View Full Version : New Bridge
I have a kentucky 380s and was looking to do a bit of upgrading. I have read of a lot of people going to an ebony bridge. What can I expect from the change? What about other bridges made of other woods. I play bluegrass and am looking for that nice chop sound. Any Ideas?
Thanks,
Toby
Darryl Wolfe
Nov-01-2004, 1:09pm
A new bridge from one of the various makers will not magically transform your mandolin. Invest that money in the very best setup for your mando, or save it until you graduate to another.
siren_20
Nov-01-2004, 9:14pm
A new bridge will certainly not transform a lower-quailty (no offense) mandolin, but replacing a rosewood bridge with a nicer ebony will certainly make a difference.
My first 'real' mando (the Kay didn't really count) was a '94 Washburn A5, and the bridge on it met an untimely end when it slipped out of my thirteen-year old hands. The rosewood saddle split and sagged in the middle (wondered for awhile why it was so out of tune). We fit a new bridge on it (wasn't that hard) and it sounded much better and kept tune much better.
You can get a decent ebony bridge for about $20 bucks (don't really need a Brekke or a Sullivan or a Steve Smith), and they're pretty easy to fit...check frets.com on how to do that.