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As I was laying out the bridge location on my current build (only my second) I realized I misplaced the bridge plate. Rather then centering it under the string holes I centered it under the saddle. So it’s about 1/4” off the standard location. There’s still plenty of plate ( 1/8” thick x 1 1/2” wide maple) where the sound holes will go through to protect the top. If I use a 1” wide bridge (pyramid) the lower side of the bridge will line up with the edge of the bridge plate. It’s a 00 size 12 fret short scale. Will this result in any significant issues with sound or structure? Thanks for any help.
David


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As long as the pin holes have enough meat to support the ball ends, you should be fine. You could lighten up on the plate in the future. It does't really need to be that wide for a 1" bridge. And you could thickness down a bit. I use .100 and radius the plate.

So, there is bridge plate under the whole bridge? It should be fine. I once had the bridge plate so far off that I felt it wise to add another strip of bridge plate material up against it, so that there would be bridge plate under the whole bridge. I don't make that mistake any more.

I could add a little width to the bridge in front of the saddle just to add glue surface. Is there a liability to doing that? The saddle to hole relationship would have to stay the same as in a traditional pyramid bridge to keep the bridge fully over the plate. I assume a traditional pyramid bridge has an acceptable break angle.


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I’m no expert, but I make my pyramid bridges 1 1/4” wide instead of 1” wide. I’m not trying to match an historic instrument; just building my own. I think it looks good, and I like the extra gluing surface area.

no need I have seen martins with the front of the bridge off the plate by almost 1/4 in it is more important you have ball end support on the plate

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

How about if the back end of the bridge hangs over the bridge plate? What would be the most overhang that is acceptable? Assuming the ball ends of the strings have good contact with the bridge plate.


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if the pins are secure on the plate overhang is minimal

_________________
John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it