new bridge on my bowlback

**josie** · Jun-03-2014, 8:29am

I bought a old Washburn a few weeks ago and found a guitar luthier here in Montreal.
http://www.thierryandre.com/

My mandolin needed a new bridge.
Here are some pictures he sent me of is work:

The old bridge versus the new one:

On the mandolin:

I bought new strings too: calace dogal. The luthier says it sounds great.. can't wait to go get it tomorrow.

**Beanzy** · Jun-03-2014, 8:45am

He's got it on the wrong side of the slope though.
Is there a neck problem? People often resort to this to overcome a neck that is on the way out.

**josie** · Jun-03-2014, 8:50am

yes the old bridge was place there a long time ago (the mandoline is from 1917)... the years made it impossible to place at the right place

**Beanzy** · Jun-03-2014, 9:09am

Thought it must be, but if it's been like that for ages then no need for the

: If it was new then it's one of those signs to watch out for/go for light strings on etc. But if it's been like that for ages it's then you can relax.

Here's to another instrument being given new life.
I think it's a triumph for the original builders long gone when people take their work and make it live again.
Wonderful.

**JeffD** · Jun-03-2014, 10:54am

Originally Posted by Beanzy

I think it's a triumph for the original builders long gone when people take their work and make it live again.
Wonderful.

Yep!

**Jim Garber** · Jun-03-2014, 11:10am

Generally, as Eoin notes, Vegas are among the few bowlbacks that have the bridge situated on the tailpiece side of the cant. I assume that your luthier checked the intonation and positioned the bridge in the right position. Otherwise it will not play in tune all the way up the neck.

Nice job on the bridge tho.

**KristinEliza** · Jun-03-2014, 12:18pm

Very seductive curves! It's hypnotizing! I like!

**brunello97** · Jun-03-2014, 8:26pm

The bridge is kind of curious (and pretty cool) with the curving saddle. From Josie's picture it looks the new bridge was placed even further back from the cant than the previous position, judging from the marks on the finish. Makes me wonder if the luthier took into account the neck position, action and intonation when compensating and positioning the bridge.

Jim, I know you are right on about the location of bridge / cant viz Vegas but I have seen enough variation in the relative position of the cant itself, due to loose fabrication tolerances, that have caused the occasional non-Vega bowls to require bridges to 'go South' so to speak for proper placement. Hopefully that is the case with Josie's so that after all this she has a nicely playing, well-intonat-ing mandolin with a cool new bridge, to boot.

Mick