Larger bridges on old dreads?

[brian f]

I have a 1970 D40 that I am replacing the bridge on. I can't tell if the existing bridge was replaced once already, or just sanded down (I know it was sanded down). The bridge that I removed was longer than all the other guild bridges I have seen, and longer than the pre-made replacement I have.

So, my question is (this may be one for Hans), was this larger bridge replaced already, or was it original?

All of the guild bridges I have seen are 6" long. This one is 6-5/8", and it is slightly wider too (from front to back)...see pic.
Makes sense to have it "slightly" larger in a replacement scenario, but why have it more than a full 1/2" longer ??

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd35 ... CF0001.jpg

The top bridge in the pic is the one I pulled off the d40. they bottom one is a potential replacement (6" variety).

Some of the pics I have seen of vintage dreads seem like they may have a slightly larger bridges. ? ?

I'd like to replace as close to original size as possible.

Thanks for any help with !

 

[brian f]

I have a 1970 D40 that I am replacing the bridge on. I can't tell if the existing bridge was replaced once already, or just sanded down (I know it was sanded down). The bridge that I removed was longer than all the other guild bridges I have seen, and longer than the pre-made replacement I have.

So, my question is (this may be one for Hans), was this larger bridge replaced already, or was it original?

All of the guild bridges I have seen are 6" long. This one is 6-5/8", and it is slightly wider too (from front to back)...see pic.
Makes sense to have it "slightly" larger in a replacement scenario, but why have it more than a full 1/2" longer ??

http://s221.photobucket.com/albums/dd35 ... CF0001.jpg

The top bridge in the pic is the one I pulled off the d40. they bottom one is a potential replacement (6" variety).

Some of the pics I have seen of vintage dreads seem like they may have a slightly larger bridges. ? ?

I'd like to replace as close to original size as possible.

Thanks for any help with !

 

[hansmoust]

I have a 1970 D40 that I am replacing the bridge on. I can't tell if the existing bridge was replaced once already, or just sanded down (I know it was sanded down). The bridge that I removed was longer than all the other guild bridges I have seen, and longer than the pre-made replacement I have.
So, my question is (this may be one for Hans), was this larger bridge replaced already, or was it original?

Hello Brian,

The bridge that you are replacing was already a 'not historically correct' replacement. The reason why it's longer is because the original bridge was that long.
Guild bridges went through a lot of changes. One of the changes that took place around 1970 was the change from 'through' saddle to 'drop in' saddle.

Just before the change a Guild bridge would have looked like this:
(I'm using Jahn's photo from an earlier F-47 thread)

By the end of the '60s the Guild bridges on a similar guitar would look like the bridge on the left. Notice the 'drop-in' saddle slot.

These bridges were still fairly thin and didn't allow for much adjustment in height.
Around this time most of the acoustic models were re-designed, which included a somewhat sharper neck angle. This called for a bridge with slightly more mass and in the process of making it a little taller the bridge blank became a little shorter. The end result was the bridge on the right which is the style that was used all through the '70s. As you can see it is a lot shorter and not a good replacement for your D-40 from 1970.

I'm not sure how much 'oversized' the replacement bridge that came on your guitar D-40 already is, but if you need a more 'correct' style bridge you have to start with the original design (the one pictured on the left) and go from there.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[hansmoust]

I have a 1970 D40 that I am replacing the bridge on. I can't tell if the existing bridge was replaced once already, or just sanded down (I know it was sanded down). The bridge that I removed was longer than all the other guild bridges I have seen, and longer than the pre-made replacement I have.
So, my question is (this may be one for Hans), was this larger bridge replaced already, or was it original?

Hello Brian,

The bridge that you are replacing was already a 'not historically correct' replacement. The reason why it's longer is because the original bridge was that long.
Guild bridges went through a lot of changes. One of the changes that took place around 1970 was the change from 'through' saddle to 'drop in' saddle.

Just before the change a Guild bridge would have looked like this:
(I'm using Jahn's photo from an earlier F-47 thread)

By the end of the '60s the Guild bridges on a similar guitar would look like the bridge on the left. Notice the 'drop-in' saddle slot.

These bridges were still fairly thin and didn't allow for much adjustment in height.
Around this time most of the acoustic models were re-designed, which included a somewhat sharper neck angle. This called for a bridge with slightly more mass and in the process of making it a little taller the bridge blank became a little shorter. The end result was the bridge on the right which is the style that was used all through the '70s. As you can see it is a lot shorter and not a good replacement for your D-40 from 1970.

I'm not sure how much 'oversized' the replacement bridge that came on your guitar D-40 already is, but if you need a more 'correct' style bridge you have to start with the original design (the one pictured on the left) and go from there.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[West R Lee]

Good stuff Hans, I learn something everyday here.

West

 

[West R Lee]

Good stuff Hans, I learn something everyday here.

West

 

[brian f]

Yes Hans, Immensely helpful. Thank you! This is what I thought after looking at many pics online, but its always a plus to hear it from the authority. Looks like I get to make myself a new bridge. It'll be a while, but I'll try to post pics when done.
-B

 

[brian f]

Yes Hans, Immensely helpful. Thank you! This is what I thought after looking at many pics online, but its always a plus to hear it from the authority. Looks like I get to make myself a new bridge. It'll be a while, but I'll try to post pics when done.
-B

 

[hansmoust]

Looks like I get to make myself a new bridge. It'll be a while, but I'll try to post pics when done.
-B

Hello Brian,

Had to do quite a few repros in the past and they are a lot of fun to do.
Send me a PM with the exact size of the footprint and I might be able to come up with a good picture from which you could make a work drawing, so all the dimensions will be close enough to make it look as original as possible.

Are you going for a neck reset as well with a slightly beefier bridge or do you want to keep the original low profile bridge?

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[hansmoust]

Looks like I get to make myself a new bridge. It'll be a while, but I'll try to post pics when done.
-B

Hello Brian,

Had to do quite a few repros in the past and they are a lot of fun to do.
Send me a PM with the exact size of the footprint and I might be able to come up with a good picture from which you could make a work drawing, so all the dimensions will be close enough to make it look as original as possible.

Are you going for a neck reset as well with a slightly beefier bridge or do you want to keep the original low profile bridge?

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl