Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on April 2, 2010 at 4:44pm

Well, my bridges are simple like a banjo. Not that they are as high or have open areas, but that they are a one piece. Many CBG bridges are simple one piece bridges - if only a bolt or a key (see Shane's old faithful Macanudo box). Josh Gayou makes bridges much like those on standard acoustics.

I don't notch them for the strings, but then again, I have in the past. I do on the nut tho. I find that the strings will rest just fine if you have the tailpiece (extended or some sort of metal fixture) with properly positioned holes.

Its not hard. I would experiment.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Sam Williams on April 2, 2010 at 5:57pm

Experimenting I go!

Wes Yates said:

Well, my bridges are simple like a banjo. Not that they are as high or have open areas, but that they are a one piece. Many CBG bridges are simple one piece bridges - if only a bolt or a key (see Shane's old faithful Macanudo box). Josh Gayou makes bridges much like those on standard acoustics.

I don't notch them for the strings, but then again, I have in the past. I do on the nut tho. I find that the strings will rest just fine if you have the tailpiece (extended or some sort of metal fixture) with properly positioned holes.

Its not hard. I would experiment.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on April 3, 2010 at 5:06am

I'm with Wes, experiment. I make mine from a piece of oak floor trim because I have it and haven't used it up yet. But I did try a few different materials in a test once and they all seemed to sound a little different.

Sam Williams said:

Experimenting I go!

Wes Yates said:

Well, my bridges are simple like a banjo. Not that they are as high or have open areas, but that they are a one piece. Many CBG bridges are simple one piece bridges - if only a bolt or a key (see Shane's old faithful Macanudo box). Josh Gayou makes bridges much like those on standard acoustics.

I don't notch them for the strings, but then again, I have in the past. I do on the nut tho. I find that the strings will rest just fine if you have the tailpiece (extended or some sort of metal fixture) with properly positioned holes.

Its not hard. I would experiment.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Craig Winkelmann on April 3, 2010 at 9:29am

I was at a Wood-Crap store last weekend and I noticed that the assortment of pen turning materials has exploded. I'm thinking of running a few of the acrylic blanks through a CNC for a couple of funky bridges.

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Permalink Reply by Duke T. on April 3, 2010 at 10:57am

Corian (solid surface counter top material) works, has a density similar to bone (or so I hear). Delrin would seem to me to be to soft - don't think the vibration would transfer as well as it would through something harder.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Williams on April 3, 2010 at 12:07pm

You are correct, it muted the sound. Made a "REAL THIN" oak base and used a # 8 bolt with the head cut off. Seems to work well.

Duke T. said:

Corian (solid surface counter top material) works, has a density similar to bone (or so I hear). Delrin would seem to me to be to soft - don't think the vibration would transfer as well as it would through something harder.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Williams on April 3, 2010 at 12:08pm

Next, I will try corian, thanks.

Sam Williams said:

You are correct, it muted the sound. Made a "REAL THIN" oak base and used a # 8 bolt with the head cut off. Seems to work well.

Duke T. said:

Corian (solid surface counter top material) works, has a density similar to bone (or so I hear). Delrin would seem to me to be to soft - don't think the vibration would transfer as well as it would through something harder.

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Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on April 3, 2010 at 8:01pm

So far, the best sounding bridge I have made was a very thin, wide oak base with a bone saddle on it. Much like a regular guitar. There is a reason the guitar manufacturers use the wood/bone saddle deal, it works.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Mungo Park on April 4, 2010 at 1:54am

Banjo makers make their bridges out of maple with a pice ov ebony on top. I have used just maple.
Also some believe the quatersawn grain pieces work the best. I think anything hard works well for a "brighter" sound.
Corian works well as the nut, same thing harder the better.
Cheers Ron.

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