Hello all.......I have never really monkeyed with my bridge before, but recently bought a cheap 3/4 to see how I liked the height and I dig it. My question, which I'm sure has been asked before, is what are the benefits of an upgrade? I see bridges for $50, $60 and more. Trying to get a feel if I should spring for a nicer one. I play a 1988 Stelling Sunflower. Thanks!
Benefits = "better" sound
Risks = "worse" sound
Are you a gambling man?
quote:
Originally posted by AndyBlueBanjoHello all.......I have never really monkeyed with my bridge before, but recently bought a cheap 3/4 to see how I liked the height and I dig it. My question, which I'm sure has been asked before, is what are the benefits of an upgrade? I see bridges for $50, $60 and more. Trying to get a feel if I should spring for a nicer one. I play a 1988 Stelling Sunflower. Thanks!
There are bridge builders here that are cheaper than the price you have listed.
Tim Purcell is one of those builders: http://www.purcell-banjo-bridges.com/order-bridges.html
Hello,
When I settled on 7.25” radius to match my fretboard, I automatically consigned myself to banjo bridge building specialists. My height is 11/16” with a 7.25” radius. I really have appreciated Tim Purcell offerings. Everyone I have purchased has been a gem. It is not every day, my bridge needs are available to test. Who has that type of inventory and selection.
Maybe, bridges are in three states, old, getting old, and new. Any new bridge works. Given the flexibility of the Presto tailpiece, compensation needs are more from an out of line tailpiece than a long 3rd string. I use the Fults system and his 1934 parallel tailpiece. I have never needed to compensate any bridge. I miss Mr. Fults.
Many banjo players are notorious tinkerers on their banjos. Open their cases and you may find a dozen bridges in there. Bridges are like fingerprints. No two are the exact same. Whats sounds good on one banjo may do opposite on another.
It really depends on the tone you want on your banjo. What you like may not be what the guy next to you likes. Half the fun is finding out how different bridges Along with head tightness , strings, etc. Make your banjo sound. Kind of a bonding experience. Ive had the same Snuffy bridge on my Stanleytone for decades. I love how it sounds and have no desire to change it
Edited by - stanleytone on 01/31/2023 04:51:28
quote:
Originally posted by stanleytoneMany banjo players are notorious tinkerers on their banjos. Open their cases and you may find a dozen bridges in there. Bridges are like fingerprints. No two are the exact same. Whats sounds good on one banjo may do opposite on another.
It really depends on the tone you want on your banjo. What you like may not be what the guy next to you likes. Half the fun is finding out how different bridges Along with head tightness , strings, etc. Make your banjo sound. Kind of a bonding experience. Ive had the same Snuffy bridge on my Stanleytone for decades. I love how it sounds and have no desire to change it
^^^ This.
My suggestion? Make a setup appointment at Elderly, which looks to be about 90 minutes from you. Have them try different bridges. As noted above, no two bridges are exactly the same, and a shop like Elderly will have a bunch of different ones that can bring out the best is your Stelling.
Skip mentioned setup and that thought had occurred to me also. The original post doesn’t say if he did anything with the setup when he changed the bridge. Going to a 3/4” bridge would probably require some adjustment to the neck or you’ll end up with painfully high action. It’s pretty hard to evaluate a bridge if you can’t play up the neck because the strings are too high.
I love playing with bridges.
I would suggest going by reputation instead of cost. Silvio Ferretti makes Scorpion and the are very popular ($35), Richie Dotson ($40), Purcell as others have mentioned. There are a ton in the $35 range that are really great. My favorite maker retired, Bart Veerman. He made great bridges.
I will add to my prior post.
Only change one thing at a time.
I offer a money back guarantee on my $35 bridges.It takes the risk out of trying them out.
Old-time or bluegrass tones and choices of woods.My most popular ones are made from Sullivan torrified maple.
Many years ago, I bought a Snuffy Smith bridge from Janet Davis (that's how long ago it was
). It really made my 1893 Fairbanks-Electric come alive. I strongly recommend them!!
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