Ebony bridge

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

Ebony bridge

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>Lutherie >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

El Burdo

Posts: 633
Joined: Sep. 8 2011

Ebony bridge

Hi

Is it OK to make an ebony bridge? I guess the weight would have to be the same as a Rosewood bridge but I like the idea of it balancing the neck, at least in colour and material.

Thanks.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 15:40:56

El Burdo

Posts: 633
Joined: Sep. 8 2011

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to El Burdo)

Hi Jeff

Why don't you look around the web before posting questions like this? Ebony is not considered the best wood for bridges as it's high density tends to absorb vibration unlike rosewood which is generally considered superior, specifically EIR. Some believe that ebony would be ok and indeed I have been reading about an ebony bridge being replaced on a S.Hernandez guitar but the general view is to use rosewood.

So now I have to buy some more rosewood as my little bridge is too small. But in a different dimension to the way the last one was too small, causing me to have to buy this bridge blank. I do have an ebony bridge blank as well. But no parlour guitar.

Jeff.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 16:43:44

Gimar Yestra

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 19 2011
From: The Netherlands

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to El Burdo)

do you always answer your own questions?? lol

_____________________________

www.yestragitaarbouw.nl

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 17:00:48

Gimar Yestra

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 19 2011
From: The Netherlands

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to El Burdo)

also, I wouldnt worry that much on using a ebony bridge, weight wise its not rpefered for classical and flamenco, but have you even looked at steelstring guitars, most highend steelstring guitars have ebony bridges.

also where did you get the idea that ebony absorbs vibrations? or that EIR is considered superior?? honestly EIR is on the bottom of my list of rosewoods.

_____________________________

www.yestragitaarbouw.nl

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 19:00:12

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to El Burdo)

Hey Anders, do you like using EIR rosewood for your bridges?

_____________________________

Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 19:15:13

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Oh yeah, EIR rosewood is my favorite bridge material but I also like Madagascan rosewood.
If the EIR is dark enough then it looks great

_____________________________

Blog: http://news-from-the-workshop.blogspot.com/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 19:16:15

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3026
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

Hey Anders, do you like using EIR rosewood for your bridges?

This thread is freaking me out

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 19:17:12

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3026
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to El Burdo)

Gimar what are you using for the bridge on your flamenca?
I think Brazilian RW is my fave for classical bridges but I always use Indian on flamencos. I would like to try Padauk some time though.

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 19:25:18

El Burdo

Posts: 633
Joined: Sep. 8 2011

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to El Burdo)

Thanks guys, and all your similarly named friends....

I was looking at this site - they seem pretty clear that RW is best....

http://www.delcamp.us/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=53244&start=0

and then I found this one, where a repair is being done on a Santos Hernandez.

http://www.frets.com/fretspages/luthier/Technique/Guitar/Bridges/SHernandezBridge/shernandezbridge.html

I think I've decided to use RW as ebony seems to be an option for people who have developed some skill in working wood. I'm using mdf and and an axe at the moment (but I do want a nice bridge).

Thanks again seriously.

Jeff

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 19:41:06

Gimar Yestra

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 19 2011
From: The Netherlands

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to El Burdo)

@Andy, Im planning to use a piece of madagaskar rosewood to match with the headstock veneer, wich is also madagaskar.

@Jeff dont believe just anyone on the internet, there are more people out there with nice talks and theories but no actualy experience or knowledge

_____________________________

www.yestragitaarbouw.nl

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 22 2011 20:08:54

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Ebony bridge (in reply to El Burdo)

I have used ebony for a few bridges but it doesn't really lend it self well to my style of making. Its high damping properties tends to take out the higher frequencies and rounds the notes a little. Probably not so good for a flamenco guitar in my hands anyway. I had the same thing with some madagascan RW recently. Its was a bit too dense and had the same affect as ebony. I love using BRW for bridges. Indian is also good. I guess I personally prefer a lighter material for the bridges it works for the sound I am looking for.

_____________________________

Classical and Flamenco Guitars www.EdenGuitars.co.uk

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 24 2011 8:50:11