strings on aluminum bridge

knockoutpie · #1 02-09-2010, 04:31 PM

I bought an aluminum bridge off of ebay and it sounds great. It's perfect for what I need it for. Any way it gives the bass a bit more twang in the string. I'm not 100 percent sure what strings I have but I know that they are strictly jazz strings and they have red on the ends. I like their sound but I'm not sure if it is what I need with an aluminum bridge. any suggestions on what strings would give a nice thick sound when played with fingers and bow. I like the loose tension but it does not need to stay that way. And I'm using a fishman pick up if that affects the string out come at all.

Fletcher Lanning · #2 02-09-2010, 08:41 PM

Red on both ends is probably Spirocore mittels. If you have an aluminum bridge, you're probably going to have a hard time getting a super warm sound out of your strings. Maybe try some synthetic cores. Maybe even a darker string like an Evah Pirazzi.

Wallyphonic · #3 02-10-2010, 02:15 AM

Which fishman pickup are you using, and how are you mounting it on an aluminum bridge?

knockoutpie · #4 02-10-2010, 10:16 PM

The strings I have are spirocore mittels. I like the way they sound. I just wonder if something would sound better. The main problem with them is that where they sit on the bridge the string stretches and you can see the core of the e and a string. The pickup is mounted well. I have some pictures. I did some home work before I replaced the bridge and installed the pick up. If you notice anything I did wrong or anything that might help please let me know.

I used the wood feet from my original bridge to mount the pick up. I couldn't find much help so this is my own design. I think it works well. The main thing was making sure that the holes where the feet are suppose to screw in were the same thread as my pick up adjusters.

**Francois Blais** · #5 02-11-2010, 08:33 AM

Make sure the grooves are very well rounded, and put some soft graphite on. (I keep a 8B pencil for that)

Jake deVilliers · #6 02-11-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francois Blais

Make sure the grooves are very well rounded, and put some soft graphite on. (I keep a 8B pencil for that)

What he said.

It looks like your bridge has flat-topped grooves. The string grooves need to have an arc as they go over the bridge top from the tailpiece toward the nut.
That will make your strings happier.

knockoutpie · #7 02-11-2010, 06:42 PM

thank you very much. I will try that.