I Built Me A Bridge

[lbpesq]

So, with encouragement from a few fellow Alembicians (see my Alligator thread), I’ve been messing around with making an Alembic/Stars 1970s style brass channel bridge.   It has certainly been an interesting journey.  No one gave me any instructions, I’ve been figuring this out as I go.  Also, I have no training or experience in metal fabrication.   I’m using a dremel and a small desktop drill press.  I’ve had several outright failures, along with a few semi-successes.  Each time I’ve learned a little more.  Today I completed the first bridge that I feel good enough about to share it with the world.   Here it is:


Bill, tgo

[David Houck]

Looks good!

[cozmik_cowboy]

I'd put it on my guitar; well done!

Peter

[peoplechipper]

nice job! welcome to metalworking!

Tony

[paulman]

Really excellent Bill!  You've answered the age old Led Zeppelin question of:  Have you seen the bridge?

[edwardofhuncote]

Very Well done Bill. If I can ask a nose-y question, did you make the saddles from flat stock and tap for threads, or were you able to source these already in this format and build the rest of the bridge back to them? (so-to-speak)


I'd been contemplating a channel-type bridge adaptation for my Activator-caster build, incorporating a brass plate bridge pickup surround (so it was kinda' reminiscent of a Tele bridge) but had a stoptail too instead of a string-through-body approach. I have a couple Alembic channel bridges to go by, and the shop tooling to pull it off. Patience and time, maybe not as much... especially those little saddles. I'm guessing you'd have to drill/tap first, then cut/shape each one individually. Ugh. 

[pauldo]

Where's that confounded bridge!  :-D

That looks super professional.  As long as you finish the project with all 10 fingers you are doing things right.

[growlypants]

Nice job!!

[dela217]

That looks great!   

[gtrguy]

Great job! As one who has access to lathes and milling machines, I am impressed by what you have done!

[kenbass4]

It looks like it has too many saddles, and it's kinda small...
Great work Bill, looks great!


( I'll show myself out now...)

[lbpesq]

Very Well done Bill. If I can ask a nose-y question, did you make the saddles from flat stock and tap for threads, or were you able to source these already in this format and build the rest of the bridge back to them? (so-to-speak)


I'd been contemplating a channel-type bridge adaptation for my Activator-caster build, incorporating a brass plate bridge pickup surround (so it was kinda' reminiscent of a Tele bridge) but had a stoptail too instead of a string-through-body approach. I have a couple Alembic channel bridges to go by, and the shop tooling to pull it off. Patience and time, maybe not as much... especially those little saddles. I'm guessing you'd have to drill/tap first, then cut/shape each one individually. Ugh. 

I used brass stock, cut it down, flattened the bottom, tapped it for the screw hole, and used a dremel and sandpaper to form the saddles.   Getting the tapped hole in each saddle in the right place is probably the most difficult step.   If I were doing this for a new build, I would start with a wider channel to allow for a wider range of saddle adjustment.   Since I’m using this in another Alligator build, I stuck with the original width channel.

And thanks for the positive thoughts, everyone.

Bill, tgo

[rv_bass]

Very cool, Bill, nice work! 

[Rift27]

What awesome work! I would be very interested in one of those beautiful bridges!

[sonicus]

Bill ,  In my best Gilligan response ; "LIKE WOW MAN ! " . Quite exemplary !