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My new bridge. (Pics)
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=12603		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Steve Saville [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:22 am ]
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I made my first 2 "real" bridges with my new design. I'm pretty happy, but they are a pain to polish, especially in the corners of the lower shelf.
These are Macassar Ebony, one with a layer of manzanita. The manzanita one is being a bit more trouble to polish. I think the adhesive is causing me some trouble.
I am using a Dremel felt wheel to try to get into that corner. Does anyone have any suggestions for polishing these problem areas?
Thanks!









http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a53/Slsaville/Oak%20guitar/ IM000277.jpg">


Author:  peterm [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:30 am ]
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Good job Steve!
Author:  Pwoolson [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:33 am ]
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Steve, I like them a lot. A couple of comments from my designer's eye, do with them what you want.
1) I think the two tone wood is a little much. It will likely bring the eye right to the bridge and prevent it from seeing the rest of the guitar as a whole.
2) I know this would alter your design a bit but it would also make polishing easier. If you look at the second photo down, it appears less shelf-like and more scooped. Similar to the traditional wings of a "normal" bridge, but rotated 90 degrees. Might be worth looking into.
Again, when it comes to my advice and opinions, you get what you pay for.
Great work!
Author:  Steve Saville [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:51 am ]
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Paul,
Thank you for your comments.

1) The manzanita layer was requested by the client. It has other manzanita appointments on it. Generally speaking, I agree with you, but on this guitar, I think it works.
2)That corner has a small radius. Are you suggesting a much larger radius? I used a router bit that I rounded the corner on. I was thinking of increasing that corner radius. It sounds like you are suggesting more than just an increase in radius, almost a scoop instead. (That would make it look a lot like another bridge and I was trying to avoid being that close.)
Author:  Bob Long [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:57 am ]
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I really like them, Steve. I think if the colorful layer is supporting other design elements like... HS overlay, rosette, and binding, the two tone bridge could be really nice.

The only thing I can think of for getting into the corners, is to sand blast it. ???

Long
Author:  JB Dickey [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 5:07 am ]
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Way 2 Go Steve, those are quite nice. 
Author:  WaddyThomson [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 5:31 am ]
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Really nice looking bridge, Steve.  Great lines.  Good, original design thinking, IMO. 
Author:  Barry Daniels [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:16 am ]
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Inside corners are such a pain to sand or polish.
Author:  Don Williams [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:53 am ]
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I agree with Paul. I was looking at it, and thinking you could still achieve that nice swirled look if you simply ramped up to the top profle, or used a bigger radius rather than running flat and into the curved ledge. If you left the intersection crisp rather than rounded, it might help to keep the look you're after.
Author:  Steve Saville [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:59 am ]
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Here is a shot of that bridge with the guitar.
Does that work better for anyone seeing it with the guitar?
The binding is manzanita and the back and sides are oak.

Author:  WaddyThomson [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:09 am ]
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It didn't bother me before, but that looks really awesome!  Great continuity of design.
Author:  JB Dickey [ Tue Jun 26, 2007 8:20 am ]
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Author:  Keith M [ Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:53 am ]
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I think if you changed the relative thickness of the wo woods to place the glue line on the vertical surface the polishing problem would be more like the solid bridge.
I like it but it does draw my eye to the bridge.
Nice design.
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:03 am ]
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The shelf concept is disturbing to my eye. I would much rather see a uniform transition from thinnest to thickest. I like the dual color but feel that the reveal as it transitions would be more dramatic. It also solves the polishing problem.
Author:  Wade Sylvester [ Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:14 am ]
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Maybe having less of a steep cut and more ramped would make it easyer to pollish also, but,
I like it alot and think it gives the instrument your own design signature.

Wade
Author:  Pwoolson [ Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:23 am ]
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Steve, you are right that I was initially thinking of a ramp look. However, if you went with a big radius, maybe 1/2 - 3/4" you could achieve your stepped look and still keep the transition smooth. It for sure will be easier to polish.
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