erikforgod - Posted - 02/02/2012:  17:07:20

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!

Edited by - erikforgod on 02/02/2012 17:08:52

skip sail - Posted - 02/02/2012:  17:12:14

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

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/03/2012:  04:50:47

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

Tim

TLG - Posted - 02/03/2012:  05:18:19

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

Thanks Tim


Tommy

Kurt Kemp - Posted - 02/03/2012:  08:51:43

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

erikforgod - Posted - 02/03/2012:  09:06:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by chickenpickin

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

Tim

---

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!

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/03/2012:  09:08:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kurt Kemp

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

---

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

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/03/2012:  09:10:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by erikforgod

quote:

---

Originally posted by chickenpickin

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

Tim

---

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!

---

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

Tim

skybolt - Posted - 02/03/2012:  10:23:31

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

Kurt Kemp - Posted - 02/03/2012:  11:30:55

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! :-)

erikforgod - Posted - 02/03/2012:  13:43:30

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!

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/03/2012:  13:43:51

quote:

---

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! :-)

---

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..

erikforgod - Posted - 02/04/2012:  07:18:26

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.

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/04/2012:  12:51:22

quote:

---

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.

---

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

lazyarcher - Posted - 02/04/2012:  16:31:27

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

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/04/2012:  18:39:53

quote:

---

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.

---

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

erikforgod - Posted - 02/05/2012:  04:58:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by chickenpickin

quote:

---

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.

---

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

---

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.

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/05/2012:  06:52:41

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!

erikforgod - Posted - 02/06/2012:  18:22:15

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

JSLONE - Posted - 02/06/2012:  18:55:25

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.

Hankon5 - Posted - 02/06/2012:  22:14:57

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

smokymtn - Posted - 02/08/2012:  19:05:41

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

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/08/2012:  19:31:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by smokymtn

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

---

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

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/08/2012:  19:59:23

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

Evan C - Posted - 02/08/2012:  22:27:07

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.

Kurt Kemp - Posted - 02/09/2012:  03:58:52

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

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/09/2012:  05:15:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by Evan C

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.

---

Thank you for the kind words, Evan. Glad you like the birch.

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/09/2012:  05:18:05

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kurt Kemp

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

---

You'll be getting one of these soon.......you might want to warn the neighbors first ..

Tim

mikezjr - Posted - 02/09/2012:  06:35:24

Wow! Over the years I've tried several bridges to find one that worked with all (5) my banjos: Emerson Power, Samson walnut, Moon, Scorpion, and finally settled on Scott's Vintage Elite because that bridge sounded well on all of 'em. So then here comes comments on the Purcell in the forum.  Well, for around $20 what the heck, so I thought I'd try a red maple one. It came in the mail Monday and I put it on my '29 TB3 conversion. A first it sounded as good as the Z bridge until I started to digging into it and boy did the banjo come alive. Gonna have to try it on my RK when Keeby sends me the thin skirt, and then the others. Go figure. My wife said that I should donate my bridge collection to  the instrument museum in Scottsdale. At least, she says, I don't hang around in bars.

dpeacock1 - Posted - 02/09/2012:  09:10:26

Tim,

Good talking with you yesterday.

To confirm, I'd like to purchase a .656  piano wood bridge.

Thanks,

Doug Peacock

pscdp@bellsouth.net

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/09/2012:  09:21:48

quote:

---

Originally posted by dpeacock1

Tim,

Good talking with you yesterday.

To confirm, I'd like to purchase a .656  piano wood bridge.

 

Thanks,

Doug Peacock

pscdp@bellsouth.net

---

It was great talking to you too, Doug. I'm going to glue the tops on some blanks right now and yours is included.

Do you want the 3rd compensated?

Tim

erikforgod - Posted - 02/10/2012:  04:53:48

yeah def great looking...by the way, what is the difference between birch and maple for bridge wood? sound and tone wise?

