Official Luthiers Forum!

What is the common thickness of a maple bridge plate on a dreadnaught? Right now it is .125
I checked in the archives and couldn't find anything on it. I have the top braced and this will be the last piece I have to glue in.

Thanks

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Chuck buddy I use about .090".

+1 to what Hesh said

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Reguards,

Ken H

Don't listen to Hesh. The correct thickness is .089 give or take .001.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Make that two for .089.

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David White, Toronto

"All my favourite singers can't sing."

I usually go with .100, sometimes .110

M

does everyone radius their bridge plates or just plop them in and let them conform to the radius dish? ive only done one (.090"), but i did not radius it.

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sweat the small stuff.

I tried a thick bridge plate (about .160) with a tall/thick bridge and it seemed to work OK (the top seems very stable). The bass notes were more accentuated...which was kind of what I expected since I figured I added more mass than stiffness...

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http://www.PeakeGuitars.com

I've seen many cracked & deteriorated plates in the last 30 + years.
Big repair job-not easy to do right!
thin ones go first!
I make mine of a .080 +.020 + .020 hardwoods with the grain 90 degrees to each other.
Never had a cracked one or a ripped apart one(caused by the string balls)
Also as the ladies say-size does matter!
mine are just bigger than the bridge-not large like I've seen on some guitars !
Just my thoughts on the subject!

Mike

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Mike Collins

Mike are you saying you "glue" them up ply style? That might solve most cracking issues, as well as radius sanding taking some stress off.

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Here is what a Parlor Guitar is for!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEa8PkjO6_I

I really appreciate all the replies. I thickness sanded it to .90 give or take a hair. John Hall drew a Martin pre-war bracing pattern for me. The bridge plate is maple and it's 46 mm wide. The sitka spruce top is .105"
I also didn’t radius it. I just now glued it in with hide glue. Would you advise I take it out and radius it?

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

No you're fine. Press on.

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John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

Thanks John

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"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Timely post. Can I use walnut off cuts for a bridge plate with the grain running the length (left to right once installed)? Thanks.

Ron M.

What's peoples views of adding as brass shim to the back of the bridge plate?

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Formerly JJH

I learn more from my mistakes than my successes