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I am building from an L-00 plan and just finished shaping the bridge. I’m using Jatoba instead of BRW. The bridge is 6” x 1” and a tad beefier than the plan. When I finished it, it seemed light to me, I’ve never weighed a bridge before or used these dimensions though. I know a small bridge like this should weigh less than a Dreadnaught bridge, but is this too light? It comes in at (on my cheap scale) 18g before the pin holes have been drilled. I figured Jatoba is comparable in density to BRW, but I am now second guessing. . . The plan calls for a 3mm maple bridge plate; I’ll be using Osage Orange and can adjust the thickness to gain or lose some mass. What are your thoughts?

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Sounds reasonable given the tiny footprint. I wouldn't worry much if the wood felt solid enough when working on it. If you have other blanks from the same batch left, you could measure the density and let us know.

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Build log

Thanks Alexandru, It is definitely solid enough. It is cut from the same board as the fretboard and slotting it was certainly a chore. I suppose it is just my inexperience with bridges this size (and never actually weighing one). I just wanted to check with the board before I got too far into it. I'd still like to hear any input on the bridge plate. Everything is very light/small on the drawing I have, I know these were lightly built, everything seem so dainty. . .

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

Jatoba has a specific gravity range of 0.71-0.82, air dried weight 56-66 pound per cubic foot.
BRW has a specific gravity range o f0.62- 0.72, air dried weight 48-58 PCF.

From " a guide to useful woods of the world" by Flynn & Holder

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Brian

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

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

I knew jatoba was (on average) slightly denser than BRW, though I didn't realize it was by15%, so I was even more surprised that it was so light. A BRW bridge of this size would be just over 15.6 grams. I'm learning everyday. . . So now I wonder if I should thin down the bridge plate. The plan calls for a 3mm maple plate so an average Osage plate of 2.5mm would be close to the same weight. I know that these are averages and that there is a lot more consider than bridge weight. . . I don't have that many instruments under my belt, so I am trying not to drift too far from success. I guess I shouldn't get too hung up on the numbers, since in the end, I will stop carving braces when the top "feels right" not that I have an abundance of experience to draw from.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.