Build a Better Bridge:

[Inspector #20]

I love these roller bridges from Philadelphia Luthier Tools. Fast installation that seldom, if ever, requires adjustment.

I been looking closely at this and trying to find a way to modify the rollers so it can be used on the 12 string side.

Any idea of who could tackle this???

 

[RVA]

I think you need a machinist. Roller bridges are for use with trems and there are not a lot of 12 string trems, if any. I would think it would be a tight squeeze.

 

[Hackmaster]

I think Dons idea is as close as you're gonna get with a 12 string & a TOM.
Just no room for 12 individual rollers.

Bridge saddles for 12-strings

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Was gonna say DonP idea was best ive ever seen.

 

[bea]

I think Dons idea is as close as you're gonna get with a 12 string & a TOM.
Just no room for 12 individual rollers.

Moreover: the strings and their octaves need fairly different compensations. Maybe it would even be better to have a much more simple solution. Something resembling the bone bridge of an acoustic 12 string. And some nut compensation, mainly because this will have the side effect of reducing the amount of compensation at the bridge and thus reducing the intonation error there...

 

[Truss_rod]

I love these roller bridges from Philadelphia Luthier Tools. Fast installation that seldom, if ever, requires adjustment.

I been looking closely at this and trying to find a way to modify the rollers so it can be used on the 12 string side.

Any idea of who could tackle this???

View attachment 12914

View attachment 12915

I like that tailpiece....

 

[kevinpaul]

Robert you are on to something! First thing to keep in mind is the less contact anything has with your strings the better. The butter knife bridges are the worst. I take them off everything and out they go with the cat poop. The thru the body loaders become top loaders. Rollers get stuck and that is ok. Sliding on a smooth surface fine. I am working on some stuff and looking at what is available.
I have use of my friends machine shop but I have nothing to machine yet.

 

[Inspector #20]

I think Dons idea is as close as you're gonna get with a 12 string & a TOM.
Just no room for 12 individual rollers.

Bridge saddles for 12-strings

My idea is to use brass stock an machine twin grooves. I need to take a measurement first.

The roller bridge is the best mod ever. I even found a small pin version for my Gibson.

 

[Inspector #20]

View attachment 13022 View attachment 13023 View attachment 13024 View attachment 13025 Robert you are on to something! First thing to keep in mind is the less contact anything has with your strings the better. The butter knife bridges are the worst. I take them off everything and out they go with the cat poop. The thru the body loaders become top loaders. Rollers get stuck and that is ok. Sliding on a smooth surface fine. I am working on some stuff and looking at what is available.
I have use of my friends machine shop but I have nothing to machine yet.

Yes!

 

[Inspector #20]

I like that tailpiece....

Thanks! Its a custom aluminum claw!

 

[Inspector #20]

I intentionally flip the bridge so the adjustment screws face rearward.

 

[Inspector #20]

View attachment 13022 View attachment 13023 View attachment 13024 View attachment 13025 Robert you are on to something! First thing to keep in mind is the less contact anything has with your strings the better. The butter knife bridges are the worst. I take them off everything and out they go with the cat poop. The thru the body loaders become top loaders. Rollers get stuck and that is ok. Sliding on a smooth surface fine. I am working on some stuff and looking at what is available.
I have use of my friends machine shop but I have nothing to machine yet.

Looks like a Fender Coronado bridge!

 

[WavMixer]

I think Dons idea is as close as you're gonna get with a 12 string & a TOM.
Just no room for 12 individual rollers.

Bridge saddles for 12-strings

Where is Don's idea? I don't see it in this thread.

 

[Inspector #20]

Shown here in antique copper for enhanced detail only, This Schaller #12080200 bridge is ugly and heavy, but is interesting.



Note the adjustable string spacing. A second set of roller wheels could be added, making it useable on a 12 string....

 

[kevinpaul]

It is a rip of a STAYTRIM bride. I'll have it today, I am going put it on my Jazzmaster. But first I want to take measurements and see what else it can be used for.
The only thing at is even close to acceptable for my Jazzmaster is the roller bridge. I am hoping this bridge will fit with no vibration and be of a fair quality. Robert you should see some of the junk I have from the Chinese.
China buys almost all of our recycled crap and they love our pop and beer cans. They make cheap metal products like guitar bridges.

 

[kevinpaul]

Where is Don's idea? I don't see it in this thread.

Grant, I think they are passing notes back and forth.

 

[Hackmaster]

Where is Don's idea? I don't see it in this thread.

Here...
Bridge saddles for 12-strings

Also in post #3

 

[kevinpaul]

View attachment 13039 View attachment 13039 This bridge looked interesting so I bought it. I reduced the length of strings from the tail piece to the neck. That is one of main faults with the Jazzmasters buzzing problems. Getting it correctly tuned and keeping it like that is apart of the bridge failures. I had no idea that these guitars were this hard to deal with. I thing a no movement bridge with make it a good one. It has everything like multiple personalities. It was a great time to play on Friday night but the weirdness started to leak at the end of the night.

 

[Hackmaster]

View attachment 13042 View attachment 13039 View attachment 13039 View attachment 13040 This bridge looked interesting so I bought it. I reduced the length of strings from the tail piece to the neck. That is one of main faults with the Jazzmasters buzzing problems. Getting it correctly tuned and keeping it like that is apart of the bridge failures. I had no idea that these guitars were this hard to deal with. I thing a no movement bridge with make it a good one. It has everything like multiple personalities. It was a great time to play on Friday night but the weirdness started to leak at the end of the night.

Kevin, I agree the Jaguar, Jazzmaster & Mustang bridges are a pain in the a$$.
They are designed to pivot & rock back & forth with the trem.
I've eliminated this rocking on a JagStang that I had by making a pair of sleeves to go into the bridge anchor buckets that just clear the bridge post diameter.
The pointy tip screw still adjusts your action height, but the sleeve eliminates the back & forth rocking motion.

 

[kevinpaul]

Kevin, I agree the Jaguar, Jazzmaster & Mustang bridges are a pain in the a$$.
They are designed to pivot & rock back & forth with the trem.
I've eliminated this rocking on a JagStang that I had by making a pair of sleeves to go into the bridge anchor buckets that just clear the bridge post diameter.
The pointy tip screw still adjusts your action height, but the sleeve eliminates the back & forth rocking motion.

That is true and the one bridge was a non rocking bride. I installed it and I had little buzz. They said to put electrical tape around the legs to stop the rocking. I did that tape mod and the damn thing buzzed worse. The bridge that came today is the fix so said both of my Jazzmaster experts. I have been talking to them on and now off. I will put this thing on and hope for the best. People love these guitars and they be came popular lately and I will figure out why, some day.