paco_rumblefish - Posted - 08/07/2016:  17:37:34

Bart Reiter Galax (Whyte Laydie tone ring under a Renaissance head) -- which bridge do you all suggest?

jbalch - Posted - 08/07/2016:  18:37:27

I recommend using a high-quality maple bridge with ebony cap ...  just like you would for a bluegrass banjo. I think that type bridge is very responsive and great sounding. 

There are LOTS of fine bridge makers. Personally, I use bridges by Tim Purcell, Gary Sosebee & Silvio Ferretti (Scorpion) on my Bart Reiter banjos  (with various tone rings).  They sound fantastic (IMHO).

 

Edited by - jbalch on 08/07/2016 18:42:03

Bizdoc - Posted - 08/07/2016:  18:43:18

Is the spacing on a claw hammer banjo bridge any different than a bluegrass banjo bridge?

Edited by - Bizdoc on 08/07/2016 18:44:17

cottontop - Posted - 08/07/2016:  19:30:59

My open back sounds great with a Don New Douglas Fir bridge.
cottontop

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 08/07/2016:  20:44:44

I highly recommend David Cunningham's bridges.  The best I have come across in nearly 50 years of playing.

Read my review for contact info:

banjohangout.org/reviews/searc...edir=true

RG - Posted - 08/08/2016:  00:32:38

I'm a big fan of Bart Veerman's "mystery wood" bridges, absolutely phenomenal sound...

banjobridge.com

Bart Veerman - Posted - 08/08/2016:  07:38:43

Shameless self promotion:

Bart banjo? Bart bridge!

Crusty - Posted - 08/08/2016:  08:40:48

Kat Eyz Pegged top Spice maple, or any of the others already mentioned.

I prefer 44mm string spacing (between standard and Crowe) because it gives me a little more finger room for drop thumbs.

It's like asking what's the best car.  YMMV.

black flag - Posted - 08/11/2016:  18:07:19

I like to use an 11/16" Moon bridge with a 2" string spacing. Buckeye bridges are also nice.

John Gribble - Posted - 08/23/2016:  19:34:58

What is wrong with the bridge you have? How do you want to change the sound or playability? 

I recommend doing business with Bart V, above, because I told him what I wanted (a woodier sound from a metal-rimmed archtop banjo) and he sent me a bridge that did exactly that. 

If you simply want to experiment, buy them all!  

Emiel - Posted - 08/24/2016:  03:36:36

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bizdoc

 

Is the spacing on a claw hammer banjo bridge any different than a bluegrass banjo bridge?

 

---

No. You can use any bridge for bluegrass, clawhammer and oldtime. Bluegrassers tend to prefer ebony-topped maple; many oldtime players as well, though their scope of preference may be broader.

Spacing: crow-spacing is preferred by some bluegrassers. Sub-standard spacing is preferred by almost nobody. Most use standard spacing, though some players (can be any style) would prefer a wider spacing.

paco_rumblefish - Posted - 08/25/2016:  09:14:53

I purchased two to try:
-Bart Veerman "Mystery Wood" in medium
-Kat Eyz "Old Wood"