twotoes - Posted - 02/04/2009:  18:30:29

I have a Trinity River, spyder cone reso. I have a new bridge and wondeer if anyone could describe changing it out. Needs notches also, can that be done w/a fret saw?

twotoes

jaykellogg - Posted - 02/04/2009:  19:13:16

I looked into making my own notches and a luthier's file set cost more than I felt I would ever save. For string one and two the notch needs to be the same depth as the thickness of the string and for three through six, the notch needs to be half the diameter of the string. I bought Beard ebony tipped bridges from Janet Davis and the notches were just right as far as size and spacing. If you get the notch a little too deep, you can always take some off the top of the bridge.

The bridge inserts should fit real tight in the spider bridge.

W. Jay Kellogg

Tom Jr. - Posted - 02/05/2009:  06:25:26

I put notches in mine with an old set of strings that are about a foot long with small wooden handles tied to each end. The strings cut the notches in nicely but it takes some elbow grease.

Don''t squat with your spurs on.

Mandojake - Posted - 02/06/2009:  01:46:04

Do youre self a favor and buy a set of fret files. I'ts not uncommon to go through bridges now and then and sometimes you can use the files for other instuments.

BoiDetroit - Posted - 02/07/2009:  19:26:21

Supergluing short lengths of old strings to a 1/4" dowels will make excellent files if you put a little valve grinding compound on them. Be careful when you cut the slots because the valve grinding compound makes them cut really fast. It's a trick that I learned from Danny Erlwine from Stewmac. Make sure the string is taught while gluing. I use a couple of spring clamps to hold the string taught while the glue sets. Use the liquid superglue not the thickened kind. The unwound string slots can be cut with reworked hacksaw blades.


-----------------------------------------------------
Pedals?
I got no pedals.
I don''t need no stinkin'' pedals!

GrayPlayer - Posted - 02/15/2009:  15:12:12

How about using an old string and.......nah, that wouldn't work. Shortened pieces of strings, stretched say, 6 inches apart over the new bridge, hit with a hammer to create a groove.

Fred

Mbradford6288 - Posted - 02/16/2009:  00:14:07

Speaking as a luthier...take it to a luthier. They can slot it for ya, shouldn't be too much dough, and it's a pretty important thing to have your bridge slotted right. All these other fixes are great, I especially like the string on the dowel, freakin great idea, but realistically, unless you really want to learn lutherie, how often are you going to be slotting some bridge inserts.