Getting your bass guitar to play just right involves a few key adjustments, and the bridge is central to this. Understanding how to adjust your Bass Guitar Bridge is crucial for both comfort and getting the best sound from your instrument. Two essential aspects of bridge setup are adjusting the string height and setting the intonation. These adjustments, while seemingly small, make a significant difference in how your bass feels and plays in tune.
Adjusting String Height for Optimal Playability
The height of your strings above the fretboard, also known as action, is largely determined at the bridge. Each string saddle on the bridge can be independently adjusted to raise or lower the string. The ideal string height is really a matter of personal taste. Some bassists prefer a very low action for faster playing, while others like a slightly higher action to avoid fret buzz and allow for a more aggressive playing style.
To adjust the string height, start by ensuring all the individual string saddles are sitting level on the bridge. Then, begin to adjust the height using the screws on each saddle. A good starting point is to adjust the saddles so the strings feel comfortable to you. Play each string across the fretboard and listen for any buzzing. If you experience buzzing, especially on the lower strings, you may need to raise the action slightly for those strings. It’s common for the lower-pitched strings to require a slightly higher action than the higher-pitched strings because they vibrate in a wider arc. Experiment with small adjustments until you find a string height that feels comfortable and minimizes unwanted buzz. You can use a ruler to measure the string height at the 12th fret if you want to keep track of your adjustments or replicate a preferred setup in the future.
Setting Intonation for Accurate Tuning Across the Fretboard
Intonation is the accuracy of pitch as you play up the neck. Correct intonation ensures that your bass plays in tune not just on open strings, but also when you fret notes higher up the neck. Adjusting intonation is done at the bridge by moving each string saddle forward or backward, effectively changing the string’s speaking length. To set your bass guitar’s intonation, you will need an electronic tuner.
Begin by tuning your open G string (or any string you choose) to perfect pitch using your tuner. Next, play the harmonic at the 12th fret of the same string and check its pitch with the tuner. Then, fret the string at the 12th fret and compare its pitch to the 12th fret harmonic.
If the fretted note at the 12th fret is sharper (higher in pitch) than the 12th fret harmonic, you need to lengthen the string. Do this by turning the intonation screw at the back of the bridge to move the saddle away from the neck. If the fretted note is flat (lower in pitch) compared to the harmonic, you need to shorten the string. Adjust the saddle by moving it closer to the neck.
After each saddle adjustment, re-tune the open string to pitch, and repeat the process of comparing the 12th fret harmonic and fretted note. Continue making small adjustments until the pitch of the 12th fret harmonic and the fretted 12th fret note are identical. Once the intonation is correctly set for one string, repeat this process for each of the remaining strings. You will typically find that the saddles for the lower pitched strings are positioned further back, away from the neck, than the saddles for the higher pitched strings.
Once you have completed both the string height and intonation adjustments, your bass guitar bridge should be properly set up. The result should be a bass that is comfortable to play and plays in tune across the entire fretboard. You can always make minor adjustments to the saddle heights afterward, as they may shift slightly during the intonation process, to achieve your perfect setup.
