Results 1 to 17 of 17

Thread: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Somewhere south of Denver and north of Pueblo
    Posts
    56

    Default Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Paul at Cumberland Acoustics recommended the non-radiused bridge; Paul shared the story of his company, and we found common ground in Nashville and surrounds. I installed the bridge on my new-to-me Loar LM-600. Along with a general setup, scoop, and fret dress, the back of my mando is now tickling my belly button with its 50%-or-more better response, the sound is both more vibrant and louder, and the bark has increased to more than acceptable levels. The factory setup was a bit weak, and this setup with bridge brought a boldness and responsiveness to the sound. At a posters recommend, .012 PB and SS every other string, which really seems to work well.

    At least half the improvement I attribute to the CA Bridge. I note that the Loar top is apparently not as arched as some others, had to sand quite a bit off the outside of the feet to meet the arch of the bridge. I moderately scooped out the inside of both feet in the process.

    I hope to make a video comparison of factory versus the CA bridge and my setup.

    Cumberland Acoustic Mandolin Bridge for only the price of a good setup, absolutely the best investment I made.

  2. The following members say thank you to Bill Romansky for this post:


  3. #2
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Somewhere south of Denver and north of Pueblo
    Posts
    56

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Here’s the vid, against the 1st review with the factory bridge.


  4. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Helena, Montana
    Posts
    2,872

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Uh, where???

  5. #4
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Crockett, TX
    Posts
    1,058

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Would love to see that video..
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  6. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Somewhere south of Denver and north of Pueblo
    Posts
    56

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Quote Originally Posted by ccravens View Post
    Would love to see that video..
    Trying to figure out these new fangled machines to upload.
    I shouldn’t follow directions.
    The first review on the mando out of the box, no set up with factory bridge, second vid with the CA bridge.

    https://youtu.be/89_wDsyYuqQ
    https://youtu.be/l-kOU6Utgyw
    Last edited by Bill Romansky; Sep-14-2018 at 8:51am.

  7. The following members say thank you to Bill Romansky for this post:


  8. #6
    Mando-Afflicted lflngpicker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    2,239
    Blog Entries
    6

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Romansky View Post
    Trying to figure out these new fangled machines to upload.
    I shouldn’t follow directions.
    The first review on the mando out of the box, no set up with factory bridge, second vid with the CA bridge.

    https://youtu.be/89_wDsyYuqQ
    https://youtu.be/l-kOU6Utgyw
    That the Loar sounds so rich and full. Good playing and nicely written song.
    2014 BRW F5 #114
    2022 Kentucky KM 950 Master Model

    YouTube Original Recording of My composition "Closer Walk"

  9. The following members say thank you to lflngpicker for this post:


  10. #7
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Helena, Montana
    Posts
    2,872

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    The difference is amazing. The new bridge is a major improvement.

  11. The following members say thank you to George R. Lane for this post:


  12. #8

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    At a posters recommend, .012 PB and SS every other string, which really seems to work well.

    Bill,
    That tone is drool worthy. Would you mind naming the brand and gauge of both the phosphor bronze and stainless steel strings. I know you mentioned .012.
    Thanks

  13. #9
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Somewhere south of Denver and north of Pueblo
    Posts
    56

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    D’Addario, both sets. Thanks for the encouragement, I’ve almost forgotten how to play guitar the one week I’ve been feeling mando love. Last night I went to strip the back finish off, found a heck of a lot of nitro and poly which I used stripper on and scraped, underneath something like Behlens sander sealer, which I’m keeping so I don’t have to re-sunburst. The sander sealer looks real good, is fairly thin, and I’m thinking of just hitting with either spirit or oil varnish after I do the top. Just doing the back got me another 25%, mostly mellowing the brassy weak sound out of the bass and bringing lower-mid/bass volume up. I’ll YouTube when I get the top.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	366B9593-A3A2-492D-A11B-1376E9284DEB.jpg 
Views:	230 
Size:	735.8 KB 
ID:	171132   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	F58A1BAE-0D83-4E72-90C1-F2EFCEAA271F.jpg 
Views:	174 
Size:	606.6 KB 
ID:	171133  
    Last edited by Bill Romansky; Sep-15-2018 at 10:43am.

  14. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Bill Romansky For This Useful Post:


  15. #10
    Fingers of Concrete ccravens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Crockett, TX
    Posts
    1,058

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Thanks for the videos!

    I also love tinkering with Pac-Rim instruments to improve their tone. It's kinda fun, if you have some time.
    Chris Cravens

    Girouard A5
    Montana Flatiron A-Jr.
    Passernig Mandola
    Leo Posch D-18

  16. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to ccravens For This Useful Post:


  17. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Somewhere south of Denver and north of Pueblo
    Posts
    56

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Retired. What month are we in?

