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Bridge Spec Question

Discussion in 'Setup & Repair [DB]' started by jimclark68, Sep 18, 2001.

  1. Sep 18, 2001 #1
    jimclark68

    jimclark68

    Dec 16, 2000
    Morganton, NC
    I'm learning about working on my bridge to lower the action. I have the string height where I want, but what should the width of the bridge be along the top where the strings rest?
     
  2. Sep 18, 2001 #2
    mpm

    mpm Guest

    May 10, 2001
    Los Angeles
    thin...and "half-rounded" towards you.
     
  3. Sep 19, 2001 #3
    Bijoux

    Bijoux

    Aug 13, 2001
    Denver-CO-USA
    my bridge is not so thin, in fact is quite thick, what would be the problem with that? Thank you.
     
  4. Oct 5, 2001 #4
    reedo35

    reedo35

    Jul 29, 2000
    Colorado Springs CO
    The problem with that is, if it is too thick at the top, it will inhibit the vibrations of the strings and adversely affect your tone and volume.
     
  5. Oct 5, 2001 #5
    jimclark68

    jimclark68

    Dec 16, 2000
    Morganton, NC
    Reedo - that's sort of what I was thinking would be the case. I assume that there is a sweet spot in terms of width. I have worked mine to 7/64" along the very top.
     
  6. Oct 5, 2001 #6
    Don Higdon

    Don Higdon In Memoriam

    Dec 11, 1999
    Princeton Junction, NJ
    Your 7/64" is less than 3 mm. David Gage, a prominent NYC luthier, recommends no less than 5 mm. When fitting a bridge, he starts at 6-7 mm and adjusts according to sound, with the 5mm limit.
     
  7. Oct 5, 2001 #7
    reedo35

    reedo35

    Jul 29, 2000
    Colorado Springs CO
    Yes, there are definite maximums and minimums. Too thin, and the Bridge could warp or cracrack. Too thick, And you will lose Tone and volume.
    What Don said is Exactly what Gage told me when he worked on my Bridge.
     
  8. Oct 6, 2001 #8
    Don Higdon

    Don Higdon In Memoriam

    Dec 11, 1999
    Princeton Junction, NJ
    I just checked four bridges made by Arnold Schnitzer. They're all 4mm. That's apparently his standard. He has a large number of major clients, and I'm sure that if 4mm presented a problem, he'd know about it. Nevertheless, 7/64 is less than 3mm.
     
  9. Oct 7, 2001 #9
    jimclark68

    jimclark68

    Dec 16, 2000
    Morganton, NC
    Thank you, Don, for your fact-finding. Although the top of my bridge is 7/64", it is beveled so that the bottom of the string is resting on a little more surface than the top edge of the bridge, so I may be a little closer to the ballpark. I'll be sure future adjustments take into account the figures you found.