Change Bridge to Change Sound?

[Eric Swanson]

A couple of weeks ago I took some strings off to try another brand. Didn't like the "new" ones so put back on the first set. They are brighter, clearer, etc.

Same strings, same everything, yet, something changed...

My point is that the subtlety and number of variables are stunning.

I've read luthiers talk about different bridge shapes yielding different sounds. I agree with the notion that every piece of wood sounds different; any change is a calculated risk, as far as I can tell...

[Eric Hochberg]

I had some scoop taken out of my fingerboard yesterday (around 1/16" first couple positions) and the difference in tone and ease of play is dramatic. More tone (brightness), especially up the fingerboard, and more volume now. Really sounds like a different bass.