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Schroeder
11-29-2007, 09:03 PM
New Cool Bridge Retrofits at Schroeder!

Here are a couple cool projects that we have done recently here in the shop. This first instrument is a Hernandes 1A nylon string classical that a client of our brought into the shop retrofitted (POORLY) with the Buzz Feiten Tuning System.
Here at Schroeder we have a Level B or Level 2 Certification with Buzz Feiten, which basically means in addition to retrofitting electric instruments, we are also certified to retrofit this system to virtually any stringed instrument, be it Steel String Acoustic, Classical, Bass, whatever. It takes a much higher skill level to be able to do these instruments, and especially with the Steel String Acoustic, because it requires a great deal of modification to the instrument (plugging and recutting the saddle slot in a new location to perfectly intonate. For those of you that would like a more in depth explanation to the whole Buzz Feiten tuning system, you can check out their website.

Anyways, with the classical retrofit, it is not nearly as huge of a modification to the actual instrument because instead of moving your saddle slot location, you are provided with a saddle specially designed by Buzz Feiten that is shaped like a 'T' with intonating shelfs on the front and back of the saddle. It takes a large amount of skill, intuition, and training to properly fit and shape the saddle for perfect playing and intonating, and this instrument turned out great!
When it first came in with the old saddle in place, the bottom of the saddle wasn't even resting in the slot beacause it had been shaved way to low and the actual shelf of the saddle was resting against the top of the bridge which was causing immense amounts of unattractive buzzing and loss of sound. We replaced it with a new one and couldn't believe the difference in sound quality - this took an instrument that was okay and annoying to an instrument that is one of the best sounding nylons to come through our shop. Check it out!

Schroeder
11-29-2007, 09:05 PM
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc176/schroederguitarrepair/IMG_9433.jpg

Schroeder
11-29-2007, 09:08 PM
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc176/schroederguitarrepair/IMG_9434.jpg

Schroeder
11-29-2007, 09:09 PM
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc176/schroederguitarrepair/IMG_9436.jpg

Schroeder
11-29-2007, 09:09 PM
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc176/schroederguitarrepair/IMG_9437.jpg

Schroeder
11-29-2007, 09:10 PM
(this is the old saddle that was removed, unfortunately it doesn't look as bad when it's not on the instrument and in the slot, but you can imagine by the difference of the final product just how substantial a difference there was)

http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc176/schroederguitarrepair/IMG_9439.jpg

Schroeder
11-29-2007, 09:11 PM
Here is a new bridge retrofit for electric instruments with Bigsbys that we are
pretty excited about. It has always been a problem finding the perfect bridge for a bigsby style instrument because of tuning issues, intonating, etc. Normal ABR1-style bridges have the solid saddles, so when you hit the bigsby, it sends all the strings out of tune because of the difference of tension that results from the strings being pulled on either side of the bridge, which is why you want roller saddles - however - almost no manufacturers make a roller saddle bridge with the capabilities of also intonating.
Eureka! Here is the solution. This is a Wilkinson bridge that we first found being used on a Trussart tele-style instrument with a Bigsby. After much deliberation, experimentation, and searching, we were able to find a distributor and have tested it out on a few instruments already. It is one of the best solutions we have found for a Gibson-Style instrument especially, but can be used with others such as teles or anything else practically that uses a tuneamatic style bridge.
The only catch is that it does require modification of the instrument, as the bridge studs for it is more than likely much larger than what is currently in it. For example, a standard les paul that usally has an ABR-1 Tuneamatic on it has a threaded bridge stud an 1/8" in diameter going into the top. The studs that mount into the top for this bridge are nearly the size of a nickel. Some Nashville-Style Tuneamatics that you'll find on semihollows such as 335's you can sometimes mount to the studs already in the instrument.http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc176/schroederguitarrepair/IMG_9447.jpg

Schroeder
11-29-2007, 09:12 PM
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc176/schroederguitarrepair/IMG_9443.jpg

Schroeder
11-29-2007, 09:13 PM
(ooooh pretty)
http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc176/schroederguitarrepair/IMG_9441.jpg