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Thread: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

  1. #1
    Registered User Pete Martin's Avatar
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    Default Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    Hi all,

    I have a student with I believe to be a 2006 Weber Gallatin with a Brekke bridge. This is a non traditional adjustable bridge where you need an Allen wrench to adjust the action.

    The problem is see is the finger board is arched much more than the top of the bridge. The action on the A and D strings is fine, but the action on the G and E strings is too high. I've never tried adjusting one of these bridges.

    Is there a way to adjust the action on the G and E strings without also altering the action on the A and E? If no, any suggestions? If a new bridge, any suggestions?

    Thanks in advance!!

    Pete

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    Pete Martin
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  2. #2

    Default Re: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    Adjusting the screw on the bass side will lower the bass side, just like on a normal Loar-style bridge. It's not quite as dramatic an adjustment as on a Loar style bridge, but it does work. And you can always reshape the top of the insert, worst case scenario.

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    From the photo, the bridge doesn't appear to be at all well-fitted to the instrument's top. I would consider that Job #1, prior to trying to match fingerboard and bridge insert radii.

    There's a good chance your student could send the instrument to Weber and they would straighten it out for him. In my experience, they're very accommodating folks.

  4. #4
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    Consider contacting Vern Brekke, a member here, or Bruce Weber, Montana Lutherie. They made that bridge, not the current Weber company.
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
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  5. #5
    Registered User Pete Martin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    Anybody have experience and/or opinions on the sound of these type bridges vs more traditional bridges?
    -----------
    Pete Martin
    www.PeteMartin.info
    Jazz and Bluegrass instruction books, videos, articles, transcriptions, improvisation, ergonomics, free recordings, private lessons

    www.WoodAndStringsBand.com
    Jazz trio

    www.AppleValleyWranglers.net
    Western Swing music

  6. #6
    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    I had one a long time ago on a dud of a GoldTone…it improved it a bit, but it was a weak mando that could only get a little better.
    I have the new traditional Weber bridge on both my mandos, and they are both hot rods!
    2007 Weber Custom Elite "old wood"
    2017 Ratliff R5 Custom #1148
    Several nice old Fiddles
    2007 Martin 000-15S 12 fret Auditorium-slot head
    Deering Classic Open Back
    Too many microphones

    BridgerCreekBoys.com

  7. #7
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    Quote Originally Posted by Pete Martin View Post
    Anybody have experience and/or opinions on the sound of these type bridges vs more traditional bridges?
    I like mine fine on my 98 Absaroka. Took off the ‘modern’ wrench adjustable bridge Bruce substituted when I had some other work done because it made the action way too high. Loud but painful to play.
    Not all the clams are at the beach

    Arrow Manouche
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  8. #8
    Registered User Eldon Dennis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    I tried one (all wood with Allen wrench adjustment) several years ago on my 1992 Flatiron Master Model F5 and was very disappointed with it. It significantly reduced the volume and reduced the clarity of the notes to my ear. They may work for some instruments and some folks, but I didn't leave it on my mandolin but a few weeks. The instrument currently has a Cumberland bridge on it that I'm very satisfied with.
    1992 Flatiron F5 Master model
    2009 Weber A model Fern
    2011 Collings MT mandola
    1985 Flatiron 2M

  9. #9
    Bridger Products
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    Default Re: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    Hi Pete,

    I would also suggest contacting Bruce at Montana Lutherie. If the neck has changed it can affect the bridge height so it's possible that your truss rod may need adjustment and he's good at walking people through that process.


    Vern
    Bridger Products

  10. #10
    Registered User
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    Default Re: Weber Gallatin Brekke Bridge adjustment?

    Interesting. I just had one installed on my Pomeroy F5 and it improved the volume and tone. I really like it! The luthier did spend time to fit it perfectly to the mando top which is obviously key to a good result. And the 12" radius of the bridge just happened to match the 12" FB radius of my Pom.
    Pomeroy F5 2003
    Weber Madison F5 2013
    Weber Sweet Pea travel mando 2006
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    Bart Reiter open back banjo

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