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/10/2012:  05:40:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by mikezjr

Wow! Over the years I've tried several bridges to find one that worked with all (5) my banjos: Emerson Power, Samson walnut, Moon, Scorpion, and finally settled on Scott's Vintage Elite because that bridge sounded well on all of 'em. So then here comes comments on the Purcell in the forum.  Well, for around $20 what the heck, so I thought I'd try a red maple one. It came in the mail Monday and I put it on my '29 TB3 conversion. A first it sounded as good as the Z bridge until I started to digging into it and boy did the banjo come alive. Gonna have to try it on my RK when Keeby sends me the thin skirt, and then the others. Go figure. My wife said that I should donate my bridge collection to  the instrument museum in Scottsdale. At least, she says, I don't hang around in bars.

---

Hey Louis, thanks for the very nice comments my friend! I'm happy you like the red maple.

Tim

chickenpickin - Posted - 02/10/2012:  06:06:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by erikforgod

yeah def great looking...by the way, what is the difference between birch and maple for bridge wood? sound and tone wise?

---

Eric, the submerged birch I use is very warm sounding. A little more subdued on a flathead but with plenty of sustain. It really seems to like a little tighter head and more down pressure from the strings to bring out the lows and mids. Some arch top players seem to like the submerged birch.

Hard maple can really vary from bridge to bridge. It packs a lttle more punch when you dig into the strings more. Most of the old maple that I've experimented with has a quicker decay than submerged birch. It rteally depends on the density of the wood, height of top wood as well as width, how much wood mass is left, and the bridges footprint. Though it's not rocket science, as many will say, there is a lot to be said about the final shape of the bridge. These are my opinions of course and in no way should considered worthy of stone tablets....

Tim

dpeacock1 - Posted - 03/01/2012:  06:54:51

Tim,

Wanted to let you know I really like your piano wood bridge.

I'm trying to schedule a meeting at MB Industries in Rosman in March. Will let you know the date and hopefully I can make it over to Chandler for a brief visit.

Thanks,

Doug

chickenpickin - Posted - 03/01/2012:  14:37:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by dpeacock1

Tim,

Wanted to let you know I really like your piano wood bridge.

I'm trying to schedule a meeting at MB Industries in Rosman in March. Will let you know the date and hopefully I can make it over to Chandler for a brief visit.

Thanks,

Doug

---

Glad to hear it....and I look forward to your visit.

Tim

erikforgod - Posted - 03/22/2012:  17:01:59

Tim my new banjo bridge just arrived today and as expected I just put the new bridge on, but with the already old strings that were already on it and my wife came out of the kitchen and exclaimed how it sounded like a "new banjo" just the volume and clarity and sustain improvement is what jumps out at me about your bridges Tim. Thanks again for making a banjo player happy once again...both my banjos have really come to life now!

Edited by - erikforgod on 03/22/2012 17:02:41

lazyarcher - Posted - 03/22/2012:  17:32:26

The bridge I have on my RK75 is absolutely amazing. It has tone and clarity and consistency all over the neck...and is as powerful a bridge as I've used.

Awesome work Tim!!!!!!

chickenpickin - Posted - 03/22/2012:  18:37:12

quote:

---

Originally posted by erikforgod

Tim my new banjo bridge just arrived today and as expected I just put the new bridge on, but with the already old strings that were already on it and my wife came out of the kitchen and exclaimed how it sounded like a "new banjo" just the volume and clarity and sustain improvement is what jumps out at me about your bridges Tim. Thanks again for making a banjo player happy once again...both my banjos have really come to life now!

---

I'm tickled it got there in one piece!! Hopefully you can post a video of some more of your great playing AND singing, brother.....

chickenpickin - Posted - 03/22/2012:  18:40:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by lazyarcher

The bridge I have on my RK75 is absolutely amazing. It has tone and clarity and consistency all over the neck...and is as powerful a bridge as I've used.

Awesome work Tim!!!!!!

