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 Post subject: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 11:28 am 
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Cocobolo
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Would you make a bridge for a 00 a little smaller than a Dreadnought, or is that over thinking?
Thanks

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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 12:37 pm 
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The Grellier L-00 plans show 1"x6" for the bridge. You could probably go a little smaller if you want to.

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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 2:52 pm 
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Thanks guys.

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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:12 pm 
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Interesting question. I think you could divide it into two parts; mass and footprint.

Could the bridge have proportionaly less mass as the soundboard has surface for sound transferance?

Footprint seems like it would correlate with string tension/scale length. Example: Would 24.9 be enough to warent less footprint than 25.4?

Traditionaly it seems like you see smaller bridges on smaller guitars but Dreads have been made with 6x1's and parlors with big belly bridges. I know that bigger footprint is more insurance.

So, if all else were equal, does anyone have experience or strong opinion?

And Rodger, why do you think you could go smaller?

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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:30 pm 
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Martin historically use 2 bridge designs for these small guitar , the traditional belly bridge and the 1 by 6 rectangular bridge both will work. I personally use the 1 by 6 on the 000/OM and smaller and belly on the 0000 and dred.
Just my preference .

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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 4:41 pm 
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If the guitar is lightly built and will be strung with light or extra light strings the 1X6 inch bridge should work. If you will be using mediums I would go with the belly bridge.


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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 5:58 pm 
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I wouldn't go under 1"X 6". If you're using Cedar or Redwood for the top I'd consider using a full sized "belly" bridge, or at least something with a footprint that's a little bigger.

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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 8:58 pm 
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It's an adirondack spruce top with a 25.4" scale. Also adirondack bracing rear-shifted.

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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:28 am 
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As I understand it (and it could be a myth ) Martin developed the belly bridge when the longer scale and heavier gauge strings became popular because of bridge failures. The longer scale does put more stress on the joint, as does heavier strings - for a given pitch.


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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:52 am 
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Clay S. wrote:
As I understand it (and it could be a myth ) Martin developed the belly bridge when the longer scale and heavier gauge strings became popular because of bridge failures. The longer scale does put more stress on the joint, as does heavier strings - for a given pitch.


It was developed about the time steel strings became popular in the late 1920's to early 1930's, also about the time the 14 fret neck was developed. I believe all the 18+ series 14 fretters had belly bridges but the 17 series 14 fretters had a 1x6 bridge, or it looked like a belly bridge but with the belly sawed off. I am curious why the 17 series had the smaller bridge. Maybe because it was cheaper, and maybe a belly bridge isn't necessary on a mahogany top?

Here are a few pics. First is a 1932 Martin 0-18 with a belly bridge and second is a 1953 Martin 00-17 with straight bridge for comparison.

Attachment:
IMG_4116 (Medium).JPG

Attachment:
martin0017.JPG


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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:31 am 
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When I said a little smaller I meant something like 15/16" x 5 7/8". With that scale length I'd shoot for 1"x6", but I wouldn't toss it if it came out a little smaller. There's the same stress on the footprint as a larger guitar, so going smaller could be risky.

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 Post subject: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:52 pm 
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No consideration for a shorter bridge on a small guitar? You are stiffening a larger percentage of the width of the lower bout. IIRC, I read in Somogyi's (sp?) book that he uses a shorter bridge on a small guitar.

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 Post subject: Re: 00 Bridge size
PostPosted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:39 pm 
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Darryl Young wrote:
...............................I read in Somogyi's (sp?) book that he uses a shorter bridge on a small guitar.



Doesn't Somogyi use a huge bridge (wider than 6") to start with?

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