Bridge question about old stella guitar.

[jerime]

I have a old stella acoustic that I want to replace the bridge with something adjustable. About the only thing I've seen is archtop adjustable bridges. I'm worried that this may not fit right on the top and won't put even pressure across the top. Anyone have any ideas on possible modifications or if there are other products out there?

[iteleu]

I have not seen many adjustable flat top bridges..The adj arch top bridge works by tansfering vibration through the posts down to the ends of the arch and into the tone bars..but the best acoustic arch top tone will come from a solid non adj bridge.. I'm not saying you can't sand a adjustable arch bridge down flat and it won't work.But,a flat solid bridge will sound better..

[AK47]

I have not seen many adjustable flat top bridges..The adj arch top bridge works by tansfering vibration through the posts down to the ends of the arch and into the tone bars..but the best acoustic arch top tone will come from a solid non adj bridge.. I'm not saying you can't sand a adjustable arch bridge down flat and it won't work.But,a flat solid bridge will sound better..

 

+1:thu:

 

You can always rig something to work but your best tone will come from a nonadjustable bridge. Why do you feel you need an adjustable bridge. A good setup and it should play good and not need any adjustment. Gibson made adjustable bridge guitars in the 60s. They had a rep for being the worst sounding Gibbys ever. Many owners of these guitars payed techs to replace these bridges with traditional bridges which made these guitars sound alot better.

[jerime]

Well I just thought the adjustable bridge would be nice, basically just because. The guitar has a chrome tail piece that the strings connect to so a traditional bridge won't really do. I've seen some people use a classical guitar bridge for this. Do you think that might be my best option?

[Tony Burns]

Definitely do not use an adjustable bridge, their what you want for an electric Archtop , like an old Gibson ES series, etc- but no to acoustic only - the sound transmission is very poor, really good music stores sometimes have assorted parts for guitar like inexspensive bridges like in your situation - or better than what you might have , you could also make your own out of a scrap piece of rosewood or Ebony which might be better than your stained black Stella moveable bridge !

 

Im also sure a pro could do this and improve it sound , but you have to think about wether this guitar is worth the investment - some are not .

[jerime]

No, I don't think the guitar is worth it. I've decided that this guitar is basically my experimental guitar. I'm thinking about mounting a electric pickup up by the neck also.

[AK47]

If this is an experimental guitar by all means experiment. Be careful making changes you can't reverse if you decide you don't like it. Experimenting can be a fun and learning experience.

Enjoy