Recommended replacement bridge for tc octave

[MandoCincy]

Hi all,

It seems to me that I saw conversations on replacing the bridge on a Trinity College Octave Mando sometime back. But now that I actually have one of these instruments I can't find the threads.

Anyone have a recommendation? I'd like to replace the standard bridge with something that is adjustable so I could get rid of G string fret buzz while still leaving the action nice and low on the upper strings.

Thanks in advance -

Jay Wheeler

[zoukboy]

Anyone have a recommendation? I'd like to replace the standard bridge with something that is adjustable so I could get rid of G string fret buzz while still leaving the action nice and low on the upper strings.
Jay,

If it were me I'd have a one piece bridge of ebony or rosewood made for the instrument. It will sound better than an adjustable and a good tech can set the action of each individual string just how you like.

[steve V. johnson]

Jay,

I believe it was "Groveland" who put a TC octave thru a full upgrade process, bridge, tailpiece, nut and perhaps more... #I don't recall all the details, but I do know that the bridge was among the upgrades. #I was hoping that he'd chime in on this, but until he chooses to do so keep searching the archives...
That was a very cool thread.

Otherwise, I think that the TCs come with a plastic nut, so until you find out about the bridge, a nice new bone nut, which can be cut and installed by any good guitar/mando tech, might cure your buzz.

In my experience, new TCs -really- need a good setup. #The tend to be all over the place, with all their bits not quite in full agreement...

Waiting for Groveland... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

stv

[trevor]

Not Groveland but I can confirm that they need a good set up. Generally they are barely playable straight out of the box.

[Bob Wiegers]

my repair guy said the nut on my TC (purchased about this time last year) was made of fish bone, so we left it. mine was a bit better than "barely playable" but it did have some intonation issues with the stock bridge. so I'm very glad I replaced the bridge with a maple one from Red http://www.murphymethod.com/redbridge.html

as for searching for old posts, on the search page, make sure you check the "older" box at the bottom and you should get some results.

[groveland]

It was a TC zouk: Improving the TC sound... (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=16;t=40745;hl=grovel)

[steve V. johnson]

Thank you, G!

stv