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| Shapes of bridges? http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=17374 |
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Wed May 28, 2008 10:36 am ] |
| Post subject: | Shapes of bridges? |
What is the impact of different shapes of bridges? I am thinking about starting with a typical stock Martin style bridge and reducing its width to approximately that of a pyramid bridge (on an OM). ...Perhaps angle the ends somewhat. Should I be careful not to reduce the width or length too much? Does the mass of the bridge effect the tone (I guess it does to some degree...)? Any thoughts or comments...? 
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| Author: | Mike Collins [ Wed May 28, 2008 1:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shapes of bridges? |
The bridge is the last top BRACE you put to a guitartop! It's weight ,length ,width(if excessive) will have allot to do with the final sound! Your idea of reducing a standard Martin bridge is fine! NOT to small!! Just make sure you have enough of a glue joint (bridge-top) for steel string pull!!!! Mike ![[:Y:]](./images/smilies/smiley20.gif "Thumbs Up")
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| Author: | David R White [ Wed May 28, 2008 2:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shapes of bridges? |
The bridge design has to take a lot into account, as Mike has noted. You need a good footprint for gluing. The bridge is a significant part of the instrument's tone. Changing its weight, stiffness or footprint is going to affect the tone. My suggestion would be to stick with a standard design and make changes for a specific reason with a particular goal in mind. |
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Wed May 28, 2008 2:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shapes of bridges? |
Thanks Mike, You see a lot of various shapes on bridges and some that are kinda wierd.  I believe some of the Breedloves have an odd shape (my opinion...). I would assume that for an OM, as long as the bridge is at least no smaller than a pyramid style it would work okay... I'm not quite at the point of making my own bridge, but I thought I could modify a stock bridge (to some degree) and give it my own artistic flair...
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| Author: | sdsollod [ Wed May 28, 2008 2:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shapes of bridges? |
David, What goals do you refer to? ...and how could you modify it to reach those goals...? |
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| Author: | David R White [ Wed May 28, 2008 2:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shapes of bridges? |
Steve, I would consider myself an early intermediate builder, working on my second handful of guitars. On this topic I have heard different builders with more experience than I give differing opinions. I think this is due to the fact that a certain builder's style may have adapted to and hence requires say a lighter bridge and a different builder's style may have adapted to something which requires a heavier bridge. Ask those two builders what happens when you add a few grams to a bridge and they will give you two different opinions. If you want to learn, the bridge is an easy item to change out - build a guitar with one bridge, listen to it then swap the bridge with another. My personal (limited) experience is that a bridge made out of heavy high dampening wood like ebony will sound round, bassy and full. A similar sized bridge made out of rosewood (and hence a few grams lighter) will sound crisper and more responsive. |
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| Author: | Michael Dale Payne [ Wed May 28, 2008 3:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Shapes of bridges? |
Be sure your design has the bridge wings crossing both halfs of the X-brace and beyound by 3/8" of so |
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