Bridge Brands - What are the real differences?

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by ctregan

Have you ever had contact with Neville Whitehead?

Briefly, yes. He makes everything bar the strings ...

[David Potts]

When dropping off my bow for a rehair I walked in on Harry having a get-together with his old retired luthier friends so I asked for their wisdom. Probably the best response was from Harry who concluded that the bridge has a big effect on the tone of the bass, being made of a tone wood that resonates. He pointed to the fact that even a light mute has a very big effect on tone. Without any science his comments were tending to support Ken's summation above.

Thanks for all your help, guys. The muddy waters are more clear now.

DP

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by David Potts

The muddy waters are more clear now.

So David ... what shape bridge are you going to go for?

[sXeMike]

I made this one a couple of years ago out of 3/4" lexan. I cut it out with a scroll saw so it was a little rough. I've had it on 3 different basses and it affected each one different.

I started with it on my King. It didn't changed the sound enough to notice a difference. There wasn't any point in having it so I took it off.

It's on my 56 kay now. It made a noticeable difference with this one. It made it a little louder but got rid of the dead Kay thump and gave it more pronounced, even tone.

I've cut a couple more out with a cnc router. They're more of a traditional shape but with 1/2" lexan.

I'm not a luthier and know very little about luthierie.(is that even a word?) I was going for the less mass approach with this one.



I want to try a few different shapes just to see if it makes a difference. Just so you orchestra don't burn up my email and Pms asking, I'm not selling them....yet.

[Matthew Tucker]

How do you fit the feet? With a hot knife?

[Jake deVilliers]

Band saw, files, scraper, just like wood - you won't be cutting acrylic with a hot knife!

Its a cool look........like ice, baby.

[toman]

Originally Posted by sXeMike

I want to try a few different shapes just to see if it makes a difference. Just so you orchestra don't burn up my email and Pms asking, I'm not selling them....yet.

I gots a million... too... easy...

[sXeMike]

Originally Posted by Matthew Tucker

How do you fit the feet? With a hot knife?

Just like wood. You have to go a little slower. If you cut it too fast it "welds" itself back together.

You can cheat a little. Once you get the feet close you can use epoxy to get them exact. There's some stuff called solarez that's made for fixing surfboards. It's completely clear. If you cover the top of the bass with seran wrap and coat the feel with this stuff it will fit perfect. Someone on rockabillybass.com came up with the idea to fit a bulletproof bridge. I tried it but ended up just fitting it the right way.