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This is Cameron's description of his new bridge, as posted to the CoMando list on July 31st.
He installed this bridge on a Kimble-built Red Diamond kit.
On July 31st, Cameron wrote:
This bridge has indeed increased the volume of this already great
sounding mandolin. It has quicker response and more powerful/effortless
chopchords. The maple bridge seems to have taken the tonal qualities of this
mandolin and augmented them.
Total length of this bridge is 4 1/8". Each foot is 1 1/4" long. Front
to back width of bridge is 1/4". Saddle part is 5/32". front to back.
I didn't have a scale to weigh it; but will get one for the next maple
bridge I make(soon); and I'll try to make it more like Red's #12. I would
have made this one like #12, but I can't keep up with the new designs!
Also I need to go back and fit the feet a little better; I got anxious to
try it out... I am going to leave more/heavier overhang of the saddle part
on my next attempt, as I feel they might help drive the top as Red has
explained.
The mandolin really vibrates with this bridge; and I put on a
tonegard(didn't want my bod soaking up all that energy) and string-silencers
for below the bridge and above the nut too!
I believe we are witnessing a true evolutionary refinement to the
mandolin with this type bridge. I plan on making many more (looking for a
deal on belt sander and maybe a scroll saw).
This type of bridge is what I was looking for when I made my aluminum
bridge saddles and other bridge/saddle experiments. You owe it to yourself
and your mandolin/mandola/cello to try out one of these bridges. I'm sold on
the maple, but open minded of other materials/woods.
I have a couple pictures of my version of the Henry VIII Power Bridge;a
shot of a hot young picker to watch for;and a bonus dawggie shot at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/cameron0893
Scroll down to "Henry Maple Bridge".
This is a photo of Cameron's bridge, as posted on his website.
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