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I've been up too late working on this.
The top isn't as smooth as I will make it.
Please give me feedback, good or bad.
Thanks!

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

I definitely see the Somogyi influence there Steve. Funny thing is I
drew up a new bridge plan that looks similar.

I like yours a lot. But sanding those inner curves may be a bear.

It's kinda cool.

Ok, here's a couple "form follows function" thoughts:

Functional stuff:
If it were me, I would drill those pin holes prior to angling that back surface, or you will need to use a forstner bit to cut them. An angled surface can also lead to reaming difficulties, as the reamer won't be evenly supported on all sides, giving it a tendency to tip a little. That's relatively minor compared to the first issue though, unless of course you're cutting this with a cnc...then none of that is a real issue at all.
Also, you're bridge pins won't sit evenly on that angle surface, which might look a bit odd.

Form stuff:
There's almost a Lowden-esque look to it also.

In spite of the minor functional issues I pointed out, I really like it. It's "different" from normal, with the sharp edges, as opposed to smooth curved surfaces, and yet retains some classic shape too. Very nice idea, and I think aesthetically it has a lot of appeal.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

I have seen that domed approach somewhere before... I like the design.

I am recooking my bridges too...

You're not going for the fat saddle?

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Steve, Very nice,very differant,I like it. If it were mine I think I would start the angle down behind the pins so they would have a level surface. Of course that would change the looks quite a bit. Very cool design

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I like it!

I really like it, design features neatly and beautifully controlled in an understated shaped bridge.

Looking forward to seeing it when it's made.

[QUOTE=BarryDaniels]I like yours a lot. But sanding those inner curves may be a bear.[/QUOTE]

Sanding those curves will be a bear but it will sure be worth it in the finished
product. Very cool!

One more thing...

The arch on the front leading edge - closest to the soundhole. With the forces on a bridge as they are, the natural tendency is to push the front of the bridge down, and lift the back of the bridge. You've created two points at those two outermost corners which will act as stress risers, and can create a cracking risk as the pivot will focus on those points.
Sorry if I appear to be over-anayizing this or being critical...it's not my intention.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Steve, nice new bridge design. I've been thinking of doing one too.

Barry brings up a good point...if the tips I mentioned that are stress riser points are located directly over the X-brace, there's not a problem, since the brace is supporting that point.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Really nice design. I agree with Hesh and others on the difficulty of making it. In two pieces it would be easy; rout the outside profil of the top and glue it on a base and then rout the base profile, then sand in the contours. Would it be feasible to file the shoulders of the bridge pins to a matching profile. Nah, way to much work.   

I think it looks like a pretty cool bridge. You get 10 points in my book for trying something unique!

It looks like you have it designed in CAD already...let me know if you're interested in having it CNC cut.

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

Steve, It looks great!
I don't think it that hard to make.... you can get a router with a pattern bit to cut the curves on the wings be fore shapping the bridge and then do the rest by hand.

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Looks great Steve!!!!

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Steve,

Aesthetically, it is very pretty. I like it.

Do you have a CNC that can carve this? I think carving the shape with all that contours might be challenging.

 

I think the only thing that might be a bit tricky is that slightly angled step. I can hit it with an 1/8" ball mill and get it pretty darn close...this would leave a 1/16" radius at the bottom...but that might not be a bad thing.

The rest of it doesn't look too bad. The upper surface is convex which is pretty easily done..and the lower surface is flat.

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

I had a heck of a time last night with this 3D CAD drawing. I haven't done that for about 6 years. What used to take me minutes took, well, a lot longer.   

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. I really do like to hear objection and/or problems. I think drilling the pin holes 90 to the top of the bridge is a good idea - thank you for the suggestion.

Parser, I'd love to talk about making this on CNC. It has been a long time sense I wrote code.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Steve,
   That is a beautiful bridge design. There are several very distinct things
about it that I like.

    First, the evenly dome shaped top profile is very visually appealing to
me and mechanically allows the profile and mass outised of the saddle
slot to remain and contribute its strength.

   Secondly, those relief cuts in the wings are really graceful and remove
alot of weight while still allowiing a nice broad footprint for glue surface
considerations.

    Finally, the tapered back section that will provide the landing for the
pin holes not only serves to give a great break over the saddle to the pins,
but again, makes a really striking visual contribution as it creates that
very cool line across the top at either side of the saddle land and also
alows the scalloped relief cuts to blend in nicely at the rear edge of the
bridge.

    Very graceful and artistic, but very technical looking as well....and both
are a real attraction to me as a builder and designer.

    Nice work and I'll look forward to seeing them as you make the first
ones and begin to refine your fabricating process on them.

Keep the great ideas coming,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

Kevin,
Thank you for you response and kind words. I hope to build my first prototype very soon.
I hope you are healing up well from your surgery.

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Steve, that bridge design looks very nice and cool, i love it too!

While it is not the style I like, it's very unique, and it does serve to be
different which will help recognition with your guitars. Congrats on trying
something off the beaten path!

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Steve,

You've got some interesting things going on visually there, but I think the vertical wing ends are fighting the double-curves action on the bottom edge of the bridge. To keep the flow going, I'd suggest a flair on the wing ends. Keep the front corners where they are, bring the back corners in toward the center line, and connect them with a bit of a radius (or you could bring the top corners outward, which would result in a slightly wider bridge). To give yourself a quick look at how it might turn out, print a straight-on view of the bridge as it is, and place an appropriately-sized washer (or coin) over the bottom points of the wings. Try different sizes of washer. See if you like it! BTW, circle radii are great design elements!

   I just decided to change my bridge design too.

   I don't want to hijack your thread but it is somewhat similar to yours!

Here's a CAD of what I intend to do!





   

   I think your design is Awesome/Cool/ich'in!! I really like the compound radius on the top and the contour relief detail! Very Very nice!!

    No! I'm not stealing it, but I'd like too!

    Thanks for posting! Two Thumbs Up!!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)