JLP Bridge Doctor.....

[Metalman]

Yea, I was gone and didn't check that an earlier poster put up the address already. Just look at it as another opportunity to visit the site. :? I wonder if my D-25 can use it as it doesn't have a flat back and is curved? I guess it would depend upon the height of the device. :?:

Doc,

Whether or not the back of the guitar is curved, or flat; doesn't matter. The device attaches to the underside of the bridge plate, then to its own block, then a post travels "through the air" so to speak, and connects, or rather, just touches by a light pressure to the end block. Yes, the post is held in place by just pressure, and that pressure is held tightly by a set screw in the block supplied with the device.
So it never comes in contact with the back of your guitar. By touching the end block, the sound post merely transfers the energy from the bridge plate, down the post, to the end block, and then "fans out" the vibrations to the back, and down the sides.
I have one in each of my guitars. The F-30R has a flat back, the F-30-a curved back. That is not a factor.

Best thing, is look at the site. A picture can speak clearer than words.

Metalman

 

[doc]

Ok, after looking over the situation I am going to buy and try it. It looks harmless enough using the nonscrew method. If it doesn't do anything, then I will sell it on ebay or keep it for a rainy day. I could do worst, such as........I will let you imagination run with that one. Anyone else going for it. Metalman and breedlove guitars have sold me on the idea. Gee.... it is the cost of a good meal out and a movie. Hell, it will be at least that much entertainment just to try it out. The bonus if it works, coool..... 8) Now where is the cheapest place to buy one! 8)

 

[Metalman]

I also don't know why the chicken crossed the road....

I heard a comedian tonight give an Italian explanation why the chicken crossed that road.

"Listen; you don't want to know . . .You didn't see nothin', you don't know nothin' ! Maybe he went to wack another chicken . . ."
:lol:
Sorry, couldn't resist . . .

 

[doc]

Metalman or who ever knows this one: I read that the strings are mounted horizontally after the install. How does it affect or maybe it doesn't the need for downward pressure on the bridge for volume or the other factors that I am not aware of? Instead of the string pressure breaking over the saddle it is across the saddle? Hey maybe I am just a worry wart! 8)

 

[doc]

I just brought a JDL bridge doctor from the inventor of it. I called over to him. He sounded just a good old boy from the south. He answered my questions. I asked him could I buy one from him and he said of course for a total of $52.95 to my door. That is $9.50 cheaper then Steward-MacDonald and hey I am buying from the guy who invented it. He said just send him the check in the mail. Now how many places can you do that now-a-days. Hey he is one of us. Lastly I ask him to autograph it :!: Say someday a curious person will poking around in that guitar and say "there is something written in here" and there will be his name. :lol: I am surprise that no one has thought of guitar art inside the guitar. 8) Lastly anyone that lives in Roswell, NM has got to be out of this world! :lol:

 

[wordlesschorus]

All this talk about the JDL Bridge system is pretty intriguing! I remember when i first started out playing guitar i had the action lowered on my Epi AJ-15, and the guy mentioned that my guitar sounded "boxy" and that it would benefit from the installation of a JDL Bridge System. He even gave me a pamphlet to look at..At the time however i just shrugged it off..but now after having read about it here..it seems that it does improve tone...I did a little research and over at AGF it's a mixed camp with those who praise its benefits, those who say use it as a last resort and those who say it doesnt work at all one guy said something that was equally interesting:

"There are two types of JLD's - one bolts thru the bridge and uses normal bridge pins, the second uses some funky bolts as the pins but does not involve drilling any holes in your guitar.

Because I didn't want to drill any holes in a 25 y.o. Martin, I put the second kind in my 12 strings when the top was pulling up - not only did it not fix the problem it simply didn't work. The string break angle was so shallow that there was almost no pressure on the saddle. I have it in a box if you want it.

The other kind should work - but on another forum one poster split his bridge trying to install it.

In my case the bellied top went along with a loose bridge and a guitar that needed a neck reset anyway. When I got the work done right the Doc wasn't needed."



Anyways, i was thinking about installing the brass pin version myself on my Corona D-25 (Not vintage i know but i just dont want to do something totally permanent on my guitar) but am concerned with the string break issue as mentioned above by another poster in AGF. What do you guys think? Oh btw, here is the thread in question at AGF

http://69.41.173.82/forums/showthread.p ... dge+doctor

 

[doc]

I talk to Don on the phone today and mention the issue with the string break. He said that the way doctor works will accomplish the same thing as the pressure on the saddle, despite that the string break angle is reduced. The pressure from the strings is placed on the pins and is transferred through the bridge doctor instead entirely on the saddle. You can call him and will take the call and talk to you. He is very laid back. I figure the worst that can happen is nothing and then I will just sell it or wait to try it on another guitar. I examined the breedlove guitars and they have the bridge doctor in all of them. You have to ask yourself this question why would noted guitar builder use the bridge doctor on all their new guitars? 8)

Capnjaun you have a good question if it will interfere with an under the saddle pickup. Call Don up and ask him, I bet you a donut that he knows the answer to that one :!: Here are his numbers:

1-888-696-1998
1-505-622-3694 - Don Kendall

 

[paganskins]

Here's an interesting forum posting about the bridge doctor and an ibeam co-existing http://www.tdpri.com/forum/acoustic-heaven/7256-getting-jld-transducer-co-exist.html
However it's quite an old posting and the photo has been removed unfortunately.
I don't know if this would be possible with the removeable version as the bridge doctor is attached through the pin holes and the pickup should be placed using the holes as a guide. Perhaps on a twelve string?

 

[doc]

On subject of pickups, Don the bridge doctor inventor said that pickups are very workable with his device and in fact some people have mounted their pickups on the bridge doctor. Perhaps a free call to him on the topic would be of help. I think he works the best with specific situations. I will be talking to him again. 8)

 

[doc]

I put the bridge doctor in and ...................pass the envelope please..........drum roll.......opens envelope and reads:

It works, the top vibrates with much energy and louder, more mids, more bass and trebles good. The energy difference is very apparent and boarders amazing. The string break angle is only a problem if it is zero or causes buzzing, then adjust the saddle. Now it should get better as it takes time to for the top to relax. I did this after I put it in and was adjusting the tension. I placed my right hand on the belly of my guitar and I could actually feel the tension in the wood as I did adjustments. It had a little belly and now mostly gone. I undid the adjustment and readjusted it about three times so I could feel all the movement in the wood and understand it. I got to run but I can explain the simplicity of the adjustment concept as it is only parallel lines and how the arc change verses the radius as the dowel rod is pulled down accomplished the adjustment almost automatically. Just make sure the rod is as high as the system will allow and then tighten the tension. Then when you bring the rod down to adjust the top the rod length now will push the top straight. You can figure the rest out your self. You can later readjust tension to tweak the tone. All I can say it works, really well for me! If you buy it, buy it from the inventor Don. He will guide you through the whole thing, answer questions, very friendly and patient, and cheaper!
:!: :!:

JLD Guitar Research & Development
PO Box 5764
Roswell, NM
1-888-696-1998
1-505-622-3694 - Don Kendall