NBD Vantage VS600, bridge arched...

[GCQ23]

Hi. I recently got this VS600b, but the bridge looks like it should be on a double bass. the middle strings are way up in the air, could i press it flatter without causing harm to the bridge? or best getting a replacement, or making my own (I have made various bridges in the past), I would like it to be a good player, but not ruin its 'Witchy-ness'
Thanks in advance.

 

[GCQ23]

Ah, I found the issue.. the saddles are slightly different heights, and have numbers on the bottom, (1,2,3,4.. cast into the saddle), as well as the arch being unrelated to the fretboard radius, the saddles had been put back (as they always fall out when changing strings) in the wrong place, now it looks much more like the fretboard radius, I will clean the 30 or so years of dirt on the fretboard and elsewhere (I have never seen a dirtier instrument, and have been renovating and fixing quite a few). If there is a dirtiest bass ever thread, please point me to it..
Cheers.

 

[Abner]

You can get a replacement bridge. Check the Vantage club thread.

 

[Abner]

Ah, I found the issue.. the saddles are slightly different heights, and have numbers on the bottom, (1,2,3,4.. cast into the saddle), as well as the arch being unrelated to the fretboard radius, the saddles had been put back (as they always fall out when changing strings) in the wrong place, now it looks much more like the fretboard radius, I will clean the 30 or so years of dirt on the fretboard and elsewhere (I have never seen a dirtier instrument, and have been renovating and fixing quite a few). If there is a dirtiest bass ever thread, please point me to it..
Cheers.

Still, the bridge is warped. It happens.

 

[GCQ23]

actually, looking back at the first photo before I flattened the bridge somewhat, the saddles look to be in the correct places, so it must be just that the bridge distorted by string pull, I will re-inforce the indented rectangle space underneath with some aluminium, or thin steel when I get time, that'lll stop any further distortions from happening.

 

[GCQ23]

Still, the bridge is warped. It happens.

Thanks, but now it isnt, and there are no signs of stress. I may plough on without the replacement, as likely it will cost more than the bass did.

 

[Abner]

If it works, it's all good.

(But that bridge is supposed to be flat.)

 

[CTBassGuy]

I actually had the same issue with my newly acquired Mystic bass (VP-710b) and replaced the bridge with one from Reverb for $35. It’s a notorious problem with these bridges; Vantages and otherwise.

You can see pictures of mine in this thread: NBD: Vintage Matsumoku (Vantage) Double P

I love mine now; congrats on a very nicely built bass,

 

[GCQ23]

If it works, it's all good.

(But that bridge is supposed to be flat.)

Doh!
Yes, i see the saddles are height compensated to be relative to the fretboard radius.
Ok, I guess ill flatten it more..
And then re-inforce it..
Meanwhile i may try finding a second hand replacement.
Hosco make them for £65..
but im reluctant to spend out any more if i can help it.
Cleaned it last night.. after some photos.
I can't believe how much dirt was on the fretboard. And on nearly every fret.
It took some scraping..

 

[GCQ23]

I actually had the same issue with my newly acquired Mystic bass (VP-710b) and replaced the bridge with one from Reverb for $35. It’s a notorious problem with these bridges; Vantages and otherwise.

You can see pictures of mine in this thread: NBD: Vintage Matsumoku (Vantage) Double P

I love mine now; congrats on a very nicely built bass,

Lovely. Theres a lot of love for these basses around, for good reason, i love the neck joint even tho its bolt on. yes , i can feel ill get along nicely with this bass, its a good size.
I'm not sure what strings ill settle with tho.

 

[Iridescentone]

....so it must be just that the bridge distorted by string pull....

Looking at the pic, I'd say someone hamfistedly jacked up the center height adjusting screw and bent the plate. Can't see how string tension could possibly do that. And looking at the pickup, apparently someone was obsessed with aligning everything with the board radius. They even managed to crack the casings in the process (before realizing that the pole pieces can screw up and down?). lol

Edit: Hey maybe they were planning to play it arco, which would seem even wackier. What's the nut look like?

 

[CTBassGuy]

Looking at the pic, I'd say someone hamfistedly jacked up the center height adjusting screw and bent the plate. Can't see how string tension could possibly do that.”

For whatever reason it does seem like the string tension does it (cheap metal used for the bridge, etc.). There are a number of examples here of Vantages and Gibson/Epiphones where the bent bridge situation occurs. My Vantage was like that, and @Baa has 6 of them, and most of his were the same way.

In any case, with the bridge either flattened back in to shape, or replaced, it should be good to go. Seems as if the OP’s bass may have had more abuse than average, but I’d bet once it’s cleaned up and the bridge addressed, it will be a very serviceable bass.

 

[Baa]

I've bought new No-Name aftermarket and used. Both Gibson and Epiphone.
They worked great!
Only thing is you MUST use the old bridge saddles. The Gibson/Epiphone ones have different heights.
And you need to change the three screws , because the new bridge wont fit the old screws. But you can leave the bushings in the bass, the new screws fit in the old bushings.

 

[Abner]

Can't see how string tension could possibly do that.

Maybe not, but it be so.

 

[GCQ23]

Hi. thanks for replies, Well, I've fixed it and cleaned it up, and for now put some flat wounds on it, and wow, its a beauty. theres that neck dive issue, sure, but my friend's Spectre has the worst neck dive ever, and he didnt notice till i pointed it out.. ha.
The bass ha shad some SERIOUS use, as the grimey fretboard proved, but its cleaned up well, and apart from the obvious hammering in of nails it has done over its life, its looking pretty.
I got the bridge as close to flat as it would go, and it seems fine with the action now.
Very nice to play now, and the pickup sound is very punchy.

 

[GCQ23]

Ah, sorry about the multiple images, something weird with the wifi connection i have...

 

[Abner]

Good stuff, but I'd still be looking for a new bridge. This one will now have a little metal fatigue, and will warp back into an arc before you know it. Maybe even snap. That has also happened before.

 

[GCQ23]

Good stuff, but I'd still be looking for a new bridge. This one will now have a little metal fatigue, and will warp back into an arc before you know it. Maybe even snap. That has also happened before.

Ah, yes fatigue, but warping.. no way, theres an extra 5mm of aluminium recessed into the underneath...

Edit: it's still possible tho... i suppose..

 

[ATLbassist]

I've bought new No-Name aftermarket and used. Both Gibson and Epiphone.
They worked great!
Only thing is you MUST use the old bridge saddles. The Gibson/Epiphone ones have different heights.
And you need to change the three screws , because the new bridge wont fit the old screws. But you can leave the bushings in the bass, the new screws fit in the old bushings.

So, I have a similar problem. I found a Vantage on Shopgoodwill.com (thread soon) that has a bent bridge. It had no saddles, so I bought a set of Gibson / Epiphone saddles before I fully researched this issue. How off will the height be if I use these? I plan on straightening the bridge, but I could probably find a saddle-less used one somewhere.

 

[Baa]

So, I have a similar problem. I found a Vantage on Shopgoodwill.com (thread soon) that has a bent bridge. It had no saddles, so I bought a set of Gibson / Epiphone saddles before I fully researched this issue. How off will the height be if I use these? I plan on straightening the bridge, but I could probably find a saddle-less used one somewhere.

I don't remember how the Gibson/Epi's are and i have given the ones that came with the bridges away.
Iirc the originals form an arc, and on a Vantage they only increase in height.