Bridge posts -- flat or round??

[bumblebeetwist]

My apologies if this has already been covered in a previous thread...

I'm curious what is the rhyme and/or reason behind some Mosrite bridge posts being flat on top and some rounded? I've seen both with trem's so I'm assuming it doesn't have to do with that. Were the flat-top bridge posts made only during a specific timeframe? And if both types are on rollerbridges, it seems like the grooves on the flat posts would have to be much deeper as the shape doesn't follow a curved roller shape. The rollers on the bridges I have (which are all curved) are nearly level with the contour of the posts.

[Sarah93003]

My apologies if this has already been covered in a previous thread...

I'm curious what is the rhyme and/or reason behind some Mosrite bridge posts being flat on top and some rounded? I've seen both with trem's so I'm assuming it doesn't have to do with that. Were the flat-top bridge posts made only during a specific timeframe? And if both types are on rollerbridges, it seems like the grooves on the flat posts would have to be much deeper as the shape doesn't follow a curved roller shape. The rollers on the bridges I have (which are all curved) are nearly level with the contour of the posts.

It sounds like you're describing the saddles being flat or round on top. The only roller bridges I've seen has rounded tops. I'd like to see one that is a flat top. Can you post a picture? Maybe it's simply a change in vendors back then.

[oipunkguy]

flat saddles:

[Sarah93003]

Cool! I've never seen that bridge before. Now I see what you mean.

[Veenture]

flat saddles:

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/oo57 ... tail-1.jpg

Aren't the strings supposed to go underneath that unscrewable bar sitting just behind the bridge saddles and held down with three screws, in order to keep the strings from popping off the saddles ...or is it holding down the 6 intonation screws?

[GattonFan]

The only flat saddles I've seen are the non-roller saddles, may be what you're referring to. The bar on that pictured exampled is to hold down the bridge intonation screws - it locks them down. Strings go above the bar.
Dennis

[sleeperNY]

The strings go over the bar Paul. If the string posts are machined right it works great for drawing them down tight after you set the intonation. I'm not sure why the rollers are not straight but I bought new ones from Hallmark and now it works like it should.

Jim

[Veenture]

Thanks Dennis and Jim for your explanations.
Dwelling some more on this bridge configuration (with the bar holding down the intonation screws) makes me realize that any potential 'saddle-buzzing' is eliminated since each intonation screw is no longer confined to turn in two fixed screw holes, i.e. now enabling each saddle unit to rest firmly on the bridge plate, improving sustain at the same time! I think this is what you are saying Jim.

[bumblebeetwist]

Here's an example of what I thought was a roller bridge with flat-topped posts...but perhaps this isn't a roller bridge after all..?? It's on a V model currently on Ebay. Were posts like this simply cut with a curved saddle for the strings to rest on? If that's the case you wouldn't get the benefit of the roller but the sound may transfer better through the bridge, like on a Gretsch bar-bridge. On the other hand this wouldn't be that great for palm-muting as the strings look like they pass too far within the post.

[Sarah93003]

That is not a roller bridge and is the wrong bridge for a Mosrite with a tremolo. It belongs on a trapeze tailpiece or stop tailpiece, but is definately the wrong one here.