Workshop: Setting up a Double Bass Bridge and Soundpost

Today we take a look in the workshop, where Dan is busy carrying out a set-up on a double bass that has come to us for a repair. We show you behind the scenes of this delicate work, from the initial measuring and cutting, to fine-tuning in order to make the best possible sound. As this instrument is a five-string, it's especially important to get this right to ensure maximum playability and resonance.
Music: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston - www.gardnermuseum.org
#kontrabas #contrabas #kontrabasso #contrebasse #contrabbasso #contrabajo #cello #violin #viola #luthier #orchestra #contrabass #woodworking #bassporn #instrument

[@Against_the_grain]

wow, this was captivating... came looking for a quick diy, but stayed for a masterclass..

[@ugisimmers6836]

This is as beautiful as the music those instruments make makes

[@Pyramidenweihe]

……… fantastisch, hier sieht man wie viele Schritte am Steg und an der Stimme für einen schönen Klang notwendig sind! Gratulation für dieses schöne Video das durch den Mozart wunderbar ergänzt wird!❤❤

[@BluegillGreg]

Excellent luthiery work, effective editing, gorgeous photography and music, focused vision and teamwork. Thank you.

[@Funkyjazzomatic]

Wow !!! True passion for the craft! Beautiful !

[@maumtzrs1344]

I love these videos about the procedure that is done when adjusting a friend instrument, have more videos of this type, you are the best bro

[@Chevyteddy]

Simply the best I saw! Really fantastic workmanship!!!

[@RussSargeant]

Fascinating to watch. True craftsmanship.

[@yordanonunez]

Incredible video, thank you for sharing your art with us!

[@davidsanme1715]

Interesantisimo e impredionante video. Todo un arte. Gracias y felicidades

[@thepenetrationchannel6282]

That is a GREAT video ! Thank you . Chris Da Plumber 😘

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@daverei1211]

Wow so much loving craftsmanship. Thank you for sharing.

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Thanks for watching!

[@MarkFromTaiwan]

now i know how to deal with my cello thank you so much

[@larryholland7192]

Awesome Work!!

[@realinowidianto2301]

Wow so.much loving thank you for sharing the beautifull

[@clicks59]

Amazing skills and craftsmanship! I learned so much from watching this video. Just wondering why the non-contact edges and wood materials are trimmed from the bridge assemblies? I’m going to try my hand at installing an adjustable bridge on my old Kay. The action is just a smidge too high for my liking. I’ll definitely match the contours of the currently installed bridge as it’s fitted pretty well.

[@petercheney8316]

I love that stuff.

[@Dansback21]

Damn. He’s as beautiful as those basses!🤯

[@nord_laender]

Absolute amazing!

[@datdao9760]

The video sound is pretty good, beyond my imagination

[@patrickjobling8676]

Magnificent 😍

[@Oscaraha]

So incredibly cool, I want to do this!

[@Bassmint44]

Extraordinary! Thank you for sharing this. I will try and emulate what I saw /learned in this video as I re-cut the existing bridge on my old Kay Bass. The bridge was not fit correctly to begin with and it does have some top issues where the feet sit...it is sinking a bit on the G side. Yesterday, I wanted to "clean up" the bridge, make the arch better using my template and take some "mass" off the front. It worked out "ok"...however by subtracting material off the E and A side to make the arching correct, now with the adjuster all the way up on the E side, the E and A string are still wayyyy to low. So, I will add material to the E foot and fit it correctly like I saw Dan do it in this video. The G side is ok, but that foot needs to be fit properly as well. I'll take care to do it while I am at it. LOL, I started out just adding the correct cable wire to the Tailpiece. Ha, Ha. Might as well do it all and do it as correctly as possible. Of course, ultimately, I will probably just replace the bridge altogether. Thank you for the inspiration! Best regards from Las Vegas, Nevada! Kurt.

[@sergiowagnerbass]

Parabéns, Gratuliere, Congratulations!!!!!!

[@janw1948]

Handwerk/ handwork. Beautiful - thank you for sharing.

[@jamesrichardson3322]

This incredible art form to have, theses ladies and Gentlemen who repair double upright basses are God Send!! What piece is this and who composed it? Beautiful

[@mycofairbanks3321]

fabulous

[@francescodefendi3201]

11:48 craftArt! 😍👍🏼

[@ellielikesbikes8289]

The tiny plane!

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Thanks for watching, we have lots of different sized planes for different jobs

[@andreconerly640]

A double bass 🔊 is one of the classic, iconic 4-string instruments used all kinds of music 🎶 🎵. The Fender bass is a triple bass, which is much powerful than the double bass 🔊, I love ❤️ the bass 🔊 sound of these classical instruments, much better than the electric bass guitars 🎸.

[@seamus9305]

Wow, 5 strings! Great work. A lutherie has to do woodwork with machinist precision.

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Thank you very much!

[@TimbervilleJim]

This is a five-string bass - not very common, but very handy for doubling cello lines in classical music.