---

Thanks Dave......I'm hoping to get some old gym floor hard maple from a local North Carolina fellow. I've only got 5 blanks left but it's some really nice sounding bridge wood. I'll try and post a sound file of it.

chickenpickin - Posted - 03/22/2012:  20:30:06

Here's the old college gym floor bridge.

gym floor bridge test

Banjophobic - Posted - 03/22/2012:  20:31:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by chickenpickin

quote:

---

Originally posted by lazyarcher

The bridge I have on my RK75 is absolutely amazing. It has tone and clarity and consistency all over the neck...and is as powerful a bridge as I've used.

Awesome work Tim!!!!!!

---

Thanks Dave......I'm hoping to get some old gym floor hard maple from a local North Carolina fellow. I've only got 5 blanks left but it's some really nice sounding bridge wood. I'll try and post a sound file of it.

---

Tim

Ive got another chunk of it, Im going to mail it out tomorrow hopefully. I havent heard back from Eric. He may be out of town. Its excellent stuff, isn;t it!

chickenpickin - Posted - 03/22/2012:  20:39:48

It is definitely some very good bridge wood no doubt, John! I would love to try some with closer growth lines. It is very close in tone to the piano wood but has a nice rounded note decay and maybe a little more "pleasing to the ear" sound.

Thanks again for the wood, John. That's mighty kind of ya.......

Tim

erikforgod - Posted - 03/23/2012:  06:24:07

Here it is all set up!!! ...my trusty Goodtime Crow has a new voice...out with the old and in with the new! I got the banjo all set up and it sounds great with my new Purcell bridge. I have some 5-stars planetary tuners comin for this banjo as well.....

Nothing like a finely crafted banjo bridge to make a huge difference in sound!

VIDEO: Tim Purcell Banjo bridge ( number 2 ) Piano Maple / ebony cap / Compensated G string (click to view)

chickenpickin - Posted - 03/23/2012:  06:53:09

Thanks for sharing the video, Eric. The banjo sounds really nice and it has a nice warm tone to it. Very easy to listen to.

Happy pickin'!

Tim

erikforgod - Posted - 03/23/2012:  06:55:25

Tim here is another video...I was practicing the vocals to "Cluck Old Hen" and I pulled the towel stuffing out of the pot...this video you can hear even more of a difference....also in the past I had trouble with the "G" string whenever I tuned to "Sawmill tuning" in the past...its clear as a bell now. It really feels and sounds like a whole new banjo to me now...also my other bridge sagged in the middle ( the cheapie Deering stock bridge ) so I tightened just a quarter-turn all the way around the head also before I put the bridge on..soo everythings working together now....an these are like 4 month old strings!! LOL

Edited by - erikforgod on 03/23/2012 07:01:56

VIDEO: Cluck Old Hen with vocals ( without banjo mute ) (click to view)

chickenpickin - Posted - 03/23/2012:  07:18:30

Oh yeah!! quite a difference now. Your pickin' is top notch Eric and your vocals are spot on with this tune. I'm really impressed with your timing. Great job!!

Tim

erikforgod - Posted - 03/23/2012:  07:29:20

Thanks Tim.....I was hoping the folks could hear both sounds...muted and un-muted. Here because our neighbors are so close I have to sometimes use a mute to tone it down..but even muted it sound so much better....if my wife comments on it..then it catches my attention..she is very observant...and the banjo is completely new to her. I have some 5-star banjo tuners in the mail...both of my banjos are perfect now in my opinion. I might be sooo tempted to buy another Goodtime...only fretless but maybe with a steel tone ring, one of your bridges and then put a brass or formica fingerboard over the neck...and I know I would have a nice banjer with that...fretless banjo is my next and maybe last step...that way each of my banjos has something different.

Before this bridge I didnt like this banjo un-muted as much...now it has such a nice bell tone to it!!

Edited by - erikforgod on 03/23/2012 07:30:23

banjomaster1980 - Posted - 03/23/2012:  08:41:25

I really like the sound file that you posted, that is a really good sounding banjo, good job.