Made a bridge support system based upon the JLD Bridge Doctor. I made a modification that should give even better support under the saddle. The JLD seems to be about 3/4" to 1" wide and supports the center area under the saddle. On mine I made the section under the saddle about the same width as the saddle itself and then angled it down to apprx. 1" wide in the center. I've uploaded several pictures on my homepage. The inserts for the screws are metal and imbedded in solid mahogany. The next step will be the installation with hopefully good results.
16 Comments |
 | Grizz says:
5/3/2012 7:43:19 PM
Well, nothing i like better than to see an innovator. Good luck Jack. Let us know how this works out for sure.
Mike
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x says:
5/3/2012 9:16:09 PM
Great work. Looking forward to hearing abut your results.
tc
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 | jmb3450 says:
5/4/2012 5:07:38 AM
Jack, thanks for posting the pics. I don't know why but I didn't think of making one myself. Since you're already ahead of me in this I'm going to wait for your results before doing anything with mine. One thing I'm curious about is whether the additional size/mass of the one you're making will affect tone/volume, although according to JLD their system doesn't hamper top vibration. I do like the idea of greater support under the saddle compared to the JLD version as I've read a couple stories of bridges cracking, possibly due to poor installation or adjustments made too quickly after installation.
On my Gold Tone there's already a round dot insert on the bridge where the bridge support would be screwed into so I could make a custom support like you are that would fit it perfectly, if I didn't like it for any reason I could take it out and as long as I'm careful no damage or visible evidence. Anyway, I anxiously await your results. :)
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 | jacknj says:
5/4/2012 7:32:47 AM
Regarding the adjustment issue, being that my Weissie is relatively new without any cracks or major bellying of the top, my intention is to bring the bridge support just snug to the top. I noticed that after I removed the strings, the top went back flat so the support should keep it stable . If I put the EJ42's on (.016 - .056) and notice some pulling up at the bridge area, I'll tighten the support to compensate for the extra tension.
As far as tone and volume, I'll have to wait and see.
Jack
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| jacknj says:
5/4/2012 6:31:22 PM
I've added a few more pics of the bridge support with the screws in place. The shaft that pushes against the tailblock was made of 3/8" x 3/8" cypress with a turned down end. Being that the metal screw would be pushing against a wood shaft, I felt that there might be some digging in of the screw into the wood, so I installed a metal screw at the end of the shaft. Now it would be metal against metal.
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| jacknj says:
5/6/2012 8:57:09 AM
Two final pictures uploaded after the bridge support installed. I found it quite difficult to actually place the support into position because, other than having large hands, due to the fact that I made the unit with a wider saddle support section, it barely fit between the top and back braces, but I did manage. The bottom of the support (see pictures) ended up about 1/16" above the back brace which I accounted for.
I put a set of EJ42's on (.016 -.056), tuned it to Open D and Open G (DGDGBD). I like the heavier gauges especially in the bass range. I'll let the guitar acclimate to the new strings and bridge support while I continue to play it. After the initial "break-in" period, I'll see how things progress with the overall tone and volume.
Any questions about the set-up, let me know.
Jack
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| jmb3450 says:
5/8/2012 8:32:13 AM
That looks good Jack, nice job. I guess another thing I'll do before trying mine is see how my hands fit into my guitar, large hands and skinny guitar. :) I look forward to hearing how it affects the sound. I'm still not sure if the small crack in mine is just in the finish or not but there appears to be some weakness where the 2 pieces of the top are joined just behind the bridge, gotta take care of that so it doesn't become anything more.
From the pictures you took it looks like the wood grain in the support you made is at 90 degrees to the guitar top, is that correct? Thanks.
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| jacknj says:
5/8/2012 8:47:50 AM
Jim , yes the grain runs vertically, perpendicular to the top. I've tuned the guitar to open G and have been playing it for three days now without any obvious deflection in the top. I know three days is not a lot of time, but at least the initial affect of the bridge support has been positive.
The tone and volume seem a little better, but part of that is probably due to the heavier string gauges. I really like the low end.
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| Grizz says:
5/8/2012 9:51:15 AM
Jack, sounds like you got a winner there. Kudos to you. So have you started a new "cottage" business? lmao
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| jacknj says:
5/8/2012 9:58:30 AM
Thanks, Grizz.
If all the import weissie owners sent me their guitars for modification, I could afford a well-built American made one.
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| Grizz says:
5/8/2012 12:52:07 PM
There ya go. You know I agree. Like Bear Creek. lol I hope all is going well with Bill. I haven't wanted to bother him or depress him so I haven't made contact, but I think I will soon. Now there are also excellent ones built in New Zealand, Canada, Australia and Europe.
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| jacknj says:
5/8/2012 1:46:53 PM
It was just an anti-China comment. I agree some really nice guitars are built outside the US
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| Grizz says:
5/8/2012 3:07:33 PM
I know Jack, I just wanted to make mention of Luthiers like Tony Francis, Paddy Bergin, Neil Russe. etc etc. You know me I am adamant about buying American but I certainly have no problem with non-asian products. Like you said china. lmao.
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| jacknj says:
5/14/2012 4:47:11 AM
After a week or so, I tightened the support a little more to put more vertical pressure on the bridge and saddle. It's as far as I'm going to go with the adjustment. Everything looks good and I've probably maximized the sound from this guitar. I have an old Harmony acoustic guitar that I set up for bottleneck style playing which also needs some help with the top, so I'll make another support for it. I'll post a picture or two of the Weissie.
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| Grizz says:
5/14/2012 7:45:35 AM
Sounds like you have a winner Jack. Very nice. I would like to see the photo when you get a chance.
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| jacknj says:
5/15/2012 11:27:23 AM
new pics uplaoded.
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