Rubber bridges

WezV · July 2023

This goes against everything I have wanted from my guitar builds for the last 20 years, but I'm going to have a play with making a rubber bridge or two

First things first - the rubber. It's a Jewelers rubber bench block, very hard - still bounced when posted through the letterbox

These are the guitars I will be playing with.

For both I will do a simple rubber bridge to see how it sounds, just a strip of rubber to replace the bridge/saddles. Then I will try and finesse them into something that intonates, at least roughly

Roland · July 2023

There must be a reason for this?

TTony · July 2023

Roland said:

There must be a reason for this?

My first thought was slightly more succinct.

"Why?"

drofluf · July 2023

Roland said:

There must be a reason for this?

He wants to bring out his inner Aaron Dessner*

a lot of the guitars on Folklore used a rubber bridge. Bit more here: https://reverb.com/news/the-rubber-bridge-guitars-taking-over-indie-music

WezV · July 2023

Sure, it's a very popular thing in modern indie music.

I took a slice off the block and shoved it under the archtop strings.

It has no right to sound decent, but somehow it does. Obviously no sustain to speak of, but it gives a nice warm lo-fi tone straight off the bat.

The main thing I want to know from this is how this rubber holds up to tension before I do more with it. Also seeing the best way to cut and shape it. The bandsaw worked well. I may try the laser on it soon

camf · July 2023

https://youtu.be/ndjgn7YsDsU

camf · July 2023

@WesV Can I have one too?

WezV · July 2023

camf said:

@WesV Can I have one too?

The aim here is to see if I can do a version that works with standard parts.

For example, it would be good to have something that could drop in place of a Tune o matic without modification, or replace the saddles on a tele. Ideally still being adjustable for action and intonation.

camf · July 2023

I’d been pondering putting one on an acoustic. You wouldn’t want to overdo it but I really like the distinctive sound, especially for recording.

HilditchGuitars · July 2023

WezV said:

camf said:

@WesV Can I have one too?

The aim here is to see if I can do a version that works with standard parts.

For example, it would be good to have something that could drop in place of a Tune o matic without modification, or replace the saddles on a tele. Ideally still being adjustable for action and intonation.

How hard is it? Might sound daft, but could you just make rubber 'barrels' to go one screw some how? essentially just replacing what's there?
Like wise for ToM, replace the saddles?

Could be way off but it's my fist thought lol

WezV · July 2023

It's very hard, but I want to see how it wears.

I don't think individual TOM saddles would have enough strength, so I'm thinking of a rubber topper on a solid base.

As an example, Waterslide guitars make this.

HilditchGuitars · July 2023

There you go, something like that.
Cool stuff

Kittyfrisk · July 2023

WezV said:

It's very hard, but I want to see how it wears.

I don't think individual TOM saddles would have enough strength, so I'm thinking of a rubber topper on a solid base.

As an example, Waterslide guitars make this.

Mmmm... liquorice bridges

Kittyfrisk · July 2023

Being slightly serious, might not a black hot glue stick (7mm) do a similar job to the Waterslide effort?

WezV · July 2023

I'm not sure it would be hard enough, or stay that way on a warm stage.

barnstorm · July 2023

WezV said:

I don't think individual TOM saddles would have enough strength, so I'm thinking of a rubber topper on a solid base.

Have you seen Jake Wildwood's work? Worth a look for some ideas. The bridges are quite ugly, but they seem to work.

Also saw the other day that someone (didn't register who and it would take ages to go back and find the post!) is making a neatly machined, magnetic, rubber mute that snaps on top of the saddles to achieve the same sort of effect.

WezV · July 2023

I hadn't, but shall take a look.

I will say my 2 minute experiment with a block of £10 material has already given pretty impressive results.

Kittyfrisk · July 2023

WezV said:

I'm not sure it would be hard enough, or stay that way on a warm stage.

