'Wingless' Bridge

[Joel Larsson]

Originally Posted by Calvin Marks

Joel, thanks for your terrific input. It's one thing to speculate about these bridges without actually trying one out but it makes a world of difference when a world class player chimes in with his/her personal experiences.

Why, thank you Calvin, thank you, thank you!

[Mike Mandelas]

Finally we tried the wingless bridge in the pricipal's bass and the results were even better. From your replies it seems that this bridge is common knowledge to many of you, so it's good to know that we are not talking about reinventing the wheel.
I also tried it with a Marvin wire tailpiece and IMHO the situation seems to be even better.
Now i'm waiting for a Hungarian double bass, built in the seventies, fully carved, which will be added in my collection. I found it in Atelier Paganini, in Prague, two weeks ago. It's a lovely instrument, built with excellent flamed maple and it delivers a "booming" piz sound. I'll try the wingless bridge ant the wire tailpiece on it and i'll let you know the results.
After it my final target will be a Cleveland hybrid, which i plan to buy in my next visit to the States. I think it's an honour for me to have an Arnold's instrument in my collection. Even if this means that i have to sell some of my other instruments, for space availability.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

So, would you guys with "wingless" experience recommend trying this on a bass used primarily for soloing? A particular client of mine is looking for faster response and a more open, bright and ringing sound. I've done what I could and it made a difference, but possibly not enough. Interestingly, the biggest difference was made by replacing the 1/2" carbon fiber endpin with a solid steel one.

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Despite the lack of replies to my previous question, I decided to go ahead and amputate the wings on the bridge of this bass of mine. I spent a good deal of time bowing the bass before and after. My initial reaction, albeit from the user's position only, is that the bass gained some aggressiveness and clarity but gave up some sweetness. I'll post again after my client has had a chance to play it. It looks cool on this particular bass (Ergonomic IV).

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

Despite the lack of replies to my previous question, I decided to go ahead and amputate the wings on the bridge of this bass of mine. I spent a good deal of time bowing the bass before and after. My initial reaction, albeit from the user's position only, is that the bass gained some aggressiveness and clarity but gave up some sweetness. I'll post again after my client has had a chance to play it. It looks cool on this particular bass (Ergonomic IV).

Arnold, you see the pattern here?

You Bowed the Bass and it lost some sweetness!

I never knew you to be the aggressive type..

Sorry, I just couldn't resist..

[Brian Gencarelli]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

Despite the lack of replies to my previous question, I decided to go ahead and amputate the wings on the bridge of this bass of mine. I spent a good deal of time bowing the bass before and after. My initial reaction, albeit from the user's position only, is that the bass gained some aggressiveness and clarity but gave up some sweetness. I'll post again after my client has had a chance to play it. It looks cool on this particular bass (Ergonomic IV).

I think it would be interesting to play around with the thickness of the bridge and taking the wings off. If you added mass in one place and removed it in another could you "tune" it to the bass? Maybe not lose some of the "sweetness" but focus the core of the sound? hmm...

[Calvin Marks]

Originally Posted by Arnold Schnitzer

Despite the lack of replies to my previous question, I decided to go ahead and amputate the wings on the bridge of this bass of mine. I spent a good deal of time bowing the bass before and after. My initial reaction, albeit from the user's position only, is that the bass gained some aggressiveness and clarity but gave up some sweetness. I'll post again after my client has had a chance to play it. It looks cool on this particular bass (Ergonomic IV).

Any news?

[Arnold Schnitzer]

Super loud, super bright, super aggressive. Took it off, but saved it for solo use.

[Calvin Marks]

Getting the procedure done next week, will let you all know the results!