[@kevinchen338]

very good job !

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@deimosvega]

Amazing!!!!

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Thanks!!

[@rudyledezma1127]

beautiful job... :)

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ggquintanilha]

Fantástico

[@decleversonbueno4]

Amazing!! I am starting to study lutherie and these jobs are fascinating. Great job! what kind of base did you paint on the bridge? It's very cool !! Great job!👏🏻👏🏻

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

We use linseed oil on the bridge :D

[@pemoremar5423]

Masters

[@gabatoro]

I love it

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Thanks for watching!

[@deutsche_lyrik]

But isn't it easier to fix sandpaper over the curvature of the body and sand the bridge with the curvature? Well at least that's how I do it...but everyone has their own way 😌 Greetings from germany 🙏🏻

[@anthonyplaysbass]

Yeah my bridge collapsed when playing and soundpost fell obviously...how the heck do I re align it at home without the tool? And it seems the soundpost isn't flush with the front and backside of the bass, so it doesn't sit tight and upright before tightening the strings!

[@JosesGarage101]

Great video 👍. Can you tell me What exactly the differences in sound between franch vs Belgium bridge?

[@andreconerly640]

Some of the double basses have five strings.

[@homerohomero5563]

When the adjusted bridge is sitting at its lowest, how far should the strings be off from the fingerboard (bottom of the fingerboard)? And vise versa, when you raise the bridge, how far should the strings be? Just trying to get a sense of an estimated range. Thanks!!

[@fatoakrecords]

Does anybody know what this music is? I cannot find it searching Isabella Stewart Gardner, only museum website. Thanks.

[@PeterBerry-jm2pz]

What is the green substance you are rubbing under the feet of the bridge before the final placement of it?

[@whitorblius]

Beautiful craftsmanship and great video! Quick question that came to mind. What are your thoughts on bridge adjusters? I've heard different claims about them changing the tone/resonance of the instrument for the worse.

[@mykolfornasero3631]

Well done! why the mask when cutting at 2:59?

[@renandias7926]

Amazing video, congrats do Dan craftsmanship, lots of work to install the adjusters.. One question: what is the recommended string spacing at the bridge ( and also should I measure between the center of each string for equal spacing, or at the edges in order to aim for uneven string spacing)?

[@bobgreen8142]

I've read that 27-28mm from string centre to string centre is most common, although some players go down to 25mm

[@joekim3757]

never knew they made 5 string double basses

[@MattHoyle1]

Hello, anyone know the model of finger plane used to dress the feet of the bridge?

[@koko.hauoli]

What is that tiny hand planer called that you were using to finetune the fit of the bridge feet ? The itty bitty brass looking one held in fingers

[@clicks59]

IBEX thumb plane. They come in various sizes

[@mcl3223]

what needle files might you recommend for the bridge/nut slotting?

[@chrisstaylor8377]

Why cut of end of the post

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

We do this as the end of the post is rough and it is good practice to never just use the end that has been cut and sat for a long time :-)

[@dritanhekurani3780]

Beatiful ! ... can ask you for something .I have a 3/4 double bass I can make a 5 mm G string, to play classical music ?

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Yes that sounds about right, 5mm on the treble side and around 8 or 9mm on the bass side

[@gabatoro]

How much it's the separation between string and fingerboard?

[@derekbauer2125]

Like 5-10mm

[@charlesgentry1852]

What did you brush on the bridge and why ?

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

We brush linseed oil on the bridge to protect it

[@nickarredondo6063]

What string height do you aim for at the end of the fingerboard? 4-String, 4-String w/ Extension, 5-String? Thank you!

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Hi, 6-10mm for 4 string and 6-12mm for 5 string :D

[@nickarredondo6063]

@@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers thank you!

[@bustabass9025]

I've seen this one. I remember the tattoo dude.

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Yes Dan's Tattoos are legendary :-)

[@randmace1101]

Nice 👍🏼 video.. music used for background maestro?

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola :-)

[@michaelblaney4461]

A 5 string with a low B ???

[@brandonbishop4275]

What's the tool you're using to soften the feet of the bridge, right after the spindle sander? Looks super useful, thanks!

[@chunegrolas]

Could you guys please tell me what kind of varnish is he applying in the bridge?

[@monz7951]

I think probably an oil varnish. I've personally had good results with boiled linseed oil

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

We use linseed oil on the bridge :D

[@trustmessiahjesus]

how many hours did it take?

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

Cool name, & also labor charge rate, guess I'll go to his stores web page for this. See you later, funny knowing this will be and not just a saying.

[@Ronjoehynes]

Anyone know what kind of pencil he's using to mark the top of the bass?

[@Ronjoehynes]

@Thomas & George Martin Violin Makers?

[@ThomasGeorgeViolinMakers]

We use a standard 2B pencil :D

[@tflstr557]

He is using one designed for a right handed person..

[@jscottfischer]

I sure wish I could hear what they're saying!!

[@michaelblaney4461]

A Band saw ........ How Dare You!!!😀