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Bridge Height/Neck Angle Inquiry - GUITAR DESIGN WOES
http://luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=18826		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  quips [ Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:33 am ]
Post subject:  Bridge Height/Neck Angle Inquiry - GUITAR DESIGN WOES
Hello,

Is there a wraparound or bridge/stoptail combination that will allow the use of a neck angle compatible with a tremolo bridge? I am guessing that a 0-1 degree neck angle is sufficient for a tremolo bridge design? I'm afraid I can only find non-trem bridges that are slightly too high... The current non-trem bridges I use at the moment are about 14mm in height. I am very interested in the TONE PROS bridge lineup but I cannot seem to find the exact specifications.

I've decided to start working on a new guitar design that might allow use of a tremolo style bridge or a non-tremolo bridge similar to a wrap-around bridge or a bridge & stop-tail combination. I currently design my guitars with horns that extend quite far from the body-neck join and would require planing the surface of the body at an angle similar to the neck angle for cosmetic reasons.

By doing this, I hope I can prepare guitar bodies without worrying about routing out a neck pocket at a specific angle and planing the body angle at the same angle. I can go ahead and carve the body and worry about the type of bridge later!

All input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
David
Author:  TonyKarol [ Wed Sep 17, 2008 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bridge Height/Neck Angle Inquiry - GUITAR DESIGN WOES
IMo David too many things come into play on an electric for you to just build a guitar, then decide afterwards what bridge to use. Since different types of bridges , from strat hardtail and trem version, to a leo quann badass wraparound to a tunomatic are all different in hieghts, the neck angle, or the depth at which the neck is set must change.

I built my last SG style electric using a Gotoh wrap style, approx 11mm high, similar to the PRS bridge. Its about as low as you can get with that style. Any other wrap or stop/tunomatic is higher by about 3mm I think. Depending on the trem bridge, you might find something that will work at the same neck angle, but you will just need to search out different types. Most spec sheets dont give the overall bridge height either, you need to measure them in person (ie the Gotoh or SM catalog doesnt tell you what the heights to the saddle peaks are) or is you need some clearance if its a wrap - like the one I used does need clearance, you cant have it sit on the body or you cant changes the strings .. hey that might be a useful feature for some players !! laughing6-hehe
Author:  quips [ Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bridge Height/Neck Angle Inquiry - GUITAR DESIGN WOES
TonyKarol wrote:
IMo David too many things come into play on an electric for you to just build a guitar, then decide afterwards what bridge to use. Since different types of bridges , from strat hardtail and trem version, to a leo quann badass wraparound to a tunomatic are all different in hieghts, the neck angle, or the depth at which the neck is set must change.

I built my last SG style electric using a Gotoh wrap style, approx 11mm high, similar to the PRS bridge. Its about as low as you can get with that style. Any other wrap or stop/tunomatic is higher by about 3mm I think. Depending on the trem bridge, you might find something that will work at the same neck angle, but you will just need to search out different types. Most spec sheets dont give the overall bridge height either, you need to measure them in person (ie the Gotoh or SM catalog doesnt tell you what the heights to the saddle peaks are) or is you need some clearance if its a wrap - like the one I used does need clearance, you cant have it sit on the body or you cant changes the strings .. hey that might be a useful feature for some players !! laughing6-hehe


Thanks for the quick response, TonyKarol! I was afraid I would have to actually measure each and every bridge possible to find one that might be suitable.
Author:  quips [ Thu Sep 18, 2008 4:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bridge Height/Neck Angle Inquiry - GUITAR DESIGN WOES
Does anyone know the bridge height for the TONEPROS wraparound bridge? It appears to be the lowest profile bridge of that style.

Thanks!
Author:  TonyKarol [ Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bridge Height/Neck Angle Inquiry - GUITAR DESIGN WOES
Hard to tell from the one web site I looked on, but I would guess that its not that low at all .. its still using std mounting studs.

The one I used on the SG is the same as the Gotoh/Wilkinson that SM sells ... but you dont get individual saddles .... thats one way to make them lower in profile, as you dont need the tunomatic style saddle and adjustment bolt/threading. The other that I and some of my students have used is more like the adjustable wraparound that SM sells (similar to a leo quann badass bridge) - its at least 3mm higher.
Author:  John Mayes [ Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:47 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bridge Height/Neck Angle Inquiry - GUITAR DESIGN WOES
I use thew tone-pros bridges and LOVE them. They are a billion times better than the Badass style bridges stewmac sells. Here are the sizes:

http://www.tonepros.com/images/AVT2%20Specs.pdf

Here is one with the AVT2-N

Image
Author:  quips [ Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bridge Height/Neck Angle Inquiry - GUITAR DESIGN WOES
John Mayes wrote:
I use thew tone-pros bridges and LOVE them. They are a billion times better than the Badass style bridges stewmac sells. Here are the sizes:

http://www.tonepros.com/images/AVT2%20Specs.pdf

Here is one with the AVT2-N

Image


Thanks for the .pdf file. 15mm is about the same height as the gotoh/wilkinson wrap bridge sold at SM. I suppose I'll just machine different pickup planes and neck angles to go along with each bridge.
Author:  quips [ Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bridge Height/Neck Angle Inquiry - GUITAR DESIGN WOES
TonyKarol wrote:
Hard to tell from the one web site I looked on, but I would guess that its not that low at all .. its still using std mounting studs.

The one I used on the SG is the same as the Gotoh/Wilkinson that SM sells ... but you dont get individual saddles .... thats one way to make them lower in profile, as you dont need the tunomatic style saddle and adjustment bolt/threading. The other that I and some of my students have used is more like the adjustable wraparound that SM sells (similar to a leo quann badass bridge) - its at least 3mm higher.


I think I am using that very same bridge you use on the SG!
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