pluckster - Posted - 01/18/2016:  18:20:21

Just got an old openback that will be using nylgut strings- what is the best type of bridge to use?

Will the standard grover with ebony top work?

Thanks

Culloden - Posted - 01/18/2016:  18:43:28

I use the Grover with nylon strings so it should work just as well with nylgut strings but I am not an old time banjo player. Maybe some of the old time crowd will have other suggestions. There are also some custom bridge makers on here. Maybe some of them will chip in. 

oldtimefolkie - Posted - 01/18/2016:  20:22:26

Lots of folks prefer an all maple bridge with Nylgut strings (I do). But I know some people don't mind using a ebony caped bridge. If you have one, give it shot first before moving to an all maple one. Note, you'll have to widen the string slots on a stock bridge for using with the Nylgut strings. Best of luck!
Warren

Leslie R - Posted - 01/18/2016:  21:03:57

I'm in the process of working on one myself.  I don't have Nylgut, just nylon strings.  This will be for a Buckbee that I've had a couple of years.  I am building this bridge out of walnut.  I have some walnut scraps on hand, and I just wanted to try something different.  

Hawgfiddle65 - Posted - 01/19/2016:  02:33:33

Hi

Recently when I made a bridge for a uke I had to introduce some compensation for one of the strings . Does anyone recommend compensation on a bridge  cut for nyguts/ nylon strings?

Ta

Jim

rudy - Posted - 01/19/2016:  05:50:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hawgfiddle65

Hi

Recently when I made a bridge for a uke I had to introduce some compensation for one of the strings . Does anyone recommend compensation on a bridge  cut for nyguts/ nylon strings?

 Ta

 Jim

---

Jim, You'll find the normal reasons for compensation don't apply for synthetics.  What you'll find is you'll still follow the same method for setting bridge position, but the actual position can end up being closer or farther back than what you would see for steel strings.

The other aspect of synthetics is as they age (and occasionally when first installed) they will stretch nonlinearly along the string length.  The result is that the string mass or density varies along the length of the string and that results in notes that aren't as true as what you will find with steel.  It's normally not a large deviation, but it's something you may or may not notice.  Occasionally it is bad enough that it necessitates a string change.

Prescott - Posted - 01/19/2016:  06:37:46

I've used the Grover ebony capped bridges with Nylguts for years with good results, as well as bridges I've made myself. Solid ebony works well too, as long as the total weight doesn't exceed normal (say 2.5 grams). All variations of course influence tone.

What must be mentioned is the necessity of smoothing and slightly rounding over the edges of string grooves in the nut and bridge (especially if these are bone) and any contact points on the tailpiece (most original old tailpieces are reasonably smooth, while the same can't be said for lots of modern reproductions). This is important because Nylguts (as well as Sands, La Bella, and gut) are highly notch sensitive, and anything that can put a little nick in them will cause them to break soon.

ClayTech - Posted - 01/19/2016:  06:40:21

I use a two foot minstrel style bridge made by stringbean45 here on the Hangout. I've used it on a couple of banjos and it always sounds great.

steve davis - Posted - 01/19/2016:  06:41:49

My clawhammer customers like the soft maple with rosewood top and at a heavier weight than hard maple/ebony Grovers.
Pleasing, powereful plunk.

BDCA - Posted - 01/19/2016:  07:07:35

I have red Nylguts on my Tubaphone and a standard Grover bridge with great results.

Bob

rudy - Posted - 01/19/2016:  08:08:56

There is no need for a top cap for synthetic strings.

The only thing a top cap (of any kind) is going to add for a banjo equipped with synthetics is weight, and that's the opposite direction you want to go.

steve davis - Posted - 01/19/2016:  08:14:34

My rosewood top adds a touch of clarity to the plunk.

Bart Veerman - Posted - 01/19/2016:  09:37:02

Any bridge, including Grover, will work.

However, for best tonal results with nylons, use an untopped, light weight, bridge with properly round bottomed string slots that match the string gauges you use.

Playing with nylon strings is all about clarity, plunk is not a consideration, especially with old time finger picking styles like Van Epps parlor banjo.

steve davis - Posted - 01/19/2016:  14:34:26

My nylon strung customers often mention plunk.They also get clarity.

Ken LeVan - Posted - 01/19/2016:  14:41:21

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

 

My nylon strung customers often mention plunk.They also get clarity.

---

Steve,

The incessant sales pitches are annoying to many people

csacwp - Posted - 01/19/2016:  15:27:00

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bart Veerman

 

Any bridge, including Grover, will work.

However, for best tonal results with nylons, use an untopped, light weight, bridge with properly round bottomed string slots that match the string gauges you use.