  18. #12
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    8,347
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Romansky View Post
    D’Addario, both sets. Thanks for the encouragement, I’ve almost forgotten how to play guitar the one week I’ve been feeling mando love. Last night I went to strip the back finish off, found a heck of a lot of nitro and poly which I used stripper on and scraped, underneath something like Behlens sander sealer, which I’m keeping so I don’t have to re-sunburst. The sander sealer looks real good, is fairly thin, and I’m thinking of just hitting with either spirit or oil varnish after I do the top. Just doing the back got me another 25%, mostly mellowing the brassy weak sound out of the bass and bringing lower-mid/bass volume up. I’ll YouTube when I get the top.
    Well you did not waste much time getting into it did you! LOL

    I might suggest just getting yourself a bottle of Tru-oil and then rub on a coat or two and then stop -- the tru-oil goes on in very thin coats if you wipe it right off after application.

    Looks like you rubbed it down to the wood in one spot though? Do you have any stains?
    Bernie
    ____
    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

  19. #13
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Somewhere south of Denver and north of Pueblo
    Posts
    56

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Thanks, Bernie. Yes, I have stains, I scraped through expecting to take it all off. Tru Oil, local gun store? I’m just doing 600 light buff on sides and neck, but removing the nitro and poly from the top as well. At one level, I’m glad I got a less expensive mando, fulfilling my fiddling-around dream.

  20. #14
    Certified! Bernie Daniel's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
    Posts
    8,347
    Blog Entries
    4

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Romansky View Post
    Thanks, Bernie. Yes, I have stains, I scraped through expecting to take it all off. Tru Oil, local gun store? I’m just doing 600 light buff on sides and neck, but removing the nitro and poly from the top as well. At one level, I’m glad I got a less expensive mando, fulfilling my fiddling-around dream.
    Your current situation -- taking it just about to the stain is a much better plan -- it would take you months of practice to duplicate that beautiful sunburst and no need.

    I think I bought Tru-Oil on eBay once -- not every hardware store carries it and in fact Rockler doesn't which is weird I think. I believe places like LMI might carry it? It is on Amazon too.
    Bernie
    ____
    Due to current budgetary restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off -- sorry about the inconvenience.

  21. #15
    Registered User treidm's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    U.S.A.
    Posts
    86

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Here's the Tru-Oil that is being mentioned..

    32 oz Tru-Oil on Amazon-Prime
    It's mostly Linseed Oil, like what's used with resin in oil-based varnish
    Do Ultra thin coats

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052PW1EQ/

    Steel Wool, 000 Extra Fine (Good for in between coats - 0000 available too)
    (Try to get oil-free steel wool)
    This process helps future coats bond together
    Should do at least every other coat

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JYTKCA/

    Final drying/curing time may be up to 7 days

    Like an oil-based varnish it is softer. If you want something harder and more protective, you could do a spirit varnish with Shellac or Seedlac

    Here's a pdf on finishing wood that might be informative for you..
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 10-Step-Guide-to-Wood-Finishing.pdf  
    Last edited by treidm; Sep-15-2018 at 11:09pm.
    2011 Black A5 (#9) Mandolin
    1952 Gibson A-40N Mandolin
    1924 Gibson TB-1 Trapdoor Tenor Banjo
    1975 Gibson MK-35 Hybrid Braced Dreadnought Guitar
    1993 Washburn M3 SW/TS F-Style Mandolin
    2004 Martin D-16 GT Dreadnought Guitar
    2006 Martin DC-16RGTE AURA Dreadnought Guitar
    1997 Seagull S6 Dreadnought Guitar
    1970's Kay KB-52 5-String Banjo
    1960's Pirles 4-String Tenor Banjo

  22. The following members say thank you to treidm for this post:


  23. #16
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    Somewhere south of Denver and north of Pueblo
    Posts
    56

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    Thanks, treidm, I have everything here ready to go, and your timeline is a real plus. Little Jeannie and I are headed east to Philly for a cheese steak, hoagie and pretzel the end of the month, and it’ll cure out when we’re away. I really appreciate the knowledge base everyone is so willing to share on Mandolin Cafe.
    Last edited by Bill Romansky; Sep-16-2018 at 8:52am.

  24. #17
    Registered User rowka's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Jax, FL
    Posts
    65

    Default Re: Cumberland Acoustic Bridge Review

    You can get The Tru-Oil in the sporting good section of Wal-Mart.

  25. The following members say thank you to rowka for this post:


Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •