Old Blue - Posted - 02/22/2009:  20:13:37

I bought the Ebony Capped, Vertical Grain bridge Saddle from Steverino's Cumberland music site. Steve was very helpful and encouraging when I tried to wimp out of the sanding and cutting that would be required to get it to fit in the #14 Spider on my 1990 OMI Hound Dog. He gave me tip or two that carried me through, with the extra-special encouragement that, should I mess it up, I could send it to him for a reasonable fitting.

I almost got it all right, until I strung it up and notice the"treble half" of the bridge sat a miniscule 1/64" or so to the outside. I'll just live with that until the next time I change strings. I notice it far more than anyone else ever will! (Like anyone else would even care...If they do notice I'll say its set-up "Dakota Style", or somthin' like that...making them feel kinda out of the loop by never having heard of that before.

Well, it sounds like a different instrument, now. Much brighter, and louder for sure...Now part of that is the bridge, part the fresh strings (GHS Phil Ledbetter's)...and part the result of cleaning the amazing amount of 19 year's accumulation of crud off the cone....its almost like I just plugged it into an small amp!...plus it was interesting exploring the innards, with four different handwritten ", dated sign-off's" inside.

Edited by - Old Blue on 02/22/2009 20:14:25

PeterJ - Posted - 02/23/2009:  08:22:39

Blue - I'm no expert, but your guitar seems to be missing the shiny round part in the middle...

I also have one of Steve's vertical grain bridges (on a Red Line Rambler Deluxe). I don't have a point of comparison, but I can say for sure that I get a full range, punchy tone with no effort -- it's bright and clear, but still has lots of warmth. From setting up banjos, I've seen and heard how much difference a bridge can make, so I suspect Steve is really on to something here.




Peter

"cogito ergo slide"

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