What about a modified fender bridge ?

[catalin gramada]

I’d give up the intonation adjustment before height adjustment. The intonation will never vary for a given type of string.

(But personally I would not bother. I’ve often wanted less sustain, but never more.)

Thanks. Well...the intonation screw is not only an adjustment component on the bridge I figured. It is also a structure part (an anchor point) as it help the saddle to not tilt up. The resultant force by angle string front and back of saddle is in front of the saddle and not in saddle axle. That-s naturally push the saddle forward. It needs to be supported somehow to not tilt. That.s the reason even in acustical the saddle is supported in a groove in bridge and why on violin,for instance,is not necessary.

 

[micguy]

Hello. I just thinking for my new Precision build project to use a simplified version of Fender bridge. Meant if original transfer string resonances from 4 contact points ;( 1.string-saddle / 2. Saddle-screw/ 3.screw-plate / 4. Plate-bass top) to reduce this at only two contact points using just one piece saddle between string and top, without any hights adjustment. I may follow this just cutting four slots into the bridge plate and install four , say 4 tusq saddles in direct contact with the guitar top. May someone apreciate if this approach come with a benefit in respect with better resonance and sustain please ? A basic sketch was added. Thanks.

A string loses energy from air losses (which you can't do anything about) and losses at each end of the vibrating string - there is a common misconception about "coupling energy into the body" or your term of "coupling string resonances" - we are NOT trying to couple energy into the body - to achieve good sustain, you want the energy in the string to STAY in the string, NOT go into the body.

Now, about those two ends - one end of the string is anchored (we're not coupling, we're anchoring) to a big mass of wood by a lot of metal. The other end is anchored to a thinner piece of wood, using a thin strip of metal. If what you want is more sustain, you're looking in the wrong place - you're trying to fix the end that is already pretty well optimized. Anyone who's ever owned a Kramer lumie (aluminum neck) bass will recall the glorious, almost never ending sustain - even with a bent plate bridge, and all the fiddly bits you're focused on, the thing has gobs of sustain (much more than any wood neck bass). Why? Because Kramer worked on fixing the end of the string where the majority of the losses occur - the neck. Your current focus on improving bridge parts may technically improve sustain, but any improvements will be very small. A heavier, stiffer neck (a thick P neck or, even better, a thick 5 string neck) is the way to more sustain. Improving the bridge is an exercise doomed to ridiculously small success, if any success occurs at all.

 

[Beej]

You may want to check out a variety of bridges. There are various saddles, configurations, designs and materials.

 

[catalin gramada]

A string loses energy from air losses (which you can't do anything about) and losses at each end of the vibrating string - there is a common misconception about "coupling energy into the body" or your term of "coupling string resonances" - we are NOT trying to couple energy into the body - to achieve good sustain, you want the energy in the string to STAY in the string, NOT go into the body.

Now, about those two ends - one end of the string is anchored (we're not coupling, we're anchoring) to a big mass of wood by a lot of metal. The other end is anchored to a thinner piece of wood, using a thin strip of metal. If what you want is more sustain, you're looking in the wrong place - you're trying to fix the end that is already pretty well optimized. Anyone who's ever owned a Kramer lumie (aluminum neck) bass will recall the glorious, almost never ending sustain - even with a bent plate bridge, and all the fiddly bits you're focused on, the thing has gobs of sustain (much more than any wood neck bass). Why? Because Kramer worked on fixing the end of the string where the majority of the losses occur - the neck. Your current focus on improving bridge parts may technically improve sustain, but any improvements will be very small. A heavier, stiffer neck (a thick P neck or, even better, a thick 5 string neck) is the way to more sustain. Improving the bridge is an exercise doomed to ridiculously small success, if any success occurs at all.

Thanks. Well we have a kind of language barrier I think...sorry . I used to use anchoring talking by the boats,structures etc. and the term of coupling wherever talking by a transmission where any kind of impedance occur. But get you point. Anyhow, the original bridge seems is not perfect aso, it work welll for some and not for other, as many complains about different problems they have and change it.
But my concern regard not necessary how to get more or less sustain. But more how to manage it, as well as the harmonic content, using a certain way to couple the body and string...as much as the type of "anchors" used can do a difference please. Lots of good ideas here but have to start with the parts I already have.
I choosed to use a Fender bridge as is a Precision build, and second- is a good platform to get my simple mods. I may replace with a standard bridge in a second if not get results.( I collected different pieces of ebony, boxwood,hard maple, couple type of brass, bones and couple type of artificial bones to cut and test it for saddles)
...If it make a difference ? There are lots of videos on YT showing how which just changing a light groove to a larger one in saddle change the sound character...I cannot imagine changing the whole bridge structure, playing with different kind of saddle materials will not do... will see. My actual proposal is a more simple one as it use less elements and less contact points than original, I expect even a small modification to be more effective.Thanks.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I’d give up the intonation adjustment before height adjustment. The intonation will never vary for a given type of string.

(But personally I would not bother. I’ve often wanted less sustain, but never more.)

Yes, yes it does. I check my intonation periodically, and I almost always have to make a couple adjustments when I do.