The smoothed edges are about the only thing you described that I can actually see, but maybe it's my monitor.
I can obviously see that the 2 are different, but I don't have my mando on me right now to be able to identify which one is stock, by comparison.
I appreciate your comments about how to do it with the strings on. One thing I'm confused about. If I tape off around the original bridge, in order to know where to put the new one, how will I sand to fit the new bridge? Won't the tape markings throw off the contour of the top, for the sanding, even if I put the sandpaper over top of them?
So the CA bridge is actually lighter? I thought the prevailing (but perhaps presumptuous) wisdom was that the CA bridge was heavier, denser ebony, and that that somehow makes a difference in the sound?
I'm still curious about the specific kind of ebony used in these, and if that is considered to be a factor in the perceived tonal improvement. I notice Steve hasn't chimed in on the thread again, so maybe it's a trade secret!
Let's hope it's not ebonized luthite! (kidding!)
I'd be perfectly willing to accept that tighter tolerances and more precise machining would be enough to make the difference everyone raves about, but it's good to separate the wheat from the chaff, as far as the truth is concerned.....especially when it comes to something as subjective and difficult to quantify as tone. I'm reminded of the Tonerite debate that rages on...
Our ears and minds can often easily be fooled, especially considering that nobody likes the feeling of buyer's remorse (not that $67 is THAT big of a deal, I'm speaking more in general terms here, when it comes to instruments and mods) so when we get that new mod or new instrument, naturally your brain expects it to sound better, and so it usually does.
I'm reminded of the guy who was saying that even his wife noticed that his brand new $5,000 mandolin sounded sooooo much better than his old $500 mandolin.
I asked him what I thought was an astute question....... Whether she had made that observation before or
after she learned it was a $5,000 mandolin.
He never answered....
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