Tim Purcell - Posted - 05/07/2026:  12:16:30

Because of some health issues, I have shut down my Purcell Banjo Bridges website. This could be a temporary thing, but more likely than not, it will be a permanent thing. I was recently diagnosed with Emphysema. My doctor was concerned that it could be a pulmanary embolism, however, after a CT scan and blood work, it turned out to be emphysema. I have never been a smoker but I have worked in the construction business all my adult life and have been around a lot of sheetrock dust, as well as woodshop dust. I've always worn a mask when making bridges over the past 15 plus years, but my shop is a dust bowl, even with a dust collecting system. Needless to say, my wife and two sons have pleaded with me to bow out of that phase of my life, and now I think I have a pretty good excuse to do so. Though it is with a heavy heart, because I do enjoy bridge making and wood working in general.

I really just wanted to get on here and give a big THANK YOU!! to all the great folks who have purchased my bridges over the years. I have made some truly great friends and have had enjoyable conversations, whether over the phone or by email. I really do think banjo players are some of the best people on this planet. I think that's what made bridge making so enjoyable for me. I thank God everday for my blessings and for the opportunities and abilities that were given to me to do the things I enjoy doing. God Bless you all and Happy Pickin'!!

Tim Purcell

The Old Timer - Posted - 05/07/2026:  12:31:55

Best wishes to maintain good (better) health!

BobbyE - Posted - 05/07/2026:  14:19:31

Tim. I am a happy past customer and owner of several of your great bridges but health and family is a way more important priority for you and them at this point in your life. Just take care and get better in the days ahead.

Bobby

srrobertsiii - Posted - 05/07/2026:  14:40:29

All the best to you, Tim! As others have said and still others will say soon, health and family should indeed be your priorities. Thank you for the contributions you’ve made to the banjo community, and to my personal banjos in particular. It’s ALWAYS been a pleasure to deal with you.

chuckv97 - Posted - 05/07/2026:  15:42:11

Thanks for your dedication, Tim. The best of health going forward.

Mad Hornet - Posted - 05/07/2026:  16:44:14

Best of luck in retirement and I am sorry it is under these circumstances. I still have your bridge on my cello that gets played almost daily.

Will Frady - Posted - 05/07/2026:  18:20:29

The Almighty already knows what is next for you Tim. Lean not to your own understanding. Tim your bridges are top notch. Obliged

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 05/07/2026:  22:13:03

I have always had a Purcell bridge on at least one of my instruments since the early days. Thanks Tim, for all you have contributed to the world of bridge building. This is truly the golden age of bridges.
Take it easy.
L

rvrose - Posted - 05/07/2026:  22:57:30

Thanks Tim for the great bridges and happy retirement!

Rick

ChunoTheDog - Posted - 05/08/2026:  13:39:38

Tim, I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I wish you nothing but the best going forward.

I am very glad to have contacted you not too long ago for a special thin bridge project, and boy did you deliver!! (That tabletop Maple must have fallen from Mount Olympus!)

Enjoy your time with your loved ones, life is too short to be stuck in the shop anyway.

I will be sending positive vibrations and prayers your way.
Thanks again for your indelible contribution to the banjo world.

Very sincerely,
-Antoine

Doug Knecht - Posted - 05/08/2026:  16:14:24

quote:

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Originally posted by Tim Purcell

Because of some health issues, I have shut down my Purcell Banjo Bridges website. This could be a temporary thing, but more likely than not, it will be a permanent thing. I was recently diagnosed with Emphysema. My doctor was concerned that it could be a pulmanary embolism, however, after a CT scan and blood work, it turned out to be emphysema. I have never been a smoker but I have worked in the construction business all my adult life and have been around a lot of sheetrock dust, as well as woodshop dust. I've always worn a mask when making bridges over the past 15 plus years, but my shop is a dust bowl, even with a dust collecting system. Needless to say, my wife and two sons have pleaded with me to bow out of that phase of my life, and now I think I have a pretty good excuse to do so. Though it is with a heavy heart, because I do enjoy bridge making and wood working in general.



I really just wanted to get on here and give a big THANK YOU!! to all the great folks who have purchased my bridges over the years. I have made some truly great friends and have had enjoyable conversations, whether over the phone or by email. I really do think banjo players are some of the best people on this planet. I think that's what made bridge making so enjoyable for me. I thank God everday for my blessings and for the opportunities and abilities that were given to me to do the things I enjoy doing. God Bless you all and Happy Pickin'!!



Tim Purcell

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Tim, thanks so much for making some bridges for me in the past!  You've got so much talent.

Joe62 - Posted - 05/08/2026:  16:42:06

Thanks

Bart Veerman - Posted - 05/09/2026:  08:56:17

Happy Retirement Tim!

TimFoster - Posted - 05/09/2026:  10:18:28

Happy retirement!

I have a few Purcell bridges and rate them among best in my stash (that is to say, they brought out the best tone on a few of my banjo's after lots of swapping.)  The "countertop" bridges in particular!  

