Bone bridge on A style

**mustache79** · Jul-05-2012, 5:20pm

I'm hoping someone here might be able to share some experience using a bone bridge on an A Style mandolin. Just curious how it might alter the sound compare to the common ebony bridge when it comes to volume and tone. Thanks

Found these on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/370507443177...84.m1438.l2649

**Folkmusician.com** · Jul-05-2012, 5:46pm

It should brighten it up..... For the most part, ebony is the way to go.

**norm351** · Jul-06-2012, 12:07am

Try it and see what you like, I've never tried it on an A, but I have on an F, but I went back to ebony, so I have to agree with Robert, ebony is the way to go, but you try it and see what you think.

**Ken** · Jul-06-2012, 4:12pm

A style or F style won't make any difference. I go along with the "try it and see if you like it" consensus. You'll never really know otherwise. I've tried bone bridges on several mandolins and thought they ended up sounding too bright, but I do have a bone insert on the e string of my current mandolin to try to brighten up that one string a little, and I also use a bone bridge on my mandola where I think the extra brightness helps.
Have fun

**Cheryl Watson** · Jul-06-2012, 5:31pm

I once tried a fossilized ivory bridge top on my former LaPlant mandolin and yes, it did make it brighter but it also sucked all the depth and character out of it. The ebony one went right back on.