Adjustable Upright Bass Bridges (Multiple Sizes Available)

Offered here in the most common 3/4 size, as well as for 1/4, 1/2, 7/8 and 4/4 size basses, an adjustable bridge can be a godsend for your Upright Bass. It gives you the ability to vary the action for different styles, lower for jazz styles, where fingerboard buzz is a welcome seasoning, in the middle for general play where you want more note bloom or boom, and higher for bluegrass or rockabilly slap. Of course, adjustable height bridges are also often a necessity to compensate for seasonal changes on some carved instruments. (Did you know that top orchestral players who use solid bridges commonly have a "winter" and "summer" bridge for this reason?)

All of us here at the shop (past and present) have adjustable bridges on all of our basses. I appreciate the ability to fine tune action, especially here in the Northeast, where temperature and humidity can swing pretty wide with the seasons.  And it's nice to be able to raise it for an acoustic bluegrass jam so I can get maximum volume from string bloom room, or lower it for more fingerboard interaction when playing an amplified jazz gig.

Will adding adjusters affect the tone/volume/sound of the bass?

They've done tests with sophisticated, computerized audio analysis equipment; while frequency responses from those tests are able to be measured, unless you happen to be Jamie Sommers, with a bionic ear (I'm really dating myself, here), you're pretty unlikely to sense the very subtle differences. Tonal differences from the quality of the wood or bass setup would be far more apparent, and IMHO, the added adjustability factor overrules any concerns about tonal changes (by far). These bridges are made from quality maple and are tapped and assembled with precision. Compared to the common "stock" fixed bridges on many newer basses, if anything you'll probably get improved tone, because the wood quality is better. You've got no worries, here - and you'll love the flexibility that they add.

Bridge Measurements (approx.)

Threads up, threads down? Our popular bridges (all sizes) are tapped "threads up" - meaning that the threaded portion of the adjuster is in the body of the bridge, and the solid unthreaded posts spin freely in the feet. We also stock an alternate model bridge which is tapped to be used "threads down," meaning that the bridge feet is where the threads are (the solid posts go into the body of the bridge.) These alternate bridges also use a 5/8" posts, making them a different sized thread set than our standard bridges, which have 1/4" posts. (It also has slightly different styling, but it's a really insignificant difference.)

If you don't know what any of this means to you, and can't figure out which one you want, get the "regular" one. If you already have a Full Circle Pickup and are planning to use the pickup with the bridge, check to see what size threads are on the pickup you have and choose accordingly.

These brand new high quality maple bridges have excellent quality, lightweight aluminum adjusters that were precision installed at the bridge maker's shop. We have large, high resolution photos of representative bridges so you can see the detail of the high grade of maple used.


Instructions are included:
I will be glad to include my personal notes with tips on installing a double bass bridge! I am also glad to chat with you via email or on the phone if you have any questions. Installing a bridge isn't brain surgery, but does require careful planning and execution. Do you already have an adjustable or regular bridge that needs to be installed, or do you want to get an idea of the process?? Let me know and I'll send you the instructions via email, no obligation.


I measured, and this bridge is TOO BIG?
That's to be expected! Double basses have different neck angles, which results in the need for different sized bridges -- you can't buy a bridge "off the shelf" to immediately fit your bass. All bridges require fitting. I include instructions to advise you how to trim the top and feet of the bridge to fit your instrument.

The photo shows a similiarly sized bridge cut a bridge down to just 6" tall to fit a 3/4 size Kay; this specific photo is of a slightly different adjustable bridge I formerly sold.

How can I be sure I have the right size bridge?
If you look or feel inside through the E string f-hole, you will find the Bass Bar; it runs parallel to and below the E string. If you measure from the middle of the bar to the mid-point of the bass and double the measurement, you now know the proper measurement of the bridge's feet when measured from center to center. Choose a replacement bridge in that range (most basses are 3/4 size, approximately four inches from the center point of each foot ) with a height larger than your current bridge.

Will it fit my KAY or ENGELHARDT bass?
Almost all Kay and Engelhardt models were 3/4 size, with just a few exceptions. If you have a Kay or Engelhardt bass that ISN'T a 1/4-size small-bodied model (like the M-3, EM-3, etc.) then you almost definitely have a bass that will use our 3/4 size bridge. (There are a handful of other Kay models that were not 3/4 size, but they're exceedingly rare, and if you have one, you probably already know it.)