Aluminium (8mm) Bridge Adjusters Click on image for more views.

Aluminium (8mm) Bridge Adjusters

What are the advantages of using the Aluminium Bridge Adjusters?

Here at The Contrabass Shoppe - we particularly like the Aluminium Bridge Adjusters because that they are extremely light in weight and the design - a "free-rotating" adjuster wheel on a thread is beautifully simple.

When fitted - how do I lower or raise the action of the strings?

To lower the strings - assuming that you are standing behind your instrument - it is simply a matter of moving the adjuster wheel towards the treble side of the instrument. To raise the action of the strings simply move the adjuster wheel towards the bass side of the instrument.

I presume that the adjusters need to be moved by the same amount?

Yes - each adjuster needs to be moved by the same amount - otherwise the bridge will end up lopsided.
Is it true that when raising the height of the strings - the adjusters can seem a little tight?
Yes - you should expect some tightness in raising the action. You are after all - raising the bridge with the full pressure of the strings bearing down on it.

Is there anything that I can do or check to make the wheels easier to move?

Yes - you should first check to see if your bridge is absolutely straight. Sometimes the top of the bridge creeps upwards due to the tuning up and down of the strings over a long period of time or more immediately noticeable following the changing of the strings or the fitment of a pick-up to the underside of the bridge feet.

Is there an easy way to check to see if the bridge isn't quite straight?

Yes - check to see if the gap above and below the legs are even. Should the top-gap be narrower - then place your thumb on the very top of the bridge between the D and A string and apply pressure until the gaps are even.

If the adjusters are still a little stiff after I have checked the bridge - is there anything else that I can do?

Yes - slacken the strings off from the instrument so that there is less tension on the bridge. Obviously don't take the tension completely off the strings - because the sound post will - most likely - fall down.

Summary:

Once you've had some adjusters fitted into your bridge - you'll wonder just how you ever got on without them before. Here at The Contrabass Shoppe we particularly like the aluminium adjusters because they are very light in weight, they transmit the sound from the strings in a similar way to a good quality maple bridge and they are simple to use.

Stats: Aluminium Bridge Adjusters

Length of adjuster legs: 4.21cm (ave)
Diameter of adjuster legs:0.796cm (ave)
Diameter of adjuster wheels: 3.02cm (ave)
Depth of adjuster wheels:0.50cm (ave)
Weight of one adjuster leg and wheel: 14.0gms (ave)

Price UK£ 28-00