Misowaki

This sounds like an idea! Thanks

I figured it was just because it was a cheapo bass but yeah, also makes sense that the bridge was swapped out. I borrowed a friends DB once and I don't remember it feeling anywhere near as high as this. I'm certain the neck joint is fine, surely I'd have seen or heard cracking of some kind if it was going, right?

Yeah, the thing was covered in them and I've gradually been removing them 😄 There's a cheap piezo installed under the fingerboard, too. Amplifies nothing but the slap so was clearly owned by a dude that was all about that!

Thanks again, don't know what I'd do without you all! Neck joint looks fine, think it's just because it's a budget upright. This is at least 20 years old, a brand of JHS who just import cheap Budget instruments and they are rarely set up to play without some work, right? The money saved will be spent later down the line getting it nice, which is where I'm at currently.

Thanks! Yeah, I realised as soon as I delved further into it that it might not be such an easy fix with a new bridge. Even sanding down the existing bridge is as much work as buying a new adjustable bridge but still having to do the same work. The only saving grace would be that I wouldn't ruin the existing bridge so might still give it a punt anyway if the worst outcome is losing £30 and a couple of hours. No grooves to speak of on the fingerboard, more or less cosmetic/maybe a millimetre difference and at this point, I can't really play upright bass as is and I don't yet have playable strings so that can wait 😅 The bridge is my main concern as I'm certain the strings shouldn't be that high and if I'm ever gonna get to grips with an upright, the damn thing needs to be playable. I mean, I'm never gonna be Paul Chambers but I'd like to at least be able to attempt 'So What' and feel somewhat in control rather than like I'm fighting metal snakes! I never wanted to sell it anyway, just wanted an idea of cost to restore vs buying one so with Jake's strings and maybe a £50 punt on shaping a new bridge, I'm hoping I'll have a playable bass before long!

I need to stop listening to the first thing I hear on YouTube vids 😅 Although it would appear I'd still need to shape and make string grooves with that option. Time to call in a favour from a carpenter friend!

Sound post is present and seems fine, action is ridiculous though! Any vids I find say 'adjust the wheels on the bridge'which I don't have... Any suggestions on how to make it more playable without dropping half a grand buying a new bridge ir having this reshaped? Also, it is a 3/4, i must have measured it wrong the first time.

Ah, that's so kind of you! I'm a fair way away though, near Kingston on Thames, but thanks anyway! Once I've got the strings Jake is so kindly sending me, I'll check all the other bits out and check all the info you've given me, you're all legends, thank you!

I did think something was missing

Thanks for all this! I have no idea what a soundpost is so off to Google I go! 😅 I mean, it plays and it sounds nice, it just doesn't feel nice right now because again, the strings are closer to barbed wire than they are bass strings. It doesn't look like it will need any reshaping, maybe some oil or something but don't know if that's worth it as it's painted... action seems quite extreme past the half so a read into bridge positioning will help but I assume repositioning will mess with intonation? Maybe it's just my weak electric bass hands, though. Thanks, all, for your help so far!

Thanks! I measured it and as far as I can tell it's a 4/4 which web advice suggests is for 5'9 and above but the nut is basically right on my eyebrow without the end pin. Just need to put something rubbery on the bottom to keep it still! As far as I can tell, I'm capable but the strings are gnarly AF so the real test will be when I have some strings that don't come with a side of tetanus.

I'll DM you, thanks!