Muffled Muddy Tone

[jkschultz48]

I am returning to the double bass after many, many years off. I live in a tiny remote rural town and bought a bass (Carlos Lamberti Sonata 2016) online with only a video and some pictures to go by. I have been working on the tone now for about a month. I bought a CF french bow from Gollihur Music that feels great and plays well. The G string sounds bright and clean all up and down the finger board, but the D string sounds sort of muted or muffled just about anywhere, and that goes pretty much for the A and E strings as well. I realize that there may be many factors to consider--the room, humidity, my fingering, just to name a few. However, at this point I am particularly concerned about two points. First, it appears that the strings are too deeply notched into the bridge, and secondly, the bridge appears to be warped slightly toward the tail piece. The feet of the bridge are solid; can't slip paper under the feet anywhere. Do you think these factors could be causing the tone problem?

 

[Tahoebassguy]

I am returning to the double bass after many, many years off. I live in a tiny remote rural town and bought a bass (Carlos Lamberti Sonata 2016) online with only a video and some pictures to go by. I have been working on the tone now for about a month. I bought a CF french bow from Gollihur Music that feels great and plays well. The G string sounds bright and clean all up and down the finger board, but the D string sounds sort of muted or muffled just about anywhere, and that goes pretty much for the A and E strings as well. I realize that there may be many factors to consider--the room, humidity, my fingering, just to name a few. However, at this point I am particularly concerned about two points. First, it appears that the strings are too deeply notched into the bridge, and secondly, the bridge appears to be warped slightly toward the tail piece. The feet of the bridge are solid; can't slip paper under the feet anywhere. Do you think these factors could be causing the tone problem?

I'll take a stab at it; I would say the main culprit is probably the sound post. If you can find a good luthier, he could make the proper adjustments. Or you can check out YouTube. You might find some self-help there.

 

[jkschultz48]

I'll take a stab at it; I would say the main culprit is probably the sound post. If you can find a good luthier, he could make the proper adjustments. Or you can check out YouTube. You might find some self-help there.

Thanks for your help. The book is not cheap but all the reviews are favorable and it sounds like I should have the book whether I have a problem or not. The sound post was not my first thought but since the bridge was taken down when the instrument was shipped cross-country via Fedex, it is very likely that it shifted. I have located a luthier in Saskatoon, Canada and he will be looking at the bass in a few weeks. Meanwhile, the sound gets better as I practice. Thanks.

 

[Tahoebassguy]

Good luck! Hope I could help.