Vega Bowl Back Off Ebay

[smilnJackB]

I've had some interest in bowl backs and bought an old Vega on E-bay today for $52.00 with shipping. #It is missing the bridge and nut. #It may be a wall hanger, but there's hope it will be a player with the addition of the bridge. #
#Do you know anything about Vegas or the type of bridge I may need?
# Wall Hanger Jack #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Jim Garber]

There were a few variants in bridges for the Vegas. The top one I have pictured is for the mid to higher-end models, ones that had some fancier peearl inlay. The bottom one is from a simple style 208 bowlback. #I have also seen ones similar to the all ebony one with a bone insert. Also please note that unlike other vintage bowlbacks, Vega positioned their bridges on the tailpiece side of the cant (crease in the top).

If you can find a vintage bridge you will be lucky. Otherwise, you can get a reasonable working one with a synthetic insert at International Luthiers Supply (http://www.internationalluthiers.com/otherparts.php). You will still have to adjust it for the right string height. The other alternative is to make one yoursaelf form scratch.

Whatever you do string your Vega with ultralight strings. Inexpensive ones are the GHS A240s found at juststrings.com (http://www.juststrings.com/ghs-a240.html).

Good luck. Unless the mandolin needs serious work like nect resetting or the top is sunk beyond hope, you have one of the nicer brands of vintage American bwlbacks.

BTW the Classical area is one place to pose your questions on bowlback matters.

Jim

[smilnJackB]

Jim, Thanks so much. The International Luthier's Supply has things that I've been looking for. Much appreciated.
Jack

[Jim Garber]

I forgot to post that photo of the vintage bridges.

Jim

[Eugene]

Hey, I know that top bridge! The lower one looks Lyon & Healy-like.

Things like missing bridges and nuts might actually give one hope. This means it has spent less time under the tension of modern, bluegrass-appropriate strings.

[Jim Garber]

That bottom one might be a L&H bridge or else a repro replacement bridge. Hard to tell what is original on these things.

Jim

[smilnJackB]

That top bridge is a beauty. I have an adjustable bridge on hand, but think it will be too high, I may try to make my own simple bridge. I've made my own for home made dulcimers and a (not home made) guitar. Jack

[Jim Garber]

This was posted from another previous discussion on bowlback bridges.
I think it was either Richard W or Alex. Wheover it was, I hope he doesn't mind my reposting to help a fellow bowlbacker. I believe the units are inches.

Jim

[grsnovi]

That was my drawing of the bridge on my Vega Style 4

Dimensions are inches.

[smilnJackB]

Thanks. What good people and what a great web site. Jack

[Jim Garber]

Thanks, Gary. It is a great drawing and I hope to use it for doing some repro bridges. I hope it was okay to post it.

Jim

[grsnovi]

No problem...

I actually created a solid model of the bridge and the drawing only shows basic dimensions. I didn't bother to detail the grooves - which are purely decorative. I also did not detail dimension the curved incline/decline. At the time this original discussion came up it seemed the the question was one of height and width.

[smilnJackB]

The Vega came yesterday. I took the top off an adjustable bridge and strung it up with only 4 light strings as I did not have extra lights. It sounds pretty good. More repairs are needed (see a post in the repairs section if needed) , but I think it is a player. Thanks for your help.
Jack