Bridge experiments with dense heavier design

bopster · May 2020

Due to cabin fever, along with a dose of dissatisfaction with guitar tone, I set out to create two bridges for 2 guitars. This first was a gypsy mystery, grande bouche that had a 7 1/2” long moustache bridge. It was not a hardwood, and it was a light color stained black.

For this one, I wanted better contact (it was total contact across the base), more energy transfer and this to sound like a 1930’s Selmer. I chose ebony, and not choosing any specific guidelines except those above, I came up with this:

Powerful, full tone, and gives me the sound I desired.

The second bridge, was for an Altamira M30 which had a replacement Dupont bridge. It looked more like rosewood, was hollowed out, and had feet dimensions that seemed to be like other well made guitars. The sound ended up being kind of dead after awhile, and I chose a Ziricote wood, dense, but less so than ebony. No hollowing, and wider feet.

This brought out a greater tightness, bright but yet not unbalanced.

After reading many of the posts on bridges and how design/weight/materials etc. affects tone, I was surprised at the sounds I was getting.

Anyone else have stories that seem to go against conventional wisdom?

Lango-Django · May 2020

Interesting!

I wonder if anyone has experimented with a carbon fibre bridge?

I have read that CF resonates more powerfully than just about any other material...?

scot · May 2020

Interesting, yes. About 10 years ago I made several ultra-lightweight ebony bridges for a Favino I had where I cut away all the wood I thought I could get away with and still retain structural integrity. I went so far as to hollow out the feet with a dremel and removed wood from below the "saddle" - both horizontal and vertically. I wanted to "air out" the tone I was getting with the regular bridge. I liked the results and used that bridge the rest of the time I had the guitar. Surely others have tried making experimental bridges - let's hear about it.

Bones · May 2020

Hey Will I've always thought light and stiff as possible is best in general so I would think a CF bridge would work well.

Buco · May 2020

Paul, did you use hand tools only? How long did it take you per bridge? I have several kinds of woods that will someday become bridges...

So your vintage mystery sounded pretty good already, you like it even better?

Great work!

bopster · May 2020

@Buco - yep. Rasp, files and sanding bits on my drill. It took about 3 evenings of work, for each, shaping and fitting it to the body. I do like the sound of both guitars better. I’ll record and post something tomorrow.

Bones · May 2020

Hey Paul, what is the weight of the old and new bridges? Thx

bopster · May 2020

@Bones Jaw dropping difference:

Altamira:

Dupont bridge - 15g; mine - 25g

1940 grande bouche

original bridge - 7g; my bridge - 24g

Buco · May 2020

Wow, that's supposed to be heavy for a bridge! Sure is against the conventional wisdom. Did you do back and forth comparing? I believe your ears though, I've attested they're good quality ears!