I just wanted to give a shout out publicly here to Mr Tim Purcell of North Carolina who makes "Tim Purcell" banjo bridges here and is a member of the BHO. As many of you know, I had some issues regarding some buzzing with my new "Goodtime Classic Scooped neck banjo" that I bought from Elderly recently. I tightened the head quite a bit when I got back to Argentina, which remedied the problem somewhat but I could never get rid of that twangy "noisy" buzzing especially along the 5th fret and it was causing overtones when I played the banjo...just terrible.

Anyways the bridge arrived this afternoon here in Argentina ( which was a miracle in itself that it got here because the Argentine national mail service have all recently been on strike screaming for better wages! Anyways..the bridge arrived, I carefully set up the banjo..even raised my tailpiece slightly "wow what a difference a custom banjo bridge makes!"" I couldnt be more pleasantly surprised! There is no buzzing, and the banjo seems to have more clarity, sustain and volume...it doesnt even sound like the same instrument. Not to mention its just slightly taller so I almost barely notice any difference on the action. This bridge was custom made for me by Tim at a .656 size which was just slightly taller than my 5/8 stock bridge from Deering. The maple on this bridge was cut ( I believe ) Tim said from an old piano. The maple has kind of a darker tinge to it...it looks really nice and it has a nice ebony cap on it and Tim even compensated it for me on the "G" string. I really cant say enough..."Thank you Tim" I took a leap at some recommendations of others and I definately recommend Tims bridges to anyone. I am thinking about another bridge now for my Goodtime Crow banjo as well here soon! I can say I am definately a happy Purcell Banjo bridges customer!

As soon as I can get a picture of the bridge I will post it...and also make some recordings as well soon!

i concur! Tim made me an excellent bridge for my Vega white lady,great service,great product,i heartily reccomend him.

Thanks, Erik and Skip......Happy Pickin'

Tim

I also recently purchased 2 bridges from Tim.
Excellent quality & workmanship, great communications, ect.
Keep up the good work.

Thanks Tim


Tommy

Agreed. Tim AND his bridges are both top notch in my book. 

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Originally posted by chickenpickin

Thanks, Erik and Skip......Happy Pickin'

Tim

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No thank you Tim...it really is amazing what a new bridge can do! I have been reading everyone else comment about it..my wife also noticed the difference, so as soon as I can I want to get you to make me one for my Crow banjo...the crummy stock bridge that came from Deering is starting to sag in the middle already..although the head is pretty loose but I like that plunky tone.

Thanks again Tim!

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Originally posted by Kurt Kemp

Agreed. Tim AND his bridges are both top notch in my book. 

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HEY!!...Right here is the man responsible for that great old piano wood folks. Thanks Kurt, if it hadn't been for you my friend there would be no piano wood bridges.

Just for the record.....for those of you who have the original piano wood bridges...if you notice the initials on the bottom of the feet..K.K....that stands for Kurt Kemp....the original locater of this great bridge wood. Thanks Kurt, and I hope you're feeling better.

Tim

Edited by - chickenpickin on 02/03/2012 09:12:02

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Originally posted by erikforgod

quote:

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Originally posted by chickenpickin

Thanks, Erik and Skip......Happy Pickin'

Tim

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No thank you Tim...it really is amazing what a new bridge can do! I have been reading everyone else comment about it..my wife also noticed the difference, so as soon as I can I want to get you to make me one for my Crow banjo...the crummy stock bridge that came from Deering is starting to sag in the middle already..although the head is pretty loose but I like that plunky tone.

 

Thanks again Tim!

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Thank You, Erik....I'm happy it worked out.

Tim

I would also like to chime in as to the excellance of Tim's bridges. I recieved a piano wood and a red maple recently, and they both are outstanding to say the least.

Also, a heads up to Kurt for his generosity to Tim with the piano wood.

Thanks Tim

Jerry

I am doing well Tim, Thanks. Just weeks away from being 100% normal again.

