Replace bridge on Octophone

[Brutus1999]

I have an Octophone. It's pretty neat. The bridge is not fixed and seems kind of low. Would it make any sense at all to try to get another bridge for it so as to maybe "tighten up" the sound a little, and space the strings a little further apart ....... or is that the kind of "improvement" that would require so many other modifications that it just ain't worth it? Anyone who knows about Octophones got any opinions?

[allenhopkins]

You'd need to get a new bridge made, perhaps slightly higher. Other modifications aren't necessary if you're satisfied with the string spacing at the nut.

Don't put any more tension on the neck and top (not quite sure what you mean by "tighten up the sound"). Very lightly built instrument, neck prone to warpage (happened with mine), small internal braces which won't take more string pressure.

Mine's been quite rebuilt, with a carbon fiber reinforcing bar in the neck and a new ebony fingerboard. It's also had the headstock cracked and repaired. I baby it because it was, after all, a cheapo instrument (sold for $15 new), and despite its attractive looks and sound, not particularly sturdy.

I have mine strung GDAE with the lower two courses in octaves, and it produces a lot of volume. But I'm always sensitive to the fact that it's fragile.

[Brutus1999]

In case you don't catch this same post on that other thread (shhh....don't tell the mods) ...

-- what strings are you using? I don't want to stress this thing out; it seems light. But I put GHS Irish Bouzouki mediums on it 11/11 16/16 28/11 40/16 (tuned GDAE) and the strings are very slack and buzz if I hit it with much force.

Do you think this can handle J 80's modified to 12/12 22/22 (wound) 32/16 46/19 (or 18 or whatever...). It would tighten up the strings a little and get rid of some of the buzzing but I really don't want to wreck this thing. It is in Excellent+ condition (some small scratches) having sat in my neighbor's closet for about sixty years........

thanks, b99

[allenhopkins]

In case you don't catch this same post on that other thread...

Caught it -- see elsewhere...

[thistle3585]

I bought an adjustable "low" bridge from Steve at Cumberland Acoustic for mine. It is the same one he uses on his Redline mandolins. It worked perfectly without any need to adjust the compensation.