Bowlback Mandolin

[Markelberry]

Does anyone know where I can find replacement for turn of the century mandolin? I do not have the original. Maybe someone who makes these parts.

[bigbike4]

www.fqms.com has them as does stew-mac I believe. Not difficult to find at all and the folks as First Quality Music Sourse are real nice to deal with.

[Martin Jonas]

Bigbike4: are you sure that FQMS or Stew-Mac have bridge blanks suitable for vintage bowlbacks? On the FQMS web site, I can only see Gibson-type adjustable bridges for archtops. It's relatively straightforward to get generic flattop bridge blanks (Eldely stock them, for example), but these are usually maple or rosewood and even if one can get an ebony blank, they require extensive whittling down and customising before you can put them on an old bowlback. Bridge construction varies significantly between different makers, and a de Meglio bridge, for example, is rather different from a Vega bridge, which is rather different again from a Calace bridge. In effect, you're going to need to do a lot of handcarving or you will end up with an inappropriately-looking bridge.

Martin

[Markelberry]

I looked at first quality and did not see anything like what I had in mind for replacing the bridge on what I think is a George Bauer mandolin. Do I need a resonable fascsimle for someone to recreate this? The original bridge is lost so Im not sure where to start.

[Martin Jonas]

I don't know which type of bridge the Bauer would have had, but making a facsimile of a Vega bridge is probably not going to be too far off. Maybe you could do a search for other Bauer pictures to get an idea. For a pretty good overview of the different types of bridges common in bowlbacks, see this (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=6;t=23045) thread.

Martin

[Jim Garber]

I am also pretty sure that FQMS or Stew-Mac don't have these bridges, tho Stew-Mac does supply a compensated non-adjustable all ebony blank for its Campfire kit. I imagine it would be possible to get one of those.

International Luthier Supply (http://www.internationalluthiers.com/otherparts.php) lists one but it is backorder for some time (supposedly coming in any day now) and while it might work all right would not be resemble to original either.

Attached are photos of two bridges that were on mid- to upper-end Bauers on eBay. One of them is posiitoned backwards but I would go with that configuration. It is also similar to the aforementioned Vega bridge/saddles.

Jim

[Markelberry]

Thanks for the pics,as I dont do this type of work,can a novice try it or would you suggest someone already skilled in this field. Thanks Mark

[Jim Garber]

If you are an expert in model making or microsurgery or just feel like dealing with things on this level, go ahead. The worst that can happen is you mess it up. Otherwise, it will cost you something for a good luthier to make one, tho small these things would take some time. Otherwise, if you can find a "meantime" bridge to fool around with. I still can't get hold of International Luthiers to get my order together and am about to give up on them for those flattop bridges they purport to carry.

As I have mentioned on some thread, I just got a StewMac Campfire kit and it comes with a nice compensate ebony bridge blank. I am going to ask them to see if they would sell those separately.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

As I have mentioned on some thread, I just got a StewMac Campfire kit and it comes with a nice compensate ebony bridge blank. I am going to ask them to see if they would sell those separately.
I heard from Stew-Mac and they said they would not sell these bridge blanks separately. Perhaps if a few of us bombarded them with requests they might change their tune.

The power of the Order of the Bowl...

Jim

[labraid]

I'd be most interested in making you one of these bridges Markel, Jim's photos are enough to go off of, it'd be fun. I usually charge $65 for custom bridges. Any way you want it.

[Markelberry]

I would be most interested in having you make one,Im still waiting on the instrument I need it for. I will have to have some major repairs done to it first and then I would like to contact you for your help, thanks Markelberry