Old Hickory - Posted - 05/09/2026:  11:29:15

Happy retirement.

And take care of yourself.

Will you be liquidating your current inventory (if there is any)? Or is the shutdown immediate and complete?

Tim Purcell - Posted - 05/09/2026:  12:41:44

quote:

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Originally posted by Old Hickory

Happy retirement.

And take care of yourself.

Will you be liquidating your current inventory (if there is any)? Or is the shutdown immediate and complete?

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Tim Purcell - Posted - 05/09/2026:  13:03:25

Thanks, Ken.

I'll have to go through what bridges I have that I won't be keeping for my own stash. That won't be many. I never purposely made bridges to keep in stock. I'll come up with a list of bridges, which will be mainly Crowe spaced 5/8", which is what I use for my personal banjos. I will have some in other heights as well.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 05/10/2026:  05:20:39

good luck tim ,, just take care of yourself.. i been dealing with COPD for 9 years and its sux. really limits what you can do... hope it works out for you buddy ,,,,,

heavy5 - Posted - 05/12/2026:  09:35:32

Tim , Wishing you the best in the future , I'm the proud owner of many of your bridges , especially those from the pieces of old maple I sent you !

Tim Purcell - Posted - 05/12/2026:  13:15:27

quote:

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Originally posted by heavy5

Tim , Wishing you the best in the future , I'm the proud owner of many of your bridges , especially those from the pieces of old maple I sent you !

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Bob, thank you, my friend! That old shop maple was excellent bridge wood. I have been very blessed by folks like you who took the time to send me wood for bridge making. 

banjoez - Posted - 05/12/2026:  18:05:39

Best wishes.

BigFiveChord - Posted - 05/12/2026:  19:53:14

Thanks so much for all the wonderful work, Tim, and best wishes

1931TB2 - Posted - 05/13/2026:  07:41:48

Best wishes for your family and health. I've always enjoyed your bridges and am thankful that I have a few!

Tim Purcell - Posted - 05/13/2026:  15:20:47

quote:

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Originally posted by BigFiveChord

Thanks so much for all the wonderful work, Tim, and best wishes

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Thank you, Jon! You have been one of my biggest return customers for a long time and appreciate your patronage, my friend. Best wishes to you, as well.

danielburdett - Posted - 05/15/2026:  12:00:27

Congratulations! I hope you have many many more years of enjoying time with the family. I’d be interested in buying a bridge if you do end up having some for sale. I’ll keep watching the classified ads till then!

stevedenver - Posted - 05/18/2026:  07:53:51

Tim, you made 3 bridges for me, and they are the best.

I am sorry to hear of your health issue.make this your priority. I wish you a speedy and full recovery.


And, happy retirement. Its always another ‘sh$$y day” in paradise. Ie any day is great.
Retirement is an evolution. Be patient. It took me about a year to change my mindset from my former frantic and stressful job.

I wish you all the best and happiness.

Bullard - Posted - 05/20/2026:  17:28:53

Thank You Tim - I have a good number of your bridges and I am happy to have them. You have always been a pleasure to work with!

Garry Greenland - Posted - 05/20/2026:  18:00:26

Thanks for sharing your craftsmanship and good luck.

Tom Berghan - Posted - 05/21/2026:  07:23:15

Thank you Tim. Best bridges ever and fantastic customer service.

itsnotyou - Posted - 05/21/2026:  16:39:45

Tim sorry to hear about your health issues. I tried several different brands of bridges on my banjos and yours were always the best. Plus you always gave me great service and advice.

Enjoy your retirement.

HuberTone - Posted - 05/26/2026:  06:13:36

Happy Retirement Tim!! Prioritize your health above all else, and those of us lucky enough to own some of your bridges will cherish them even more. Thanks for making such a wonderful product over the years!

DRL777 - Posted - 05/26/2026:  06:21:18

Tim, you are the only guy that made exactly what I needed, and was kind as could be, EVERY time. That last radius bridge you made for me just made that banjo come alive...perfection.

Family first and God Bless you Tim. If you're ever out to the Nashville area, you're welcome here!

DonovanGT - Posted - 06/02/2026:  04:32:28

Tim - have always appreciated your bridges -learning about you after buying a used banjo that had one of your Piano Bridges on it. Thanks for everything! More importantly - I wish you a quick and speedy recovery to full health!

sugarinthegourd - Posted - 06/09/2026:  16:20:15

Tim, I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I have bought quite a few bridges from you, and am a big fan. I especially like your Locust bridges for clawhammer & wonder if I’ll be able to find something like that in the future.

That’s unimportant though - what matters is for you to take care of yourself! Wishing you a happy and healthy future. Not sure if COPD is reversible but hope there are treatments that will help you get many happy & healthy, active (and dust-free) years.

Take care of yourself! Your bridges have helped a whole bunch of us make music that adds meaning to our lives. And I ask you: what’s better than that?

John