[Eric Swanson]

Thought you folks might appreciate the new bridge that Michael Hartery just fitted to my bass. He is nearly done with a series of minor, strategic improvements on my very modest instrument. Thankfully, he is finding sound in my bass that we had both hoped was there. Putting the personal, corrective touch on a bass that I bought with some unfortunate setup issues.

My former bridge came to me with angled legs, the adjusters unequally set (by about 3/8” from side to side), over ½” of adjuster thread showing (on one side), and some visible gaps between the bass’ top and the feet. The old bridge was also quite thick at the heart, tapering quickly up to the strings.

The former assembly was remarkably delicate and tenuous. The legs were constantly trying to splay toward the f-holes, creating gaps at the outer edges of both feet.

Michael’s carving is the icing on the cake. The bass is under less tension at the bridge, the feet have full contact, the walnut/aluminum adjusters turn effortlessly, the curve is lovely, and the sound is better than ever. The straight legs certainly seem to help the whole assembly sit better.

As a professional woodworker, I really appreciate Michael’s craftsmanship and attention to detail. It is all about fit and finish…

So far the list of corrections/improvements is comprised by a thicker soundpost (repositioned), a carbon fiber endpin, and this new bridge. This week, Michael will be hollowing out the bottom of the fingerboard (overhanging the bass’ top). I look forward to hearing the instrument without that ballast…

Michael’s contact info:
http://web.mac.com/mhartery