bridge wood?

noodlenot · February 2012

besides the usual suspects (ebony, EIRW, brazilian RW) has anyone tried other woods for the bridge?
i´m asking because i´m thinking of building a new one and have at my disposal (besides the stated ones):
- kingwood (almost too beautiful...)
- macassar ebony
- cocobolo
- ziricote
- african blackwood
- madagascar rosewood
- pau ferro

i´m tempted by both kingwood (its looks are really striking) and african blackwood (really - i mean really - resonant and more conservative looking: a lustrous jet black), but the densities are kind of high - they´re both unsuitable for a classic guitar, but maybe for a selmer?

another question, does anyone know the typical/ best grain orientation for a selmer style bridge?

thanks in advance,
miguel.

Passacaglia · February 2012

Miguel, afraid I can't offer much, but find this an interesting topic. Your mention of African blackwood piqued me, because I used to play bagpipes, and my chanter was made out of this wood. Very cool you have access to these woods.

Following the thread...

Jazzaferri · February 2012

If you can get ahold of some try Honduran rosewood. Same wood they make vibes out of

noodlenot · February 2012

@jazzaferri: Honduran RW is a phenomenal tonewood indeed (actually used for marimbas and not vibes) - i have a back & sides set with amazing tight grain waiting to be used and the sustain of the tap-tone never ceases to amaze me.another option would be Amazon RW, a little lighter but also very "ringy".

@passacaglia: thanks! but remember it´s just bridge blanks... small stuff.if you need some info on sourcing these out, just PM me. African BW is indeed the wood of choice for woodwinds, but getting scarcer by the minute. bridge blanks are still easy to get, though.

cheers,
miguel.

Craig Bumgarner · February 2012

The nice thing about a bridge is it is small and as such, there are lots of sources for wood that would make good bridges, often in just the right sizes. Here is one with great pictures:

http://www.bellforestproducts.com/exotic-wood/

So many bridge options, so little time.

CB

Passacaglia · February 2012

noodlenot wrote:

@passacaglia: thanks! but remember it´s just bridge blanks... small stuff.if you need some info on sourcing these out, just PM me. African BW is indeed the wood of choice for woodwinds, but getting scarcer by the minute. bridge blanks are still easy to get, though.

cheers,
miguel.

Oh, thanks, Miguel - but nothing as gifted as that. I don't build, but just find this discussion interesting. Yep, I knew blackwood is getting scarce - when I played the pipes (long ago, now), even then so many makers working hard on substitutes, so can't imagine what it's like now.

You guys who build blow me away. My friend and neighbor is a luthier, just jammed the last couple of hours with him mainly on Caravan (& a few others), and his shop is replete with cellos and such in various states. Quite an art - kudos to all of you.

noodlenot · February 2012

well, i´m not a gifted builder... i have only a classical guitar under my belt and i´m rebuilding the back on it as it has broken due to poor humidity control (mea culpa) - but it´s very rewarding to build your own instrument.

Craig, thanks for the link - i was hoping you´d chime in. could you tell me what woods you´ve used so far for bridges?

thanks in advance,
miguel.

Craig Bumgarner · February 2012

I've used ebony and rosewood (Pau Ferro) which I have gotten from companies that sell small bits to wood turners. Ebony and rosewood are well proven and commonly used for bridges, but there is no reason not to try some other woods. Most any hardwood should work fairly well and because the Selmac bridge is not glued in place, it is easy to swap back and forth for testing or discard if it doesn't work out. The violin family of instruments use maple for instance and some banjos use aluminum for bridges. I want to try that figured Bubinga if they get it back in stock, that would look really cool. Or maybe some Snakewood. :idea:

noodlenot · February 2012

Thanks for the reply.

Craig Bumgarner wrote:

Most any hardwood should work fairly well and because the Selmac bridge is not glued in place, it is easy to swap back and forth for testing or discard if it doesn't work out.

That´s the thing that got me thinking...selmers are just perfect for testing bridge wood!

Craig Bumgarner wrote:

The violin family of instruments use maple for instance and some banjos use aluminum for bridges. I want to try that figured Bubinga if they get it back in stock, that would look really cool. Or maybe some Snakewood. :idea:

yeah, snakewood looks amazing! (heavy though...) never worked with bubinga but the guy i´m working with says it really puts a toll on the blades, so that puts me off...

i think i´ll start with madagascar rosewood: seems easy to carve, has the right density and rings like a bell. if it turns out well, maybe i´ll try one of the others.

cheers,
miguel.

Jazzaferri · February 2012

noodlenot wrote:

@jazzaferri: Honduran RW is a phenomenal tonewood indeed (actually used for marimbas and not vibes) - i have a back & sides set with amazing tight grain waiting to be used and the sustain of the tap-tone never ceases to amaze me.another option would be Amazon RW, a little lighter but also very "ringy".

:oops: :oops: gad I hate seniors moments. You are of course absolutely right

cheers,
miguel.