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I have a classical guitar I made that I am about to start the finishing process on. Back when I ordered all the materials for it I ordered an ebony bridge blank. Now I am having second thoughts about using ebony for a classical bridge, because it is so much heavier. What do you people think? Could it dampen the sound? Should I go to all the trouble of ordering a rwd bridge blank? I hate paying the shipping costs on an item that would only cost a couple of dollars. Any info is appreciated. I have a classical guitar I made that I am about to start the finishing process on. Back when I ordered all the materials for it I ordered an ebony bridge blank for it. Now I am having second thoughts about using ebony for a classical bridge, because it is so much heavier. What do you people think? Could it dampen the sound? Should I go to all the trouble of ordering a rwd bridge blank? I hate paying the shipping costs on an item that would only cost a couple of dollars. Any info is appreciated.

Order a Brazilian Rosewood bridge blank from allied (order a couple, you can use them for steel string guitars too)... at this point, the guitar is made and needs a bridge - you've already put the hard work in, so paying a few extra bucks to have a better sounding guitar is a good idea. If not, you'll always be wondering...

I saw a guitar by Geza Burghardt that had an ebony bridge, and it was very nice (he could probably make a good guitar out of anything), but I prefer BRW or even Madagascar Rosewood.

Best wishes,
Joshua

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

I don't feel the the extra weight of the ebony will end up hurting. The differace in weight between ebony and brw, both bridges being equal in all dimensions will not be much.

The weight is not necessarily the issue with the bridge. For the msot part, ebony does not make great bridges for classicals - especially compared to Brazilian. Brazilian Rosewood has, in my opinion, the most potential to produce good sound as a bridge. Its possible the characteristics of the ebony can suck up some of the sound, possibily even hurt the volume.

The bridge is very important, and you're gluing it to the soundboard, so I wouldn't consider this a good place to save a few days or a few bucks. Or even a good place to take a chance.

best wishes,
Joshua

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Instagram: @jfrenchluthier
Web: https://www.jfrenchguitars.com/

I agree with all that's been said. You're not putting as much energy into the top with those nylon strings. Steel strings can overcome inertia so much more easily. I'd go for the rosewood for sure. The one classical I made used an ebony bridge--at the customer's insistence--and I still regret it.

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I think the weight _will_ matter. Ebony is enough denser than RW that it would be noticable. Extra weight mostly cuts down on treble response, and that's what you're fighting for all the time on a Classical guitar. I only used black ebony once on a Classical bridge, and won't do it again. Macassar is less dense, and might work well.

Not just the weight that matters, Ebony has the lowest velocity transmission of sound waves of all the tonewood we use. This is small beer for the higher energies of steel strings but I would think could be important for nylons. I have only built steel string guitars so far and have only used ebony for bridge and fingerboard once, as I like the extra brightness that Brazilian adds. To mix metaphors, I know it's only icing on the cake, but why spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar?

ColinColin S38409.2231828704

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Thanks for the help guys! I think I will go ahead and order another bride blank. I don’t won’t to be wondering for the rest of my life.