Playing with nylon strings is all about clarity, plunk is not a consideration, especially with old time finger picking styles like Van Epps parlor banjo.

---

1.  It's Van Eps, not "Epps".

2.  It's not "parlor banjo" (though there were of course those who chose to play in their parlors) but was popular music, hot stuff back then performed by some of the top stage musicians of the day.  They were the rockstars of their era. Now a day we call it "classic banjo".

3.  You're right about bridges.  It's not only about clarity but about quality of tone and lots of volume.  A properly set up nylon or gut strung banjo is louder than a banjo with wire strings and has lots of dynamic range.  

Edited by - csacwp on 01/19/2016 15:29:15

csacwp - Posted - 01/19/2016:  15:30:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

 

My nylon strung customers often mention plunk.They also get clarity.

---

Plunk and clarity?  I'll believe it when I hear it.

BrentSims - Posted - 01/19/2016:  15:58:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by Hawgfiddle65

 

Recently when I made a bridge for a uke I had to introduce some compensation for one of the strings . Does anyone recommend compensation on a bridge  cut for nyguts/ nylon strings?

Jim

---

I am anything other than an expert in this area however my shoulder has been acting up lately and I just purchased a new short-scaled banjo in the hope that it would allow me to practice longer and more often. It does. I couldn't get the beast to play on key up and down the neck with the steel strings it came with and the situation did not improve after switching to nylguts. After trying everything I could think of I contacted Steve Davis and he whipped me up a compensated bridge that set everything right the moment I installed it. It knocked my socks off. I was and remain amazed - every note is pure and clean up and down the neck. So, for what it is worth, IMO on a banjo that needs one, nylgut or steel strings,  a good quality compensated bridge is the cat's meow.

Brent

Rawhide Creek - Posted - 01/19/2016:  17:57:00

But, Ken, I'd really like to see some of those "nylon strung customers".  Do they wrap the nylon around the waist and chest, or through the crotch and over the shoulders?  

Leslie R - Posted - 01/19/2016:  19:40:16

I finished the walnut bridge I mentioned earlier.  The banjo is a 6 string Buckbee.  I am very pleased with how this turned out.  The previous bridge was maple and ebony.  There is more clarity and volume with the walnut bridge.  It sounds very nice.  The bridge even looks good, at least compared to my previous bridges.

steve davis - Posted - 01/20/2016:  06:47:02

quote:

---

Originally posted by Ken LeVan

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

 

My nylon strung customers often mention plunk.They also get clarity.

---

Steve,

The incessant sales pitches are annoying to many people

---

This is a discussion about clawhammer bridges,Ken.I'll say anything I please about them including the fact that I build a good one.

Anyone can be as annoyed as they wish,I suppose.Seems they might be annoyed a lot,though.

That's not it,Russ.I'm talking about the good folks that have bought my bridges.Maybe you're over analyzing.

BTW,I'm never going to change how I "talk" around here.

Edited by - steve davis on 01/20/2016 06:52:28

Bart Veerman - Posted - 01/20/2016:  07:32:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by csacwp

 

---

1.  It's Van Eps, not "Epps".

 

---

If you want to get real picky then it's van Eps, lower case v - Fred van Eps

Joel Hooks - Posted - 01/20/2016:  08:09:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bart Veerman

 

quote:

---

Originally posted by csacwp

 

---

1.  It's Van Eps, not "Epps".

 

---

 

If you want to get real picky then it's van Eps, lower case v - Fred van Eps

---

Nope, he spelled it Fred Van Eps.  He was very clear about this in his interview with Hobbies Magazine.  He also pointed out that his first name is Fred and not Frederick.

Bill - Posted - 01/20/2016:  08:42:57

It's interesting to find everyone pushing for a light bridge with Nylguts. I went the heavy route. I am currently using a heavy Moon bridge on my Reiter with good effect (I was previously using a light one). Here's what it sounds like:

VIDEO: Cluck Old Hen (click to view)

steve davis - Posted - 01/20/2016:  09:01:07

My folks are very happy with 2.7 grams.

Rawhide Creek - Posted - 01/20/2016:  14:31:53

Rawhide Creek - Posted - 01/20/2016:  15:31:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

 

My folks are very happy with 2.7 grams.

---

My folks are very happy with 2 urns.

 (Well, we've heard no complaints so far . . . )

steve davis - Posted - 01/20/2016:  15:38:13

I like to pay attention as to what works for folks.

Rawhide Creek - Posted - 01/20/2016:  17:10:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve davis

 

I like to pay attention as to what works for folks.

---

So does our funeral director!

steve davis - Posted - 01/21/2016:  07:03:03

Does your funeral director play clawhammer style,Russ?
What does he have to do with a conversation about bridges?