Possibly, but if you are gigging at ambient temperatures consistently above 70°C then you have my respect

Funkfingers · July 2023

That jeweller's pad material ought to make excellent string mutes for RIC 4001 and older Musicman Stingray bass guitars.

Kittyfrisk · July 2023

barnstorm said:

WezV said:

I don't think individual TOM saddles would have enough strength, so I'm thinking of a rubber topper on a solid base.

Have you seen Jake Wildwood's work? Worth a look for some ideas. The bridges are quite ugly, but they seem to work.

Also saw the other day that someone (didn't register who and it would take ages to go back and find the post!) is making a neatly machined, magnetic, rubber mute that snaps on top of the saddles to achieve the same sort of effect.

Rubberised magnets like those used in pickups, fridge magnets etc. should do. No?

WezV · July 2023

Kittyfrisk said:

WezV said:

I'm not sure it would be hard enough, or stay that way on a warm stage.

Possibly, but if you are gigging at ambient temperatures consistently above 70°C then you have my respect

Give them a go and let us know if it works

barnstorm · July 2023

Kittyfrisk said:

barnstorm said:

WezV said:

I don't think individual TOM saddles would have enough strength, so I'm thinking of a rubber topper on a solid base.

Have you seen Jake Wildwood's work? Worth a look for some ideas. The bridges are quite ugly, but they seem to work.

Also saw the other day that someone (didn't register who and it would take ages to go back and find the post!) is making a neatly machined, magnetic, rubber mute that snaps on top of the saddles to achieve the same sort of effect.

Rubberised magnets like those used in pickups, fridge magnets etc. should do. No?

Maybe? I don't know what's available off the shelf and how 'shapeable' it is, or how strongly magnetised. This gadget was made to get the rubber pads in the right place with the right downward pressure on the strings, and the whole thing was slim so as not to get in the way of your picking hand.

Kittyfrisk · July 2023

barnstorm said:

Kittyfrisk said:

barnstorm said:

WezV said:

I don't think individual TOM saddles would have enough strength, so I'm thinking of a rubber topper on a solid base.

Have you seen Jake Wildwood's work? Worth a look for some ideas. The bridges are quite ugly, but they seem to work.

Also saw the other day that someone (didn't register who and it would take ages to go back and find the post!) is making a neatly machined, magnetic, rubber mute that snaps on top of the saddles to achieve the same sort of effect.

Rubberised magnets like those used in pickups, fridge magnets etc. should do. No?

Maybe? I don't know what's available off the shelf and how 'shapeable' it is, or how strongly magnetised. This gadget was made to get the rubber pads in the right place with the right downward pressure on the strings, and the whole thing was slim so as not to get in the way of your picking hand.

I don't know either, but fair play to you for not dismissing that which you don't know or aren't certain of

WezV · July 2023

archtop bridge 2 - a rubber topper on wooden bridge plate. I added some basic intonation

Winny_Pooh · July 2023

Looking good, sounding better?

WezV · July 2023

It still gives the right sound, but obviously allows for more set up adjustment.

From here I can potentially add a radius to the wooden section, then glue the rubber to that.

The strings cut into the rubber a bit. Apparently this is okay, some even wanting them fully buried in it. I'm not sure yet. I think they may cut less when using the smoother face of the rubber.

Roland · July 2023

Could you let something into the rubber at the points where the strings contact? Maybe a small diameter dowel. Alternatively harden the contact point with CA glue?

WezV · July 2023

Also, tried laser cutting the rubber. It didn't quite make it through the full thickness.

It cuts fine with a sharp knife though, so may stick to that.

Needs to be prettier too. But the material tests are telling me what I need to do next

WezV · July 2023

Roland said:

Could you let something into the rubber at the points where the strings contact? Maybe a small diameter dowel. Alternatively harden the contact point with CA glue?

Maybe. I'm curious what will happen if I just flip it upside down and have wood side up.

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Rubber bridges

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