A couple of new bridges

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 5:01 am

I just thought I would post these two bridges I made from Brazilian
rosewood yesterday. The first one is for the SJ that is currently
hanging in my shop for a month waiting to be rubbed out.
The 2nd is a bit smaller for the L-00 I'm starting...

Thanks fer looking,

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 6:41 am

Lovely lines to those bridges Dave. Do you slot before installing on the guitar or after?

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Thu Nov 15, 2007 8:09 am

I like to slot the bridge after its glued on Allen. I rout the slot with the Stew-Mac jig and dremel.

Bob Connor · Post by **Bob Connor** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:21 am

Nice lines on those bridges Dave.

I fixed those other posts for you too.

Bob

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 12:37 pm

Thanks Bob, i appreciate that

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:06 pm

Beautiful bridges Dave!

You know I just read something the other day on the OLF that was news to me. Some builders, some of the better known builders, take the treble side down perhaps 1/16" inch or so since the saddle will be lower on that side too.

This lets you have more saddle exposed for a better visual balance AND delays the need for some neck resets a bit too. But most of all it increases the break angle on the treble strings making for better highs.

I have not tried this bu I am going to do it going forward. Where these bridges are right now Dave it would be a piece of cake to do this, just take the treble side down and hit the last 2-3 holes on the treble side with the counter sync tool just a tad.

My CNCed bridges I am going to modify to incorporate this thinking too.

Beautiful work and the BRW should be killer.

BillyT · Post by **BillyT** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:45 pm

Clean! Beautiful wood!

Is that a radius board your sanding on?

Serge · Post by **Serge** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 4:18 am

Nice work bud, keep on truckin'!

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:29 am

Hesh, I have been thinking about doing that since it was discussed on the OLF. It sounds like a good idea to me! Since the treble strings are thinner, it makes sense to lower that side just a bit. The only problem , these bridges are at my final thickness (11/32) now. I don't know if I want to take them down anymore. And I also need to stop by Harbour Freight and pick up a digital scale to start weighing things.
Thanks Bud....

Hey Billy, Yeah that sanding block under is radiused at 25' to match bridge bottom to spruce top....

Thanks Sergio ,I will do that.

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:37 am

I agree with what has been said already Dave, these bridges have classic lines and look great, just love that BRW, just wish it still grew on trees if you know what I mean. Anyhow, well done, you have done the wood justice.

Cheers

Kim

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 12:31 pm

Hey Dave buddy I found this pic in my L-OO file of a reproduction of a L-OO bridge in which the luthier has taken the treble side down. Thought you might find it interesting.

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 1:40 pm

Thanks a lot Kim. Yeah, Real nice Brw is hard to find these days, I like the pieces with spider webbing black lines like that 2nd bridge.
And thanks for that shot Hesh.I see how he lowered the treble side.More than I thought.That crazing looks cool too! I do like that on the older guitars-It gives it soul .

Ron Wisdom · Post by **Ron Wisdom** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 2:40 pm

I've tapered all of my bridges, Hesh.

Ron

Hesh1956 · Post by **Hesh1956** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:04 am

Ron you have me convinced to taper mine too. How much of a taper are you doing - it looks like about 1/16" on the treble side?

Thanks buddy!

Ron Wisdom · Post by **Ron Wisdom** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:31 am

Yep, pretty close to 1/16".

Ron

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:13 am

Nice bridges Dave .I like their lines.

I've always assumed everyone lowers the treble side of their bridges.

The first two books I studied ( C. & N. , and the Jim Williams book) have these specs.

As the first string is around 1/32 " closer to the fretboard ( at fret No.12), lower the treble side of the bridge 1/16" . This gives an equal amount of saddle showing above the bridge . It also makes the bass side of the bridge ever so slightly heavier ( a good thing ! )

Cheers, Craig

Dave Anderson · Post by **Dave Anderson** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:49 am

Thanks Craig, this is how I have been doing it. the same radius as the fingerboard.....I'm changing to tapered bridges from now on.

Serge · Post by **Serge** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:04 pm

Cool tip Dave, thanks bro!

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A couple of new bridges

A couple of new bridges

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