trad Brekke vs Loar copy bridge

[jim_n_virginia]

I have had a traditional Brekke bridge on my Flatiron F since I bought it. I took off the Brekke bridge and put on the Loar copy bridge (not the M-100 fatt-dad will try that out in a few days THANKS for the good deal!). It was the original bridge so I didn't have to fit it.

When I finally got her tuned up I could definitely hear a BIG difference.

As some may know the traditional Brekke bridge has a brass bar in it.

I didn't hear so much a difference in volume as I did in sound. The Brekke bridge had more distinct mid-tones while the the Loar copy bridge sounds brighter and more ... I can't explain it... more woof when you chop.

I'd be intersted in hearing any other opinions or experiences of others who have A/B'd the two types of bridges.

[Big Joe]

There is a reason we use the same basic bridge for the last eighty years. We have not found one that does the job as well as the original. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Glassweb]

I'm with Big Joe V on this one - the original Loar style adjustable Gibson bridge is tought to beat... especially when it's fitted, installed and placed properly. I bought a lovely 1926 Fern F5 last year that came with a replacement bridge as well as the original bridge, which was cracked and had a stripped post - unusable at that point. Well, the Fern sounded fantastic enough with the replacement, but one day I just got curious and walked down to Matt Umanov's here in NYC and had them restore the original bridge. When I finally got the bridge on the mandolin I was absolutely stunned - the presence, the BASS, the chop... all had awoken in a stunning improvement over the replacement bridge! Everyone who played my mando before and after were floored. It was really an ear-opening experience. And I can't stress enough how essential it is to have your bridge making the best possible contact with the soundboard - and placed so that the intonation is as close to perfect as possible. All these seemingly minor details can make a HUGE difference in the way your mandolin sounds and plays. Even if you have an inexpensive mandolin, do yourself and your instrument a favor and have her set up correctly with a well made, Loar - style bridge. Cumberland Acoustic makes superb copies, as do others.

[Ken Berner]

Glassweb, Great comments and a neat story. You are so correct about proper fit as well as well as placement of the bridge. I recently noticed that my bottom E string was closer to the edge of the fretboard than my top G string was. This led me to eyeball the foot of the bridge on the treble side and it was no longer flush with the top. After moving the bridge a tad toward the bass side and retuning, there was an improvement in the tone. I am convinced that correct fit and placement are critical for optimum tone from your instrument!