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Does anyone make these? Can you just use a regular one and tilt it? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Ed

Something like this:

Hi.

The problem with turning a standard bridge is that the string spread would narrow too much as the angle increased.

I'm making a tele-type 7-string multiscale bridge, similar to the one shown, that will use standard tele saddles, for multiscales with a ~1.5" scale range (24.75-26.25" or 25.5-27" etc..). I'll keep you posted as it develops.

BTW, if anyone has some advice for me prior to my going into production, please let me know.

Bucky

Cool, Bucky. You should definitely document your 7 string build here.
I get what you are saying about tilting the standard bridge. I think I will buy some graph-tech saddles and try and make the base myself with metal. I wonder would 24.75"-26.25" be good for a Tele style guitar?

Will that be a good tele range...? Well the 3 middle strings will be ~25.5", which is a good start. My guitar will be nothing close to a tele, sonically. (Perhaps I should document it here...)
I'm choosing a tele bridge to manufacture because of the need & simplicity. If there's some interest, I'll pursue a Tune-o-matic style and Floyd replacement block.

I would be interested in 7-string versions and 8-string versions as well.

The problem with a "one size fits all" single-piece multiscale bridge is that different folks use not only different scale offsets (1.5 to 2" on a 7, more on an 8), they also put the perpendicular fret at different places, and this changes up the angle of the bridge. To me, flexibility is the beauty of the single-string version of the bridge that holds a Tele or Strat saddle.

IMO the longer you make the bridge plate, and the longer the saddle screws you use, the more multiscale designs you would capture.

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

I should of just started a "multiscales for dummies" thread too.

So how do you determine what angle you are going to place the nut and the bridge at? Do you have them both at the same angle? (mirrored I mean)

You basically have to choose the inner and outer scale lengths and the taper between them (based on saddle and nut string spacings), and decide which fret will be the one perpendicular to the centerline (the "perp"). The "perp" joins the outer scales to each other, and everything else falls into place.

You basically have to draw it out on paper or CAD - the bridge and nut angles will be an outcome of your choice of scale lengths and "perp" fret. My first multiscale was an 8-string with the "perp" at #12 - so the fret layout was basically symmetric on either side of #12 and the nut & bridge angles *almost* the same (*but not quite after accounting for string compensation).

But IMO having the "perp" at #12 makes the nut angle a bit too sharp, so I now prefer a "perp" fret at #7.

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

Thanks for the help Erik. I still do not understand why you can place "the perp" anywhere you want... I thought you would just select your two outer fret spacings and connect the dots so to speak. I must be missing something...
Say the top is in a static position, is it because you can move the bottom scale anywhere along its parallel plane?

http://www.oaklandaxefactory.com/fretsandhardware.html

Apparently, someone already makes one... sort of.

Single bridges available from http://bestbassgear.com/single-string-bass-bridges.htm. Others are cheaper but I have had problems with some of the imports. Metal fatigue the first time I tried to tighten.



Greg N

Greg that bass is absolutely gorgeous! Holy moly!

I am just going to try making my own, its for a contest so I cant afford an expensive bridge in the $200 budget.

Why thank you. It was custom built for Arthur VonNagel of Cormorant. http://www.myspace.com/cormorantmusic Spruce through neck with CF re-enforcement, curly redwood back and cherry top. The concept was "Time" so the pocket watch in the head stock works if you wind it (and he does).

$200? That's the limit you can spend? I would be hard pressed but it can be done. My clients will spend that much on one pickup!

Greg N

Yeah, the $210 budget is pretty tight, but not nearly as bad as last years $100.
Here is the incomplete budget so far... some of the things are a bit more then I will actually spend on ebay like the tuners. It is going to be a modified tele shape, carved top with f-holes (I hope!).

S.D. Jazz Pickup - $65.00
Gotoh Tuners- $67.00
Graph Tech Saddles- $32.00
Ebony F.B.- $ 5.00
Ebony Bindings- $ 5.00
G.T. Nut- $ 8.00
2 Pots- $ 4.00
String Tee- $ 3.00
Fretwire- $ 8.00
Drop top- Free

Total- $196.00

I have a few customers that build multiscales and they use this bridge http://www.allparts.com/ABM-Single-String-Bridge-Chrome-p/sb-5500-010.htm however they are currently on backorder.

they look like this



I also build multiscale pickups for them... like these



My friend Dave uses the ABM bridges and my pickups -
finished product can be seen here at

http://dsguitars.ca

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