If you think it happens..
How long do you think it takes..
In general...
I haven't noticed changes in the bridges that I make during a short period (a year). A new head or strings will likely need some time to stretch/break in if they are swapped at the same time though.
I would think that there would be a difference between old wood and new due to changes over decades. I think that new thermally modified wood (roasted / toasted / torrefied) will likely not change much though.
Banjo bridges don't settle in Al, the molecules don't need to rearrange themselves. Sometimes there's a bit of "jet lag" in people's hearing though but if so, then usually less than 1 minute.
If I understand the question correctly (installing a new bridge), I agree with Bart. I pluck the strings hard a few times, check tuning, check intonation, play for 10 seconds, check tuning, check intonation... and repeat until it sounds right.
In other words, probably just a minute or so.
I'll check once or twice over the next day or two, but that's it.
If the question is about manufacturing a bridge, I'll naturally defer to Chris or someone else who makes them.
Edited by - reubenstump on 11/09/2024 07:15:15
If break-in, mellowing, or any type of change with use over time happens to acoustic guitars, violins and other instruments that get their sound from vibrating wood, why not banjo bridges? How long does it take? I have no idea. I've never noticed it.
Whether the bridge or my ears, my last bridge change sounded better to me after about three days.
I find that they are whatever they are as soon as they are put on,but sometimes people change things like head tension at the same time and this combination might need a slight settling.
I have noticed that with a brand new bridge, they do settle a little as the feet settle into the head and the string slots get vibrated a bit. After playing for a day or two the volume and response increases a little. The difference is very small though. This is why I find bridges that I’ve used tend to sound better than brand new bridges. That being said, once they sag in too much or the slots wear down too much it’s time to change it out.
Edited by - banjo1930 on 11/09/2024 10:09:34
Instantly
quote:
Originally posted by banjo1930I have noticed that with a brand new bridge, they do settle a little as the feet settle into the head and the string slots get vibrated a bit. After playing for a day or two the volume and response increases a little. out.
Sorry, but that's only the way that works for your hearing. For general purposes however, that is not correct. The bridge settles in immediately and completely because the banjo's head is a pliable material and it assumes the shape/contour of the bridge's feet instantaneously. The time delay in noticing and evaluating the sound/tonal diff depends on the user's hearing capabilities, the most common occurrence is not until the next morning. When/while waking up, the brain reboots and all previous hearing "browsing history" is erased during that process. So any info, in this case the bridge's sound/tonal properties, becomes new info and you start on a clean slate when it comes to evaluating your banjo's new tonal profile..
For many years, I loosened the strings to install a new bridge. It seemed to be overnight to hear what I had. I made a tool to lift the strings, under tension, to slide the old one out and the new one into place. This eliminated the wait time to hear what I have. I hear very little change when doing it this way, leading me to believe the way they are installed likely accounts to differing opinions.
quote:
Originally posted by lightgaugeFor many years, I loosened the strings to install a new bridge. It seemed to be overnight to hear what I had. I made a tool to lift the strings, under tension, to slide the old one out and the new one into place. This eliminated the wait time to hear what I have. I hear very little change when doing it this way, leading me to believe the way they are installed likely accounts to differing opinions.
Cool idea bud..
I’ve always just tilted a new bride into place a couple inches in front the old bridge, tilt the old bridge down and out, slide the new bridge into place. Check tune and play. Takes about 20 seconds and no detuning needed. Always tilt towards the neck, so you don’t damage the foreword side of the string slots.
quote:When/while waking up, the brain reboots and all previous hearing "browsing history" is erased during that process. So any info, in this case the bridge's sound/tonal properties, becomes new info and you start on a clean slate when it comes to evaluating your banjo's new tonal profile..
So someone who can tune by ear on one day has to relearn the skill every day? Got it.
quote:
Originally posted by Dean TI’ve always just tilted a new bride into place a couple inches in front the old bridge, tilt the old bridge down and out, slide the new bridge into place. Check tune and play. Takes about 20 seconds and no detuning needed. Always tilt towards the neck, so you don’t damage the foreword side of the string slots.
I fail to see the newlywed connection here.
What's the solution for those that live alone?
Edited by - steve davis on 11/21/2024 07:14:16
If you live alone, and don’t have a new bride to tilt, just leave your old bridge in place, and go buy another banjo
Edited by - Dean T on 11/21/2024 08:25:36
quote:
Originally posted by Dean TIf you live alone, and don’t have a new bride to tilt, just leave your old bridge in place, and go buy another banjo
Kinda like...
Jackin up the radiator cap..
N..slinin a new truck under it... ;0)
quote:
Originally posted by Old HickoryIf break-in, mellowing, or any type of change with use over time happens to acoustic guitars, violins and other instruments that get their sound from vibrating wood, why not banjo bridges? How long does it take? I have no idea. I've never noticed it.
My best guess would be that the other wood components are in a mostly relaxed, static state. A bridge, whether on banjo or fiddle etc., is under compression and receives the brunt of the kinetic energy (vibration), and therefore, more immediately responds without aging. It's a forced, accelerated settling. Still, I think they do change over time somewhat, though not as much as other components like bodies of fiddles and guitars. I think we agree if I read you correctly.
Years ago (when I still made bridges), I had yet another goofy idea, and in my research ran across a study made by some scientists in Taiwan on one or more Stradivarius violins. At the time, I was using a lot of sodium silicate at work in the course of making prototype fuses mostly for EV's, and even got my first and only patent so far (patent). I added melamine formaldehyde to sodium silicate on my own time and did what all the engineers named on the patent with me couldn't figure out - solved the catastrophic failure plaguing all EV main fuses then. Then, I got the big idea to put some of my bridges in a vessel of sodium silicate with additives, apply vacuum, release, and bake. Then, I got divorced and I moved back near The Old Home Place. I've got that old vessel of water glass downstairs in my new place now. I've been thinking about executing some of my old, crazy ideas again. These infused and baked bridges would settle right quick if my instinct is correct.
Edited by - David Cunningham on 11/21/2024 21:24:49
