That's why I ask these questions, I seem to recall reading somewhere on tb that coated/tape wound didn't require the same grounding due to the nylon. If I'm wrong about this please correct me.
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Another stupid bridge question
- Thread starter Mickey666
- Start date
Kinda’ the other way around; coated &/or nylon wound strings can allow some noise because of no ground / continuity between the player and the metallic part of the string. That’s an issue to the point some who use coated or nylon wound strings use a wire clipped on the bridge and the other end of the wire tucked in their pants making contact with their skin. I still don’t know if a string absolutely needs to be grounded to induce a current in a magnetic pickup winding. I’m thinking an ungrounded string WILL induce a current in the winding of a magnetic pickup, but the ungrounded bridge / string will definitely prevent the player from touching ground which usually reduces noise. The player could always wear a wire connected to the sleeve of the cord to their amp….
Wow, thanks for that. Guess I need to ask more questions.
Lotta good ideas/suggestions here, seems I need to do more research.
Luckily I'm still in the planning phase, so other than the body, nothing is set in stone.
if you get time-money-passion, you could imagine and innovate, create::
You might just achieve your own aims and discover people want the same thing. Could gain popularity 
I wear a hair elastic around my wrist with an alligator->copper wire->alligator->bridge.
The alligator is bit into the elastic and flush against my skin
meh for ostracism due to “some basses” pickup noise
What about using a conventional bridge and making a nice wooden cover like Fender did on some of their basses.
I made one for my cigar box guitar, but I used a left handed screw for the part the strings ride on. You could substitute a hardwood dowel. This was rudimentary wood working. Start with a too tall hunk of wood, drill a hole all the way though, saw down the middle of the hole, then bandsaw and sand to shape.
re: tapes and coated strings ~ a particular electronics setup can alleviate much of the noise that occurs from not grounding the strings. i've had very good luck with this using older passive bartolini and lace sensor pickups. i also had good luck using active emgs. shield the electronics well and you may not feel the need to ground the strings at all.
I had planned to do a build thread once I had everything together, but it seems I need to do a bunch more research.
To all the comments urging me to do it all myself... thanks for the good vibes, but at 63 with several age related issues, it's unlikely that I'll be able to do any of the more complex operations myself, hence the original question.
On the off chance that I'm able to find/make the components, a detailed thread will be forthcoming.
Being a hobbyist Luthier is excellent therapy for recovering from age and health problems. Many of us here on Luthier's Corner are in our '60's and have lost a few years getting our bodies repaired. Working with our brains and hands has helped us recover. We're back building basses with better attitudes.
Look at that bridge that Lark Z made. That's simple and effective. Try something like that as a starting point. Then experiment with more complicated versions. Make this bass a project specifically for experimenting with wooden bridges. See what you can dream up and build. The goal is the process of developing a good wooden bridge. And making your life more enjoyable.
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Yes, I agree, being in the same situation, and an incurable tinkerer and modder, but with a modest skillset and low expectations for the results, I do it for the enjoyment and the therapy, not the outcome, and it's still worthwhile.
Thanks for the kind words fellas, unfortunately my primary problem isn't going away or getting better anytime soon.
I have Cervicalgia, a degenerative disk disorder. Almost no cartilage left in my neck( I haven't played standing in almost 20 years), next stop will be surgery, a steel stabilizing plate screwed into my neck vertebrae... at which point I won't be able to turn or bend my neck at all. I've been putting that off till I have no choice.
That, combined with being a really adventurous youth have me kinda worn out.
I have Cervicalgia, a degenerative disk disorder. Almost no cartilage left in my neck( I haven't played standing in almost 20 years), next stop will be surgery, a steel stabilizing plate screwed into my neck vertebrae... at which point I won't be able to turn or bend my neck at all. I've been putting that off till I have no choice.
That, combined with being a really adventurous youth have me kinda worn out.
I'm sorry to hear that, truly. But that doesn't mean that you can't work with your hands and your mind, making things in a workshop. You can figure out how to adapt to it, if you have the will.
I had a bout with cancer and open heart surgery to put in a plastic valve. I'm 66. The Docs wanted me to just relax and settle into a couch, like a good old man. But I refused. I'm back in my shop, having fun with my machines. The recovery took a while, and I'm still not back to full speed and endurance. Probably never will get there, but I'm here enjoying it as much as I can. It's my life.
No, don't do that. Worst medical advice they could have given.
Good man. My motto: "use it or lose it".
Amen to that. And actually, likely to last longer doing it your way.
No, don't do that. Worst medical advice they could have given.
Good man. My motto: "use it or lose it".
Amen to that. And actually, likely to last longer doing it your way.
Well, they mainly didn't want me to be running big scary machines. Most of them tried to convince me to stay out of the shop and find something to do at a desk or on a couch. Yeah, right. That wasn't going to happen.
But I am very careful these days, evaluating my own condition, and judging whether it's safe for me to operate a big scary machine, by myself, late at night, in an underground shop. If I feel physically tired, mentally slow, or slow reactions, I stop. I won't put myself in a dangerous situation to finish somebody's parts on time.
The Doc's say I'm doing well, and my rebuilt heart should be good for 20+ years. And the new high-tech valve can actually be rebuilt again without having to cut me open. Right now, my future looks good as long as I eat well, exercise some, and don't push beyond my limits.
My father-in-law has several medical issues and I’m pretty sure the reason he’s still going is because he just keeps going. Don’t stop until there’s no other choice.
Yeah, like I said, I was a very adventurous youth.
35 years riding/racing vintage motorcycles... I've got my share of pins and screws, takes me an hour to get through TSA.
I may be crazy but I ain't stupid, I have enough balance problems and dizziness from meds keeps me well clear of most machines these days, especially the ones that can remove body parts...
35 years riding/racing vintage motorcycles... I've got my share of pins and screws, takes me an hour to get through TSA.
I may be crazy but I ain't stupid, I have enough balance problems and dizziness from meds keeps me well clear of most machines these days, especially the ones that can remove body parts...
Well, then, sit at a workbench and use machines that can only take off chunks of skin.....
I remember reading about a man who was an avid woodworker, and then lost his eyesight. But he had the will to keep going. He adapted his workshop so he could use most of his tools and machines, while blind! He figured out techniques. Amazing. He was using a drill press and even a bandsaw!
