DjangoBooks.com

Bridge specs

I recall following some dialog on bridges a while back, but I don't remember any specifics about the space between the feet of the bridge. Is there an optimum length for this arch, and for the height of the arch (the distance between the top of the gtr. and the bridge in this arch)? Also is the arch between the feet what is being refered by the use of the term "hollow", as in "hollow bridge" (I saw this on one builder's web site describing the bridge he sells)? Or does the term indicate that additional material is removed from the underside of the bridge? I'm replacing the factory bridge on a Gitane, which is much too low. The bridge appeared to be somewhat "hogged out" underneath.
Thanks for any responses,
musicofanatic
chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp...

Comments

  • Craig BumgarnerCraig Bumgarner Drayden, MarylandVirtuoso Bumgarner S/N 001
    Posts: 795
    I'm not a great expert, but I recently made my own bridge and I'll give these questions a shot.

    The length of the arch is pretty much driven by where the bridge lands on the short braces under the top which are there for the purpose of supporting the bridge. If you go by the old bridge, you should be okay. These braces are usually about 1/2" wide and on some bridges, the part outboard of the braces is also relieved (arched) a little also. Unless you built the guitar yourself, it can be hard to define exactly where these braces are, so using the old bridge as a guide is a good way to go.

    How deep should the arch be? I don't really know. The Saga bridges have a high arch, higher than any others I've seen. The other Selmer bridges I have seen have a lower arch, about 3mm. I'm not convinced that there is really anything wrong with the higher arch per se as long as the bridge is sufficiently rigid to support the strings.

    The "hollow" being refered to is the "hogged out" area under the bridge, not the arch.

    All this hollowing and arching is to lighten the bridge and make it more reponsive. The idea is to make the bridge rigid enough to support the strings, dense enough to transmit sound well, but light enough to be set in motion quickly. Hollowing and arching both work toward this direction by putting the mass in the most advantagious postion structurally.

    Craig
  • musicofanaticmusicofanatic Swingville✭✭✭
    Posts: 38
    Thanks, Craig. I appreciate your concise and informative response to my questions.
    musicofanatic
    chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp...
  • Josh HeggJosh Hegg Tacoma, WAModerator
    Posts: 622
    I don't have the place in front of me but I think according to the Selmer plans:

    Hight of Arch - 6mm (this is up to you. It really makes little difference)
    Channel - 7mm - I know this is the correct measurement

    Cheers
  • Craig BumgarnerCraig Bumgarner Drayden, MarylandVirtuoso Bumgarner S/N 001
    Posts: 795
    Josh & Musicofanatic:

    Got the Charle plans in my hands! 8) The plan dimensions both the hollow and the arch from the top. The depth (height?) of the hollow is 7mm from the top! (not the underside of the arch), the bottom of the arch is shown as 3mm off the deck.

    Craig
  • Josh HeggJosh Hegg Tacoma, WAModerator
    Posts: 622
    Will I was close.... not really but... All I know is that the hollow seems really deep when your doing it. I have played around with depth of the hollow and I think the deeper or the lighter the bridge the better he sound. Also I use some really hard rosewood. I got a bunch of ends from a local wood carving shop. Great stuff. some of the hardest wood I have worked. Not hard to work but hard. It really has a tone when you bounce it on the work bench. I nice ring to it.

    Cheers
Sign In or Register to comment.
Home  |  Forum  |  Blog  |  Contact  |  206-528-9873
The Premier Gypsy Jazz Marketplace
DjangoBooks.com
USD CAD GBP EUR AUD
USD CAD GBP EUR AUD
Banner Adverts
Sell Your Guitar
© 2024 DjangoBooks.com, all rights reserved worldwide.
Software: Kryptronic eCommerce, Copyright 1999-2024 Kryptronic, Inc. Exec Time: 0.014969 Seconds Memory Usage: 0.998657 Megabytes
Kryptronic