2nd, separate bridge on existing acoustic bass

[Beate Ritzert]

My time currently does not permit for full builds, but one ore the other small and experimental project is a must have

This one: i want to put a short scale multiscale fret system on an existing fretless bass.
A 2nd Harley Benton B30FL, this time long scale (most of these basses are medium scale).

Here the idea:

The sound test of that setup is promising, maybe a bit on the bright side, but sufficiently loud to be played withoud amplification.

My concern is the load of the additional bridge. There is bracing underneath the feet of that bridge with crossing braces between the bridge and the sound hole. That bracing appears to me as relatively strong - height about 20mm, width about 10mm (estimated). But i am unsure wether that is strong enough or wether i would need to increase the height of the braces. And to which degree that will have a negative impact on the tone (which is remarkably good, especially regarding the price of the instrument)

[Bob Gramann]

Many factory built instruments are quite overbraced, so you’re probably okay. On that instrument, your experiment wouldn’t cost too much even if it failed. If you’re going to keep the existing pin bridge as a string anchor, worry about the break angle on the new bridge being high enough to keep the strings from slipping around as you play.

[Beate Ritzert]

In order do end this thread a picture of the almost finished bass:

In the details there is still some work to to: today i modified the flat surface of the bridge and removed 2 mm from the central part in order to concentrate the load to the braces.
That instrument will also profit from a distance plate allowing the body to vibrate freely when i play standing. Then some details in the bindings need to be repaired, and of corse the finish need some touch up.

But anyway: the bass is playable, it plays well, and i'll concentrate on improving playability and sound because i'll need it for a gig in 2 weeks.