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I have a 1922 Gibson A2 with an original patent stamped standard (gapped) bridge. The bridge is tipping forward and has a small crack in it. I am thinking about replacing it with a new Cumberland Acoustic bridge. I am looking for opinions/suggestions about whether to go with a standard base or a full contact base? Thanks. ~o):mandosmiley:
Original parts still .
On either side of A2, I have an 'A' with a full contact bridge (top piece, aluminum).
And an A4 with a 2 footed bridge, all ebony .
So.. you pick , your choice ..
I fit a full contact to all my keepers! I had a very old Gibson once and at the feet there were indentations-well after I fit a full contact the divots/little dents went bye, bye?
My 1916 F-4 is fitted with a 2 foot Loar type bridge w/ pat. date and it sounds really good although I have not compared to a full contact bridge. I can't imagine this mandolin sounding any better. YMMV
Len B.
Clearwater, FL
I made my first full contact bridge in 1996 and few my mandolins later all my new bridges were full contact. I've seen my share of mandolins with hump between the bridge feet either from floppy bridge material, thin top or from bad fitting. Good and well fitted full contact bridge puts even pressure all across the top and can even counteract some older deformation (that was my reason for making the first one). I haven't noticed any sound difference from two footed bridge when I swapped them.
Full contact Cumberland on my '22 A-2. It's a beast now.
Not everyone will agree, but I think full contact bridges make any mandolin sound great, and they never create that "humping" issue in the space between the feet (as there isn't one) Jerry Rosa (Rosa String Works) likes to file the sharp edges off of any foot that touches the top to prevent it from making an impression into the finish.
You can always start with a full contact bridge & modify it to a "two footer" later if you don't like it; 'easier to take away wood than add it...
My Northfield Big Mon has about 15mm wide x 1.5 mm high space under the base and it is as close as you'll get to full contact . The mandolin couldn't sound better. I would recommend that.