Finished - November 2017 - Vivenbacker

[Vivg]

Quick question, I have the same kit with the same bridge which I finished last year. I didn't recess the bridge, but am thinking that I might have to. Did you rout the hole? How deep is it recessed? The action on mine is a little high with the bridge at the lowest point. This seems to be a common problem with these kits.
I'm thinking of dismantling the bass and replacing the nut as well as refinishing the headstock. It has sat since I finished it as I don't play bass any more in a band, but I'd like to make it right.
There's a link to my build in my signature below.
Thanks!

I changed to a Gotoh bridge, I wanted something heavier, in the hope it would get me closer to that rick-o-sound. I tried the bridge without recess into the body, remember also that I added a top, but if you look closely you can see that is actually recessed so the bridge was just above the original surface. Secondly there is a very slight neck break angle. It is very small, but I expected that would allow the higher bridge. Wrong! In the end I routed down to the original body, and remounted the bridge there. The bridge itself has small black height adjustable saddles. see pic.



The saddles come out easily enough and on the low E and B strings (remember its a five string) I have filed those down to get still lower action. I do suspect that if I want to get a bit lower I would need to route about 1-2 mm into the body.

I think the trick is to start high and work down!

Really nice look to yours, it looks brilliant finished.