Double Bass Laminated bridge?!

[Eric Jackson]

The Fall '03 issue of Double Bassist magazine contains a photograph of Rainer Zepperitz, retired principal of the Berlin Philharmonic, with a bass that appears to have a laminated bridge. No adjusters, just a black line that suggests it might be a sandwich of maple on both sides of an ebony core, of about 1/8" thickness.

I've never seen this before. Anyone have any experience with these? I'd guess it would be stiffer and more warp-resistant, I'm curious to know how it would affect the sound of the instrument. Brighter, maybe?

 

[toman]

I'd like to see this; I don't suppose there's any way you could scan the picture?

 

[Eric Jackson]

My home scanner is a temperamental Neanderthal, and I don't know the mechanics of posting a picture here, but I'll see what I can do.

 

[Bob Branstetter]

Eric, I'll save you the trouble. It does indeed appear to be laminated.

 

[Eric Jackson]

Thanks, Bob. Have you seen one of these before?

 

[Bob Branstetter]

I've seen some briges that were laminated before, but nothing like this particular one. From the photo, it appears to be very thin. It might be carbon fiber in the center. I don't think ebony would be a very good choice for this application.

 

[toman]

Interesting. Thanks for posting that pic, Bob.