Has anyone used this bridge?

[glenklein]

I was strolling eBay and found this bridge -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400192985361?ss ... 265wt_1049.

I haven't see this type of bridge being used on an acoustic. Has anyone else seen/used it? How did it work out? One, I'm not sure if I like the idea of my string nuts showing and two, what kind of weird stress would this put on the soundboard?

Thanks - Glen

[Dave Bagwill]

The pinless bridge is used by a number of builders - Mike Doolin comes to mind, and George Lowden. The ball end of the string fits into a little groove on the back of the bridge and is not very noticeable.

[ken cierp]

Lowden (very high end) and Ovations has been using pin-less bridges for many years -- no weird stress issues, however the glue joint obviously has to be perfect. As a precaution I'd soak the string holes with CA thin glue this will help eliminate splits along the grain. Note also, that bridge design has two screw holes --- extra weight, the screw heads get covered with pearl dots.

[Dave Bagwill]

An odd place for screws? What were they thinking?

[glenklein]

yeah... the screws between the strings even. Probably to keep the bridge from tipping forward under tension? Not sure I'm quite diggin' this particular bridge.

[Tim Benware]

Lowden (very high end) and Ovations has been using pin-less bridges for many years -- no weird stress issues, however the glue joint obviously has to be perfect. As a precaution I'd soak the string holes with CA thin glue this will help eliminate splits along the grain. Note also, that bridge design has two screw holes --- extra weight, the screw heads get covered with pearl dots.

The extra "deadening" (IMO) weight is what I don't care for. I just fabricated a similar one for a 1950's Synchrotone with the screws on the wings. I like the looks but don't care for the hardware.

[Ken Hundley]

I like the looks of the pinless bridges, but don't have either the tooling or the confidence/experience with my own tools to have successfully made one. My string holes always seem to wander while drilling them. I think the advantage to the pinned bridges is that the ball end of the string keeps the strings pulling on the bridge plate, rather than solely on the bridge. Would be interesting to do a slotted pinless bridge where the strings come up through the soundboard, essentially providing the same contact, but without pins. I guess that would mean you need to be able to get your arm in the guitar while it is strung up. Maybe relocate my side sound hole towards the lower bout? Would lend music to my smelly armpits anyway.