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Hey all, I'm trying to be better about data-keeping during builds, so I'm now weighing my bridges. I tend to make them from rosewood, but for aesthetic reasons I've decided to use ebony on my current build. What's a good target weight for an ebony bridge? I try to get my rosewood bridges down around 30-32 g, but the ebony is a bit denser. Right now I'm at 34.15. I figure I'll lose another gram or two when I rout the saddle slot. Any opinions whether this is a good working range?

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

Alot of people use bridges in that range. I rarely use an ebony bridge, but instead dye Rosewood, (or Braz) bridges with black dye, when a black bridge is needed.

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Ken - what size/shape guitar are you building?

Woody - I think rosewood is typically more porous than ebony. When you use rosewood and dye it black, do you use some kind of pore fill or just leave the pores open?

It's my own shape, but it's roughly OM-size, with slightly deeper body.

That's a great suggestion, dyeing rosewood. I wish I'd have thought of that before making a new one from ebony -- I made one from Honduran rosewood that looks great, but clashed with all the warm tones of the burst I did. I doubt I'd have been willing to dye it, though, it's too purty.

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Mountain Song Guitars www.mountainsongguitars.com

For black bridges I like to use African blackwood. A little oil rubbed on will turn it jet black and it has that nice rosewood vibe.

I am also a fan of ABW

Your bridge should work. I like to use maple bridge plates with them on om guitars.

Most ebony bridges I've made have finished up around 30-35g, but a Martin-style bridge can easily get to 40g depending on the board. Think about what you want to accomplish tone-wise and alter the bridge accordingly. Heavier bridges can smooth out harsh trebles, give a slower attack and decay, and add sustain.

Mine seem to run 32-36g on a Grand Auditorium. I also weigh my bridge plates, they are two halfs of the same structure.

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

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