Replacement bridges [Archive] - Mandolin Cafe Forum

Dave Weiss

Jan-15-2009, 7:55pm

I've got a Kentucky km505 and think I need to replace the bridge. It has an adjustable bridge that seems to be adjusted about as high as it will go. It looks to me as if the threaded rods are bending towards the fretboard. The base is solid against the top of the mandolin.
I've been looking around at replacement bridges and have noticed that there's the $10-$15 dollar variety and then there's the $50 variety. I don't mind spending a couple of extra bucks if there's a good reason to do it. Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

>>>===> Dave

MikeEdgerton

Jan-15-2009, 8:59pm

Give Steve at Cumberland Acoustics (http://www.cumberlandacoustic.com/) a call.

Ken Olmstead

Jan-15-2009, 10:25pm

Give Steve at Cumberland Acoustics (http://www.cumberlandacoustic.com/) a call.

Yes, I agree! I put a CA bridge on a KM1000 and it made a noticable sound improvement and is exacty adjustable as needed and very stable. He will ask you some measurements so have you mando and a ruler capable of measuring 1/16". Well worth it, and if for any reason it shows up and doesn't look like it is gonna work, Steve is a very reasonable guy and will work you through it.

Fretbear

Jan-15-2009, 11:36pm

I've been looking around at replacement bridges and have noticed that there's the $10-$15 dollar variety and then there's the $50 variety. I don't mind spending a couple of extra bucks if there's a good reason to do it.
There is. Good call to talk to Steve as his excellent bridges come in different heights and styles and he can hook you up. You will need to have it exactly fitted to your mandolin's top by someone who knows what they are doing but the rewards in terms of tone and volume are well worth that trouble. I liken Steve's bridges to microphones that accurately deliver whatever the particular mandolin top they are fitted to is capable of giving. You can keep the CA bridge for your next mandolin by switching them out if you upgrade as well.

Dave Weiss

Jan-16-2009, 7:56pm

Thanks guys, I'll be giving Steve a call.
Thanks again,

>>>===> Dave

BlueNote

Jan-17-2009, 8:20pm

Ben Wilcox of BRW Mandolins is now making and selling adjustable bridges. I have one on my Phoenix and it's amazing in quality and tone.

EdtheSquid

Jan-18-2009, 8:53am

What is the experience with a Brekke bridge? The tech at the 12th Fret suggested them when I mentioned a new bridge.

Look forward hearing from everyone.

Dave Greenspoon

Jan-18-2009, 9:54pm

I'm also considering a bridge replacement for my Rigel. I've heard about CA as well as Steve Smith for the Loar style, and have heard they are both excellent options. I understand the design thought behind the Brekke, but want a more "traditional Rigel look." (Yes, the irony is intentional) Besides Smith and CA, any thoughts out there for a quality Loar style replacement?

Emmitt Sanders

Jan-19-2009, 2:26pm

I just had Mark Ciganario ( in Fort Worth), put a Cumberland Accoustic
bridge on my Gibson Monroe Model Mandolin along with a bone nut and fret dress. What a clear difference it made.
You can get the Cumberland from Elderly or The Mandolin store for best price.
You will need to specify flat or radiused fretboard.

Emmitt

mandozilla

Jan-19-2009, 4:35pm

I wonder if any of you luthier types could tell me how I would determine whether I would need a Cumberland Acoustics "Tall Boy" or "Low Boy" bridge as a replacement on my F-5.

I'm sure it depends on neck angle, desired string height, and/or other. The bridge height is 15/16" from the mandolin top plate to the top of the bridge and the string height is 1/16" at 12th fret (top of fret to bottom of G string). It is a 12" radius bridge and the adjustment wheels are fully extended..

I'm ready to order one now but this piece is puzzling me. I've tried to contact Mr. Smith at Cumberland Acoustics but with my schedule I've been unsuccessful so far but I'll keep trying. If anybody can help I would really appreciate it.

Mark Evans :grin:

mandroid

Jan-19-2009, 4:51pm

I should talk to Steve about a black pickguard for My Mix A5 ,
I got the plastic and a jeweler's saw , but not the polishing
wheel and compound to polish up the edges

mandozilla

Jan-19-2009, 5:31pm

Dang! :disbelief:
Mr. Smith from Cumberland Acoustics PM'd me within a few minutes of my posting and I gave him the info he needed to answer my question. What service! I'm very impressed! Mandolin people are the BEST! I LOVE the Mandolin Cafe! I'm definately buying my new bridge from him as soon as he figures out if I need a tall boy or a low boy! :grin:

Thanks Steve and thanks Mandolin Cafe!

