Boxwood & Ebony (10mm) Bridge Adjusters:

My bridge is made from wood. Surely - if I really want the most natural sound possible from my bridge adjusters - then they should be made from wood too?

In a word - yes. If you want to be absolutely sure that the transmission of sound through your bridge adjusters is as close and true to having a "fixed-leg" bridge then wooden adjusters are definitely the adjusters of choice.

I noticed that both the wheel and the threaded legs are larger than metal adjusters. Why is that?

The threaded legs of both the Boxwood and the Ebony Bridge Adjusters are 9.87mm (ave) in diameter and the adjuster wheels are 34.0mm (ave) in diameter. Wooden adjusters - have to be turned to slightly larger dimensions than their metal counterparts simply because wood - being a natural medium is not as strong as metal. In order to produce wooden adjusters the wood really has to be of the finest quality.

How fine exactly?

The wood has to be of a very, very close grain and absolutely free of blemishes.

I love the look of the Wooden Bridge Adjusters?

Yes - the chunky design looks great and the adjuster wheels feel just wonderful in the hand.

Are there any differences between the Boxwood and Ebony Bridge Adjusters?

No not much really. The ebony adjusters are marginally heavier in weight and perhaps - due to less shrinkage of the wood - a negligible amount larger in terms of average leg diameter. Apart from these two things - both pairs of adjusters are identical in their dimensions, leg-thread and quality of manufacture.

My choice of which type to go for is purely aesthetic then?

Yes. Some players prefer the Boxwood Bridge Adjusters because their colour compliments the pale white to light-fawn hues of their maple bridge. Some players prefer the Ebony Bridge Adjusters because their colour matches the pitch black of their ebony fingerboard and tailpiece.

Is there anything that I should consider before purchasing the Wooden Bridge Adjusters?

Yes. If you are intending to fit any type of adjuster you need to check that the legs of your bridge are wide enough and straight enough to accommodate the adjuster legs.

Summary:

Bridge Adjusters that are made from real wood are the most obvious and natural medium through which to transmit the sound of your strings through to the body of your bass. We boffins at The Contrabass Shoppe really like both the Boxwood and Ebony Adjusters because they are light in weight, look absolutely fabulous on the instrument and are very user friendly and tactile.

Stats: Boxwood & Ebony Bridge Adjusters

Length of adjuster legs: 6.52cm (ave)
Diameter of adjuster legs: 0.987cm (ave)
Diameter of adjuster wheels: 3.40cm (ave)
Depth of adjuster wheels: 0.74cm (ave)
Weight of one Boxwood adjuster leg and wheel: 8.0gms (ave)
Weight of one Ebony adjuster leg and wheel: 10.0gms (ave)