High-transfer bridge design

[olrocknroller]

I have been making shavings again, and have built a prototype for a bridge that I believe will transfer more of the strings' energy to the body of the guitar. I recently built a Tele for a friend with no ashtray, and was surprised how different the finished product sounded, exhibiting almost none of the expected Tele tones... Thought about that for quite a while, and came up with an idea to maximize the contact, a la ashtray, but also improve the contact when the bridge is raised for higher action, as many rhythm players do. If my calculations are correct, raising this bridge retains almost as much contact as it enjoys fully lowered...

I have yet to build a guitar for it...that's the next project!

I would appreciate any opinions, especially from those of you who also like to build guitars. I have applied for a patent; we'll see how that process goes!

Here's the link to the photos - http://s1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc372/olrocknroller/2011%20Project%20Guitars/High-transfer%20Bridge/

[TerryTNM]

I must say you've put a lot of thought into this. With the bridge end fixed the tailpiece would move forward or backward to adjust string height. . a very unique way of adjusting the string height. If one side needed to be higher than the other would the tailpiece rotate to accommodate that? Just an observation.

Best of luck on your new design. I'll be looking to see the bridge installed and hear some sound bites. And how it works in actual practice.

Congratulation -Terry

[panther]

That's what I'm talking about. There might be a better way. Keep us posted.
Dan

[JimPage]

Ingenious. As with the best ideas, you take one look and think, "Heck, why didn't I think of that?!?!?"

Good luck!

--Jim

[Veenture]

That looks very smart and cleverly thought out, congratulations



I find your design particularly clever and practical in how the fret board radius is accommodated (if that's the right word) on the stepped upper surface of the top sliding part, allowing the saddles to be of uniform measurement (same height) thereby helping to keep your design as simple as possible and at the same time keeping it 'production friendly' (less costly). Good luck with your 'Shifting Continental Plates' design! (it may yet cause an earthquake!)

[Sarah93003]

I like it!

[olrocknroller]

Thanks for your kind comments all... Especially you Terry, I may have to make some revisions to accommodate that, as both lower plates presently have to remain parallel to one-another to maintain full contact. Of course, the simplest solution would be shims or trimming saddles, but I want to find something a little more elegant...

[panther]

Like Terry mentions, keep it production friendly, I would recommend not cutting saddle height to accommodate the bridge height variation from side to side. You'll figure it out.
Great work.
My comment, that there has to be a better way, just meant that you, like myself look at accepted norm, and say "There has got to be a better way", and looks like you may have discovered it.
Dan

[olrocknroller]

I must say you've put a lot of thought into this. With the bridge end fixed the tailpiece would move forward or backward to adjust string height. . a very unique way of adjusting the string height. If one side needed to be higher than the other would the tailpiece rotate to accommodate that? Just an observation.

Best of luck on your new design. I'll be looking to see the bridge installed and hear some sound bites. And how it works in actual practice.

Congratulation -Terry

Been thinking on this, and I am frankly stuck with two options: 1. Either I taper the base plates lowering the treble side (about 1/32"), or 2. make a set of...are you ready?...shims to stack underneath . The first option will provide a fixed amount of height compensation without compromising energy transfer...the second would allow "finer" adjustment, but I'm concerned about losing transferability of sound in multiple contact surfaces...

Any other ideas would be welcomed!

[Veenture]

...the second [option] would allow "finer" adjustment, but I'm concerned about losing transferability of sound in multiple contact surfaces...

Any other ideas would be welcomed!

If I were to choose, I'd stick to your High-transfer concept as much as possible.