|
Author
|
Topic: dobro bridge material
|
chris ivey
Member From: sacramento, ca. usa
|
posted 22 March 2006 09:59 AM
profile send email edit
my 75 dobro has two wood bridge saddles which appear to be the stock item....can they be replaced with bone (or ?) to improve the sound? what do the pros use? |
Grant Johnson
Member From: Nashville TN
|
posted 22 March 2006 10:01 AM
profile send email edit
Many folks have switched to an ebony capped maple insert. It is a bit harder and brighter. You can buy these through Beard's on line reso shop or Stewart McDonald. |
Mark Eaton
Member From: Windsor, Sonoma County, CA
|
posted 22 March 2006 10:28 AM
profile send email edit
There are newer materials than that which are getting a lot of talk-check out luthier and outstanding picker Brad Harper's site. If you contact Brad he'll give you the lowdown.Here is a quote from his site, you can find the info in his "Store" section: "Properly profiled and slotted bridges play an important role in the performance of a resophonic guitar. These bridges are hard maple capped with one of three synthetic materials (Corian, Ebonex, Duratone). To my ear, all of the synthetics offered produce a brighter tone than Ebony"
www.dobrology.com Chris, since you are in Sacramento-Forum member Todd Clinesmith is using some of the new caps in his guitars. Todd is up in Humboldt County.
www.clinesmithinstruments.com
------------------
Mark
[This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 22 March 2006 at 10:37 AM.] [This message was edited by Mark Eaton on 22 March 2006 at 10:38 AM.]
|
D Schubert
Member From: Columbia, MO, USA
|
posted 22 March 2006 10:51 AM
profile send email edit
Both of my old Dobros are fitted with bone saddles. IMHO, this was a significant improvement over the original maple saddles or an ebony-capped replacement, in terms of volume. I would also describe the change tone or timbre as an improvement, but that can be more subjective. I would not consider going back to a wooden saddle (unless it was to restore originality for resale). It's relatively easy to experiment with saddle replacement, and it's not permanent. |
chris ivey
Member From: sacramento, ca. usa
|
posted 22 March 2006 11:39 AM
profile send email edit
great..thanx everyone...i may even experiment with some graphtech tusq..
|
Kenny Davis
Member From: Great State of Oklahoma
|
posted 23 March 2006 11:03 AM
profile send email edit
My '75 OMI Dobro had Birch saddles that didn't do much for tone or volume. I had Carroll Benoit make me a new bone nut (taller than original)and maple/ebony saddles. This made a big difference in tone and volume.Recently, I upgraded to a QC-1 cone, American #14 spider, raised palm rest cover plate, and Brazillian Cherry saddles. This was a huge improvement! I'm considering using the Cherry saddles on my Benoit to see how they work on the newer guitar. |
The Steel Guitar Forum