I may have found another wood candidate too. Very old, consistently played, piano of good quality. I'll keep ya posted! :-)

Kurt keep cuttin up those old "pianers" for us banjo folks so that way we can get some more nifty banjer bridges from Tim and then we will all be much happier.....and save a sliver for the bridge for my other banjo ok?
Thanks Kurt!

quote:

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Originally posted by Kurt Kemp

I am doing well Tim, Thanks. Just weeks away from being 100% normal again.

 

I may have found another wood candidate too. Very old, consistently played, piano of good quality. I'll keep ya posted! :-)

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Good to hear!!..you're too young not to bounce back 100% ;- )

Seriously?........possibly some more "P" wood for the "P" bridges.........I won't be able to sleep tonight...lol..

Now that I have this higher bridge on this banjo I can get more attack out of it too. Especially on the low "D" string when I end a lick I like to hit it and get some more pop our of it...before I couldnt do that because it was buzzing so bad...now it rings nice and clear and the slides dont have that annoying sitar like "Taj-Ma-Jal effect going on LOL...
I actually loosened the head back down a bit too and I ma getting a little more mellower of a tone as well....definately very happy with this new bridge. Tim sometime this month I would like to get you to make me an exact copy of the bridge you just made for me but for a 5/8 size for my other banjo...are you up for it? So save me a sliver of that piano maple for bridge number 2! I would like to compensate it over the "G"G string also...definately a great idea, I am glad I agreed to do it.

quote:

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Originally posted by erikforgod

Now that I have this higher bridge on this banjo I can get more attack out of it too. Especially on the low "D" string when I end a lick I like to hit it and get some more pop our of it...before I couldnt do that because it was buzzing so bad...now it rings nice and clear and the slides dont have that annoying sitar like "Taj-Ma-Jal effect going on LOL...
I actually loosened the head back down a bit too and I ma getting a little more mellower of a tone as well....definately very happy with this new bridge. Tim sometime this month I would like to get you to make me an exact copy of the bridge you just made for me but for a 5/8 size for my other banjo...are you up for it? So save me a sliver of that piano maple for bridge number 2! I would like to compensate it over the "G"G string also...definately a great idea, I am glad I agreed to do it.

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I'll try and find a scrap piece that is big enough and that I can get the right grain orientation. I may have one sliver left. I'll email you and let you know.

Tim

Tim sent me 3 bridges to try out. I presently have a piano maple bridge on a Recording King RK75 Elite. It had a Scott Zimmerman Z Bridge Elite on it, and I was hesitant to remove it because it sounded so good.

The Purcell bridge was immediately obvious that it was going to be great. It was clear and loud and bridge...but with a rapid decay which helped the RK because it had a lot of sustain. After 24 hrs, it was even better...super powerful, and very very even all the way up and down the neck.

I can't say enough good things about these bridges. I'm pretty finicky about bridges, given I make Beaver King Bridges, and can taylor make any bridge I want. Right now, the Tim Purcell bridge is the bridge of choice for the RK. It is just awesome. I'm trying to post an mp3 clip, but I 'm having tech issues.

Next...a '33 Gibson 4 flathead.

Edited by - lazyarcher on 02/04/2012 16:32:10

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Originally posted by lazyarcher

Tim sent me 3 bridges to try out. I presently have a piano maple bridge on a Recording King RK75 Elite. It had a Scott Zimmerman Z Bridge Elite on it, and I was hesitant to remove it because it sounded so good.

The Purcell bridge was immediately obvious that it was going to be great. It was clear and loud and bridge...but with a rapid decay which helped the RK because it had a lot of sustain. After 24 hrs, it was even better...super powerful, and very very even all the way up and down the neck.

I can't say enough good things about these bridges. I'm pretty finicky about bridges, given I make Beaver King Bridges, and can taylor make any bridge I want. Right now, the Tim Purcell bridge is the bridge of choice for the RK. It is just awesome. I'm trying to post an mp3 clip, but I 'm having tech issues.

Next...a '33 Gibson 4 flathead.

