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Thanks Andy Birko!
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Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Thanks Andy Birko!
I mentioned in a thread once that I strongly dislike making bridges. Andy sent me a PM asking if I would want to work with him and his new CNC to design and cut my bridges. Well, saying I strongly dislike making bridges is not entirely accurate. I very strongly dislike making bridges. I had a sketch of the design I wanted to make, but I was not successful in my attempts to make the real thing look like my drawing. I added some notes to my drawing and sent it to Andy. Here is that drawing:
Image

Here is one of the mock ups Andy made in Solidworks:

Image

Andy and I spoke a couple of times, emailed several dozen times, and finally Andy was set to cut the first prototype. Here is the prototype cut from scrap wood:

Image

And here is the prototype on a box:

Image

I am more than happy with how the bridge came out. There are a couple of refinements Andy wants to make to the path of the cutter doo-dad, but all in all, I could not be happier with the results. I don't know for sure if any other bridge like this exists, or not, but I am very happy right now. I can't wait to send some real wood to get cut!
Thanks for all of your help Andy!!

Tony
Author:  Lavrov Guitars [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
That's a really sweet looking bridge there Tony!
Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Thank you Maks! I was hoping someone would comment on it!
Author:  NWflyonly [ Mon Jul 16, 2012 11:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Beautiful bridge will Andy be mass producing your bridge work from here forward.
Author:  David Malicky [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Very nice!!
Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:03 am ]
Post subject:  Thanks Andy Birko!
I wouldn't call it "mass producing" at 3 guitars a year, but he is going to make them for me going forward.
Author:  Ken C [ Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:54 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Andy is one of the good guys!

Ken
Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Wed Jul 18, 2012 2:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Thats what I have gathered!
Ken, I would have asked you to help, but at $1500 for a set of kerfed walnut linings, I can't afford you!!
Author:  Ken C [ Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Tony_in_NYC wrote:
Thats what I have gathered!
Ken, I would have asked you to help, but at $1500 for a set of kerfed walnut linings, I can't afford you!!


I would have done a bridge for $750!
Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Thanks Andy Birko!
If only I had known! That's practically free!
Author:  Andy Birko [ Thu Jul 19, 2012 7:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Thanks for the write up Tony. It's fun work to do. Drawing curvy stuff in CAD is always interesting and more challenging than you think but things are coming easier now.

The best part is that now that I know what you're willing to pay....
Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Thanks Andy Birko!
Curses!! Foiled again!

No problem Andy. You have no idea how much I appreciate your help with this. Not $750 per bridge, but a lot!
Author:  Ken C [ Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Glad I could help, Andy!
Author:  Joe Beaver [ Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
That is a distinct and mighty cool bridge [:Y:] [clap] [:Y:]
Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:37 am ]
Post subject:  Thanks Andy Birko!
Thanks Joe!
Author:  Beth Mayer [ Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Classy bridge for a classy banker! Nice work, Andy. Tony, be sure to post a picture of the first guitar with the real thing glued on.
Author:  Darryl Young [ Sun Jul 22, 2012 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Thanks Andy Birko!
Andy did first class work on my fretboard. The bridge looks nice.
Author:  Tony_in_NYC [ Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thanks Andy Birko!
Thanks Beth and Darryl.
If everything goes as planned, I should be using the first real one by the end of September. I hope. I would hate to have to make another bridge by hand!! Did I mention I don't like making bridges? I don't.
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