I have a Dotson bridge on one of my banjos that I'm planning on switching out. It's a nice bridge, but to my ear it sounds a little dark and woody compared to what I like. I have had good success with a few Snuffy Smith bridges on other banjos, and I'm hoping it will brighten things up slightly. Any thoughts or experiences?
I had the same experience. Preferred the SS.
It has been my experience that any part of a banjo can change the overall sound. What works well on one banjo may have an entirely different effect on another. The only way to know if you will like it is to try it and find out. Both bridges in question are great but there's no way to know how the new one will sound without giving it a try.
I have Dotson and Scorpion bridges on my two main players. The Dotson replaced a Snuffy, and sometimes I swap back and forth.
I like all three and sometimes I like one better than the other on a particular banjo.
All three are capable of being powerful, clean and bright (but not too bright). I have significant high-end hearig loss, so I actually have no idea how any of my banjos or bridges really sound any more.
quote:
Originally posted by CullodenIt has been my experience that any part of a banjo can change the overall sound. What works well on one banjo may have an entirely different effect on another. The only way to know if you will like it is to try it and find out. Both bridges in question are great but there's no way to know how the new one will sound without giving it a try.
My experience as well. Even with seemingly identical bridges, your banjo may love one but not the other. But when you find the right match up you will know it.
Never met a snuffy I liked
Scorpion on the other hand ??
FWIW, all of the Sniffy Smith bridges I’ve come across have had lower mass than comparable Dotson bridges — the snuffy’s are generally cut thinner in my experience… in theory, more times than not, that might lend a brighter tone. It's worth a try IMO if that's what you're searching for.
This is certainly no golden rule, but if I wanted to push a banjo towards a slightly brighter and more responsive direction, I might try the snuffy first. But I tend to pick pretty heavily (probably overplaying the strings), so if I feel like the tone is falling apart or I want to pick up a bit more warmth/lowend, I might try a Dotson or Sullivan.. the Purcell "countertop" bridges have great volume and on the right banjo something special in the mids... Aztec bridges have a unique, almost "clear?" quality on more than one banjo I've tried them on... never tried a Scorpion (yet!)
And then there’s the occasional surprise — sometimes the snuffy (or Dotson, or other random bridge) just “works”, in complete disagreement with my better judgment. So the moral of the story for me is— acquire a stash of bridges over time and don’t be afraid to try them out — even after you’ve found the perfect one! Cause several times I would’ve sworn I had a banjo dialed it perfectly, having gone through the whole bridge swapping rigmarole… and whether due to variables like head tension or my own tonal preferences changing, I’ll never know. But suddenly, something else is the fabled “perfect bridge”!
Edited by - TimFoster on 02/14/2025 20:29:17
My experience is that I really like the SS, but after replacing it with the Dotson, the banjo started playing even stronger and more open...for now the Dotson stayed there...then I got the Sullivan and it's probably even stronger than the Dotson, but different in color...I'm waiting for the Aztec :-) and we'll see...
The Dotson is my go to bridge. But I like a mellow banjo sound. When I want to make a banjo scream a little, Kat Eyz bridges usually do the trick
You're probably the fourth person to sing the praises of Kat Eyz bridges...I might have to try it...otherwise I won't be able to sleep at night...:-)
Which one to order? Set top or Standard? Maple or birch?
I would recommend a pegged top, McCormick spice factory floor with an ebony top.
That combo always adds some zing to whatever banjo I try it on
Okay, I'll order the McCormick and look forward to the wonderful sound!
Thanks for the tip!
Tried a few different bridges on my banjos and the Purcell bridge has been the best sounding bridges me. Tim Purcell was very good at recommending the bridge he thought would be best for my application.
Yes, the great master...I also ordered one bridge from him...I'm a collector of bridges...I have a box full of them and from time to time I try them again on my banjos. Dotson is currently in charge...:-) I have some of them twice, three times, variously even compensated. I already sell them around Europe for about half the price and give them to friends for free... They cost me a fortune...One bridge from the USA costs me about 75 dollars...but hey, we only live once...I didn't dare offer them back to America...you would think I was crazy...all that's left is this: the photo in the attachment.
Edited by - otto1258 on 02/15/2025 07:15:27
Another vote for Kat Eyz pegged top "Spice" (McCormick factory floor).
I bought relatively light weight one -- 1.9 grams -- quite a while back. My tastes have changed to slightly heavier bridges, 2.1, 2.2. But seeing as my hearing is worse than it was back then, I might try the Ket Eyz again on the banjo I originally bought it for.
My old Gibson RB-100 really came alive with one of the lighter weight Aztec bridges.
Joe
I use Scorpion Bridges on all may instruments....
Looks like I missed a few replies on this one. Thanks everybody.
I did switch my bridge (twice actually) and while the Snuffy did brighten things up, it also thinned things out if that makes any sense. I switched it back to the Dotson after a few days of settling in.
Perhaps I'll try some of the different options you all mentioned in the near future. For now: a lesson in being content :)
Keep in mind that banjos are very adjustable. In order to come to any kind of proper evaluation when testing/comparing bridges:
Accept that your opinion of your NOW-likes/dislikes will most likely be different six months from now.
Welcome to banjo land eh 
It always amazes me how a bridge, such a tiny piece of wood, can have such a profound effect on a banjo's characteristics and performance.
Kat Eyz Prowler Spice bridge is my go to. Mike Smith hand makes these bridges to your specifications if you order from the Kat Eyz website. He will answer your questions and make recommendations as to bridge weight and materials used to make the bridges. He has options available that are not listed on the website. I prefer the non-pegged version because they are not quite as shrill as the pegged bridges IMO. I even have one on my Nechville because it really woke up the banjo.
Edited by - Pick-A-Lick on 03/18/2025 04:46:05
I prefer SS bridges. I recently switched to a thinner bridge because I wanted a crisper sound. It sounded fine when I played alone at home but when I went to play in a jam, it sounded too bright and thin, mainly because I was playing harder. I switched back to the SS in the middle of the jam and I was much happier with the sound.
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