Action and bridge sizes

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Stelling Owners Club

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From DomZilla on 6/29/2016 3:36:04 AM

Hi,

I'm a bit confused with action depending on different bridges' size.

My Golden Cross was built in 2004 or something so I believe it was delivered with a 11/16 Stelling bridge. I bought it a few months ago. It was equipped with a gibson 5/8 bridge (and some other third parties on it). It sounded good but I really wanted to be as close to the Stelling sound as possible, so I replaced everything with original Stelling parts including a 5/8 old wood bridge.
Everything sounds awesome and I have a good action, playability is excellent.

Well I wonder now if I should install a 11/16 bridge to be closer to factory's preset.
Will it change anything in terms of tone ?
But above all I'm going to change the action.
Could I set the same I currently have tweaking the rod ?
Should I just live happy with my 5/8.

Thanks in advance for your advices.

9 Comments
	BobbyE says: 6/29/2016 7:04:02 AM IMO there's just not enough difference in the bridge height to warrant changing anything since you are happy with what you have now. Doubt you'd notice any tone difference at all, or not enough to say one was better than the other. Only element that would swing me one way or the other would be a string buzz with the lower bridge.
	drewbarries says: 6/29/2016 8:12:05 AM I am considering buying a 5/8 inch bridge because my neck relief is correct but my action is a bit too high and I also have been getting used to a lower bridge on a different banjo. You also may want to listen to any number of Bill Emerson recordings where he played his Stelling, his preference was for a 5/8 inch bridge and his tone was phenomenal. He also I believe had a special custom tailpiece that would have been shorter thereby reducing the break angle further, that is of course assuming he maintained a fairly level tailpiece angle. Not sure if this helps or not but if had Bill's skills I'd copy his setup 🎼
	tonwil says: 6/29/2016 9:31:27 AM I would leave it alone if its right...nothing wrong with a lower bridge. Just get a good quality. Stelling, snuffy ( which i prefer) dotson . Etc .many others. A bridge too tall and compensation from other places can result in some unpleasant overtones. You have to look at the whole picture.
	DomZilla says: 7/6/2016 6:22:49 AM Thank you for all your answers gentlemen. I'm sorry I was not able to come back any sooner. In fact, I have slights string buzz with the first two frets. I double checked and I have a bow slightly higher than Geoff's settings (I was about to increase it then read again the field service manual). I suspect this is linked. On top of that I find my Golden Cross more difficult to tune than my Recording King (quite easy with that one). So I still wonder if I you should not be able to set the same action (mine is just a little bit under 1/8 @12th fret with a 5/8 bridge) with a 11/16 bridge. May I get rid of tuning troubles and first frets buzzes ?
momo says: 7/18/2016 3:42:02 PM It was built and designed for a 11/16 Bridge put one on there and watch it come alive.
momo says: 7/18/2016 3:43:40 PM also put a Stelling Bridge on it, .. it will give you the best tone
	DomZilla says: 7/19/2016 1:42:25 AM Well, that's exactly what I did. I first replaced by a 5/8 Stelling bridge as it was delivered with a 5/8 bridge. Then I noticed it was originally designed with a 11/16 bridge. I set it up about one week ago, and had a clearer tone (less overtones). It's easier to tune, and more comfortable for the right hand. The action is higher but that's not big deal. But I still have buzzes on the first two frets. I think the neck is fine though.
	DomZilla says: 7/26/2016 5:18:18 AM Well, that's exactly what I did. I first replaced by a 5/8 Stelling bridge as it was delivered with a 5/8 bridge. Then I noticed it was originally designed with a 11/16 bridge. I set it up about one week ago, and had a clearer tone (less overtones). It's easier to tune, and more comfortable for the right hand. The action is higher but that's not big deal. But I still have buzzes on the first two frets. I think the neck is fine though.
	DomZilla says: 7/28/2016 12:56:55 AM Well, that's exactly what I did. I first replaced by a 5/8 Stelling bridge as it was delivered with a 5/8 bridge. Then I noticed it was originally designed with a 11/16 bridge. I set it up about one week ago, and had a clearer tone (less overtones). It's easier to tune, and more comfortable for the right hand. The action is higher but that's not big deal. But I still have buzzes on the first two frets. I think the neck is fine though.
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