5 string e-mando bridge

[Linda Binder]

Hi --I just tried to email the guy who makes tune-a-matic style electric mandolin bridges but the email bounced back. Does anyone know if those are still available anywhere? Thanks,
--Linda

[thistle3585]

Linda,
I responded to your email, but thought I'd follow up here for others benefit. You may be able to find a machine shop that could make you what you are looking for. You might also try international violin. There is a thread with a picture of their kit. Their kit uses that type of bridge. You might also try Saga direct, but Ken at Intl' Violin might be your best bet.
I can't remember where I saw it,the name Atkinson comes to mind, but I saw an ebony version of a tune-o-matic on an emando for sale either on the classifieds or on ebay. It was a great looking bridge. Maybe someone else can chime in with the builders info.

[Dfyngravity]

thistle3585, is this the picture you are talking about?

tune a matic bridge

its about a third the way down the page.

[thistle3585]

No, that isn't the one, but it was identical to that except that instead of chrome the entire piece, less the saddles, were ebony. I believe the saddles were a black graphite or such. Anyone know where Paul got that from? Also, there are several pictured in the eye cand section.

[Linda Binder]

Interesting bridges...I was thinking of the type that the strings attach to but maybe a design that uses a tailpiece would work as well--but then I'd need to get a tailpiece too. The existing bridge on the mandolin is an angled brass bar that the strings attach to. The intonation isn't good enough so I'm trying to come up with a solution that isn't horribly expensive--like having a custom compensated brass bridge made which I'm told would run about $300. I remember seeing a tune-o-matic style bridge several months ago in the classifieds that I'm kicking myself for not buying. I think it was all chrome and it was for a five string.
--Linda

[mrmando]

Linda, is this a Bacorn e-mando by any chance?

[Linda Binder]

yep.
--Linda

[Linda Binder]

mrmando, I see you have one as well. Have you had to tweak the intonation?
--Linda

[mrmando]

I had a new bridge custom made: ebony base with a fossilized ivory compensated saddle by Kurt Gisclair at Husky Acoustics in Alaska. Same shape/concept as the old brass bar, but better thought out. It wasn't cheap, but it works great.

Have you tried contacting Roger Bacorn? His more recent instruments have a straight bar instead of angled. Since he must know this was a flaw in his early design, maybe he can fix it for you. It's worth asking him.

[mrmando]

Here's a photo of my new bridge.

[Linda Binder]

Thanks for posting the bridge picture. I actually found someone locally who says he can possibly work with the existing bridge--flattening it, compensating it and raising it. I like the idea of having someone local work on it so I don't have to get involved in back and forth shipping in case I want it tweaked even more. I'll keep Husky Acoustics in mind in case this plan falls flat. The adventure continues...
--L.

[Linda Binder]

Here's a follow up on my electric. Garrett Burton at Classical Strings, Inc. in Milwaukee (ClassicalStringsinc.com), filed the existing brass bridge so that the contact point is closer--that was all the adjustment necessary to correct the intonation. He also made a really nice pick guard. The price was very reasonable, made even more reasonable because I work there part time. I'm not sure what the cost would be for the general public but I'm really happy with the work he did and heartily recommend him.
--Linda