[freddyfingers]

Hi all. Most of us are aware of the improvement that a compton bridge can make on our arch tops. is anyone aware of a wooden bridge that will do a similar improvement? i am considering replacing the wood rosewood compensated bridge that came with my Eastman, for an ebony one, found on their higher end models. and I thought I would ask around here first. Where would one get one, if the manufacturer won't sell them.

[tartanphantom]

Stewmac.com sells an ebony wooden bridge. I would think that the harder wood might improve sustain and string energy transfer-- probably enhance the highs just a wee bit.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,...ar_Bridge.html

[freddyfingers]

Thanks. They are at about 18, other sites i found are 22 to 28. Should I be concerned that the new base won't match my guitar arch?

[Synchro]

Sadowsky guitars makes wooden bridges in two varieties, one for a wound third string and one for a solid third string.

[tartanphantom]

Originally Posted by freddyfingers

Thanks. They are at about 18, other sites i found are 22 to 28. Should I be concerned that the new base won't match my guitar arch?

That is easily remedied. As a matter of fact, most bases need to be fitted to the specific guitar top anyway. all you need is to apply a piece of sandpaper or emery cloth to the top of the guitar (scratchy side up, of course) and carefully rub the bridge across it to make it conform to the guitar top's contour.

Stewmac also makes a jig for this, but the jig is not really necessary if you pay attention to what you are doing-- here are some basic instructions:

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Jigs...st=3&xsr=59023

[freddyfingers]

Originally Posted by tartanphantom

That is easily remedied. As a matter of fact, most bases need to be fitted to the specific guitar top anyway. all you need is to apply a piece of sandpaper or emery cloth to the top of the guitar (scratchy side up, of course) and carefully rub the bridge across it to make it conform to the guitar top's contour.

Stewmac also makes a jig for this, but the jig is not really necessary if you pay attention to what you are doing-- here are some basic instructions:

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Jigs...st=3&xsr=59023

Thanks. i saw that. Would hate to scratch up my guitar. Wonder if I can just put the bridge on my old base, but that would also lower the likely hood of improving the sound.

[GentleBen]

You shouldn't have a problem with scratching your guitar as long as you turn the sandpaper the right way.

When you order a Compton you specify the neck radius. I don't know if you can do that with a wood bridge.

[polishbroadcast]

Originally Posted by freddyfingers

Hi all. Most of us are aware of the improvement that a compton bridge can make on our arch tops. is anyone aware of a wooden bridge that will do a similar improvement? i am considering replacing the wood rosewood compensated bridge that came with my Eastman, for an ebony one, found on their higher end models. and I thought I would ask around here first. Where would one get one, if the manufacturer won't sell them.

What are you trying to improve?

IMO the difference between rosewood and ebony will be negligible. You will hear more change in differences of strings, bracing, top wood types, how humid it is that day, what kind of pick you use, etc. I doubt very highly you will hear much difference going from rosewood to ebony. Keep in mind that if you do switch to ebony you will need to shape the bridge base to match the curve of your guitar top.

I own a gorgeous Eastman and have played many others: they are incredible guitars. My oval hole archtop is my best sounding acoustic instrument. I love it.

[freddyfingers]

Originally Posted by polishbroadcast

What are you trying to improve?

IMO the difference between rosewood and ebony will be negligible. You will hear more change in differences of strings, bracing, top wood types, how humid it is that day, what kind of pick you use, etc. I doubt very highly you will hear much difference going from rosewood to ebony. Keep in mind that if you do switch to ebony you will need to shape the bridge base to match the curve of your guitar top.

I own a gorgeous Eastman and have played many others: they are incredible guitars. My oval hole archtop is my best sounding acoustic instrument. I love it.

when i first put a compton on my ex 5129, the sound difference was dramatic. So I was wondering if such a transformation could happen with different woods on an arch top. So, I don't know for sure, what i am hoping to gain, which is why i posted here. My eastman, their least expensive, is rosewood based. I noticed all their higher end models are ebony. Assumed their was a difference, not only in price, but sound. Am I wrong? Guess I am doing the upgrade thing like people do to their 5120's.

[freddyfingers]

Originally Posted by Synchro

Sadowsky guitars makes wooden bridges in two varieties, one for a wound third string and one for a solid third string.

I just looked these guys up. I will measure my post spacing to see where it is at. The string width is correct, mine is 2 3/32 Allthough this is more costly than buying another bridge and base, it seems easier than attempting to sand a base down. Just trying to make heads or tails as to whether it will warm up my sound any. With the laminate top, acoustically it a bit tinny. Fortunately, my intonation is dead on, so I would be getting this for a sound/sustain improvement. For what its worth, I got the thomas sticks 11's on, with the wound G.

[polishbroadcast]

Originally Posted by freddyfingers

when i first put a compton on my ex 5129, the sound difference was dramatic. So I was wondering if such a transformation could happen with different woods on an arch top. So, I don't know for sure, what i am hoping to gain, which is why i posted here. My eastman, their least expensive, is rosewood based. I noticed all their higher end models are ebony. Assumed their was a difference, not only in price, but sound. Am I wrong? Guess I am doing the upgrade thing like people do to their 5120's.

I can't say for sure but the shift to a Compton seems mainly a change of mass which would affect sound. While ebony is a little more rigid than rosewood, both are pretty hard woods. If you are looking for dramatic, i don't think a wood bridge change is it. Different strings or a proper setup with a good nut would be more dramatic. But it's a $20 part and an afternoon of labor, so if it would satisfy your curiosity, why not?

Concerning the use ebony in the higher-end Eastmans: how flamey a wood is, or how much binding a guitar has contributes as much to the sound as gold hardware. Structurally, a 810 is the same as a 910, you are just paying for the fanciness. There is nothing wrong with that (how a guitar looks is very important to how you feel about it) but the extra $$ isn't going towards a better sound. In fact, depending on the particular piece of wood, who carved it, and how the planets were aligned, an 8XX could sound better than a 9XX.

[freddyfingers]

Originally Posted by polishbroadcast

I can't say for sure but the shift to a Compton seems mainly a change of mass which would affect sound. While ebony is a little more rigid than rosewood, both are pretty hard woods. If you are looking for dramatic, i don't think a wood bridge change is it. Different strings or a proper setup with a good nut would be more dramatic. But it's a $20 part and an afternoon of labor, so if it would satisfy your curiosity, why not?

Concerning the use ebony in the higher-end Eastmans: how flamey a wood is, or how much binding a guitar has contributes as much to the sound as gold hardware. Structurally, a 810 is the same as a 910, you are just paying for the fanciness. There is nothing wrong with that (how a guitar looks is very important to how you feel about it) but the extra $$ isn't going towards a better sound. In fact, depending on the particular piece of wood, who carved it, and how the planets were aligned, an 8XX could sound better than a 9XX.

but not as tinny as an 371 I hear ya. Just feeling out my options. A high end eastman, or even a 175 would be nice, but hard to convince the family that we should forgo insurance for another guitar.