact point for strings to connect with the bass body. Each string passes over an individually adjustable saddle designed to be moved slightly forward and backward (affecting intonation), as well as up or down (affecting the string height or "action").

Adjusting the intonation of your bass is a simple process. First, play the harmonic of one of the strings at the 12th fret, and tune the string to the tuner. When the harmonic of the string is in perfect tune, play the same string by fretting it at the 12th fret and compare the pitch of the note with the pitch of the harmonic. If the fretted note is sharp compared to the harmonic, lengthen the string by tightening the screw. This moves the saddle away from the neck. Now tune the string again using the harmonic. Keep adjusting the saddle until both the harmonic and the fretted note are in tune.

If the fretted note is flat, shorten the string by loosening the screw to move the saddle toward the neck. Tune the string using the harmonic, and keep adjusting the saddle until both the harmonic and fretted note are in tune. Repeat this process with all the strings. Be patient when you’re adjusting your bass.

Adjusting the intonation of your bass can also be done by raising or lowering the bridge. The saddles on the bridge can be lowered or raised by turning the screws at the top with an Allen wrench. When you adjust the saddles, you lower and raise the string height.

Frequently asked questions