Wooden bridge / Tailpieces (a la archtop guitars)

[christw]

I've been hunting and can't find any of these anywhere for bass. I've seen a couple on customs (Wendler Electrocoustics) and seen a couple on vintage, often hollow bodied basses but can't seem to locate any in production. I'd love to make them myself, but I have little experience and no tools.

Come to think of it, Ibanez has a couple on the Artcores... maybe I can yank one of them. Or just email Wendler. His stuff is cool, just not what I'm after. Too 60's / 70's Japanese in appearance.

[darkstorm]

Theyre hard to find cause they are very unpopular. They dont allow for the easy action adjustments and intonation adjustments that normal bridges have. With wood bridge like your talking about there is no adjusting action or intonation.

[christw]

I realize this. I'd want to put them on a natural fretless for aesthetic value. It's something I've wanted for a long time. Putting it on a fretless alleviates some of the intonation worry. I can use my ears. However, the action could be an issue. I'd probably use a shim for spacing if I needed to bump it up.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

If the Höfner/Hofner hardware will do, those are available as OEM as well as copies.

Regards
Sam

[JimmyM]

actually, the hofner bridge does allow for height adjustment. it's got little adjusting wheels in it similar to an upright bass.

you can also check with a luthier who makes acuostic guitars. they can almost certainly make you a bridge to your liking.

[Roy Vogt]

Check out the Hotwire Basses site. I have a fretless that has wood bridge pieces with brass inserts. I believe Bert has done several more fretlesses like this.
It's different than the old school trapeze style Hofner bridges.
http://www.hotwire-bass.de/index_en.htm

[Jimbob Jones]

You could get one like this (3040) and slot it yourself:


you literally just need a small triangle file to slot a bridge. (a round needle file is nice aswell, but not essential)

[christw]

Thanks guys