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Thanks Dave, I'm glad it worked out for one of your banjos. I just got through trying another piano bridge. While examining this old Milton 1918 sound board, I found sandwiched between the spruce sound board and the pin block was a 1 1/2" thick by 8" hard maple board. I past it up when I first tore into the piano because I thought it was Sycamore like the rest of it..(except for the handles). It has really nice straight growth lines and the two bridges I just finished have 5 to 7 growth lines. It's very dense and it sounds awesome! It's actually louder than the original piano wood bridge I've been playing. I'll try to post some pics of it.

Dave, the problem I had with uploading a sound file turned out to be my Noscript software. It was blocking the Hangout site and wouldn't let me upload. I'm not to computer savy but I think it has something to do with Java script.

Tim

quote:

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Originally posted by chickenpickin

quote:

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Originally posted by lazyarcher

Tim sent me 3 bridges to try out. I presently have a piano maple bridge on a Recording King RK75 Elite. It had a Scott Zimmerman Z Bridge Elite on it, and I was hesitant to remove it because it sounded so good.

The Purcell bridge was immediately obvious that it was going to be great. It was clear and loud and bridge...but with a rapid decay which helped the RK because it had a lot of sustain. After 24 hrs, it was even better...super powerful, and very very even all the way up and down the neck.

I can't say enough good things about these bridges. I'm pretty finicky about bridges, given I make Beaver King Bridges, and can taylor make any bridge I want. Right now, the Tim Purcell bridge is the bridge of choice for the RK. It is just awesome. I'm trying to post an mp3 clip, but I 'm having tech issues.

Next...a '33 Gibson 4 flathead.

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Thanks Dave, I'm glad it worked out for one of your banjos. I just got through trying another piano bridge. While examining this old Milton 1918 sound board, I found sandwiched between the spruce sound board and the pin block was a 1 1/2" thick by 8" hard maple board. I past it up when I first tore into the piano because I thought it was Sycamore like the rest of it..(except for the handles). It has really nice straight growth lines and the two bridges I just finished have 5 to 7 growth lines. It's very dense and it sounds awesome! It's actually louder than the original piano wood bridge I've been playing. I'll try to post some pics of it.

Dave, the problem I had with uploading a sound file turned out to be my Noscript software. It was blocking the Hangout site and wouldn't let me upload. I'm not to computer savy but I think it has something to do with Java script.

Tim

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lookin forward to seeing the pics...I cant imagine louder than the bridge I have from you already is...as soon as I can I want to order another one but in a standard 5/8 size.

Here are some pics from the old 1918 Milton. This is the top piece of frame work that the sound board, framing, and pin block are glued together as. This first pic shows the hard maple I found in between the Sycamore, which is the darker, wider board at the top and the plywood, which I have already split apart, at the bottom of the pic. There was a long block of Sycamore which was glued over the top of this, which is why I didn't notice in the beginning of the tear down. Yeah...it's a lot of work to get it out, but the tone from this wood is worth it!

that tone is what I am after...I am ready to move forward with bridge number2

I just ordered 3 more from Tim...lol.I think that makes me about 10....I don't want to run out i guess...lol.

Tim--Love your pics--Got my bridge today!!! I put a few comments on you Flint Hill Special post earlier. Love my banjo!

Tim do you do any set up work on Banjos in the Asheville area?

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Originally posted by smokymtn

Tim do you do any set up work on Banjos in the Asheville area?

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Yes I do, Doug. Just shoot me an email if you need to talk to me more about that. Do you ever go to pickin' in the park in Canton?

Tim

Here are some pics of some bridge blanks from the pin block of a Milton 1918 upright piano.

It is some really nice fairly straight and even grain. Sorry for the poor lighting. This is hard maple, BTW.....

You can click on each pic to enlarge for better detail...

Edited by - chickenpickin on 02/08/2012 20:00:48

I got my submerged birch a couple days ago. It arrived promptly and is a fine piece of craftsmanship.

I'm new to this, and other than the stock bridge on my Goodtime, this Purcell is only I've tried. However, to my ears, I have gotten a nice improvement in tone.

I really appreciate the simple 'P' branding. Appearance does matter, and my preference is to avoid conspicuous wording and designs. This is also why I like the simple compensation pattern Tim uses--you get a bit of help with the 3rd string without compromising the traditional look.

That is some great looking wood and I look forward to kicking the tires on one!!