12 string bridge

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Stray Feathers
Posts: 677
Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:39 pm
Location: Ladysmith, BC

12 string bridge

Post by Stray Feathers »

I am about to cut a bridge for a 6-string OM, and have a 12-string coming along, so want to cut the bridge for it at the same time. But I have questions about the 12-string: First, how much larger should I make it than a 6-string bridge? Second, I have seen 12-strings with only six bridge pins, one for each pair. I think John Parchem posted a link here to a nice account of his 12-string which uses a 6-pin bridge. My question is, what keeps each pair of strings apart on the saddle? If a 6-pin bridge is used, can it be the same size as for a 6-string instrument? I am not stuck on this - I may make a 12-pin bridge. But I am intrigued by why a builder would use - or not use - a 6-pin bridge. Bruce W.
sylvan
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Re: 12 string bridge

Post by sylvan »

See http://www.wellsguitars.com/Gallery/Bra ... index.html
You can easily do 6 pins on a 12 string guitar. I personally really like the look as it allowed me to make the same bridge as my 6 strings but 15% larger. So all of my guitars "look" the same. Just map out the spacing for the strings and cut slots in the bridge hole for each string. Remember that the string gauges matter!
Sylvan Wells
Wells Guitars
Bay State Guitars
http://www.wellsguitars.com
http://www.baystateguitars.com
Stray Feathers
Posts: 677
Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:39 pm
Location: Ladysmith, BC

Re: 12 string bridge

Post by Stray Feathers »

Thanks Sylvan - this is really helpful. And a very clever solution to an oversize 12-tuner headstock!
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