Bridge Plate Grain Orientation

Metalone72 · Post by **Metalone72** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:37 pm

I have purchased a few quarter sawn maple bridge plates from a reputable supplier and was wondering what the proper grain orientation should be for the bridge plate. Should it be directly perpendicular to the top (1) or should it be canted slightly (2)? I was thinking that it should be canted (on an angle) slightly to resist fracture on along a grain line. Does this make sense? I attached a crude picture to explain what I am talking about.
Thanks,
Scott

tippie53 · Post by **tippie53** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 7:46 pm

I like a slight angle to get the pin holes out of line to a specific grain line

Metalone72 · Post by **Metalone72** » Sun Mar 08, 2015 10:49 pm

That is what I was thinking as well. Thanks for the reply John.

MaineGeezer · Post by **MaineGeezer** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 6:24 am

I made mine with the front and back edges curved to eliminate straight-line stress concentration points, as shown in the link below.

I think the idea of angling the grain slightly would further help distribute the load.

download/file.php?id=6892&mode=view

B. Howard · Post by **B. Howard** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:32 am

I prefer flat sawn to quarter sawn for my bridge plates.

ruby@magpage.com · Post by **ruby@magpage.com** » Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:07 pm

I believe I read on Frank Ford's site that he likes to run the grain parallel to the bass side of the X. I tried it:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/ruby1638/ ... 6344222304

Ed

www.KitGuitarsForum.com

Bridge Plate Grain Orientation

Bridge Plate Grain Orientation

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