Mark Evans :mandosmiley:

roberto

Feb-01-2009, 2:13am

I've been thinking I should change the bridge of my Eastman 815 for a better tone. I'm between a Cumberland or the all-wood brekke bridge.
What do you think?

Big Joe

Feb-01-2009, 6:35am

The bridges on the Eastman mandolins are one of their weak spots. Like most pac rim makers, they use a bit less than the best to help achieve the price point they are trying to hit. If you put one of Steve's (Cumberland Acoustic) bridges on your mandolin you will be amazed at the difference it will make. The really important part of this is to ensure a really good fit. If it is not fit properly it will not achieve its potential. You will get much more from the CA bridge than the other option you mentioned. That is my opinion.

kirkwhitehead

Feb-01-2009, 10:00am

Steve Smith might be the best guy in the world to give money to. Super guy for sure. Everything that comes outta his shop is first rate.

kirk

roberto

Feb-01-2009, 4:08pm

Thanks a lot Big Joe. I think I'll buy a Cumberland.

roberto

Feb-18-2009, 3:31pm

I sent a mail to Steve Smith a week ago and no reply. :(

wadeyankey

Feb-18-2009, 3:49pm

Roberto,
If I recall it took Steve a little while to get back to me as well when I was ordering a bridge for my Summit. He's super busy, but you should hear from him. Maybe send him a reminder. Don't worry, it'll be worth the wait.

roberto

Feb-18-2009, 4:04pm

Thanks Wadeyankey. Sure I'll wait.:)

Steevarino

Feb-18-2009, 4:15pm

Hey Ho, Roberto...

I just sent you a PM ~!~

Steve Smith
www.CumberlandAcoustic.com
www.RedLineResophonics.com

Steevarino

Feb-18-2009, 5:41pm

All is well. I sent Roberto my e-mail address. He PM'd me that he had sent me an e-mail, and I didn't see it, so I sniffed around in my computer, and found it in my spam folder. No doubt that is what happened before, and I probably dumped his e-mail inadvertently with a bunch of other stuff in there.

Anyhoo, I just got back with him, and I think we are well on our way toward getting a bridge sent off to Roberto in Spain.

Steve

Ivan Kelsall

Feb-18-2009, 11:44pm

That's good point there Joe. But why would a maker want his instruments to go out sounding not as good as they can,if a few dollars extra,might make the difference between a sale & not ?.
I've never understood the reasoning behind making a really good instrument only to scrimp on the essentials like a good bridge & good strings to get it to sound as good as possible !,
Saska

Steevarino

Feb-22-2009, 4:03pm

I've never understood the reasoning behind making a really good instrument only to scrimp on the essentials like a good bridge & good strings to get it to sound as good as possible !,
Saska

That's a good point, but maybe hard to answer, as nobody seems to have takem a shot at it yet...

From my perspective, both as a wholesaler and retailer of mandolin bridges, I see it two ways. On the retail level, I have taken in a lot of business installing bridges on mandolins that came with lower quality bridges on them. I have also sold quite a few bridges to people that have either done the conversion themselves, or had their luthier do it. On the wholesale level, all I can really do is offer my products to a builder or company. The rest is up to them. They either take the bait, or they don't. Through the years, I have given several of my bridges away to a number of builders, as a way to start the relationship. To my recollection, nobody has sent one of these "sample" bridges back yet. Some became customers, and some didn't. Some didn't even say "thank you".

To me, it does seem to be an unwise place to scrimp, as the bridge does have so much to do with tone, playability, and intonation properties. I guess, in order to see the big picture, you would have to see how the added cost would skew their profitability. It would be my guess that not a lot of $$ goes into a good many of the (Pac Rim) imported mandolins we see on the market these days. Either that, or maybe they just don't get it...

yoshka

Feb-23-2009, 12:08am

I'd like to add my 2 cents to this thread and describe what I did recently.

I needed to replace a cracked bridge on my Michael Kelly mando. After reading old posts about one piece bridges verses adjustable bridges, I contacted Red Henry and ordered a plain maple one piece from him. Had an experienced luthier put it on (stained it and added compensation too) and man, what a difference in tone! Fantastic!

It's another way to go.
Yossi

roberto

Feb-27-2009, 6:52am