Making 4 string hard tail bridges

Hey guys. I've been looking into making my own 4 string hard tail bridges out of .065 brass but I know next to nothing about metal fabrication. I've been getting by so far by finding hardware that fits the general shape of what I need and then cutting it as needed. I was thinking about hiring a shop to make the base plate for me (already cut to size, chromed, and everything else) but I'm also worried about pricing, as I can't afford to order in bulk, and this all has to make sense, money wise. Was hoping to get some advice from metal workers with more know-how than me in this area. Thanks!

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  • Brett,
    Thanks for adding this and what a great company, yep thats what I am talking about. My bet is a somebody will get the 3 and 4 string tailpieces at even a lower retail price.

    Thanks
    Bob:)

    Brett Morgan said:
    Bob, I recently found these, i grabbed a 3 and a 4 string bridge, arrived today actually ;)

    http://www.moongazermusic.com/bridges.html

    Brett

    Bob Harrison said:
    I think a company like Getty or other foreword looking entrepreneurs should get a Fender repro adjustable hard tailpiece custom made for 3 or 4 string cigar box guitars made in China. I know we could not build them as inexpensively as the Chinese could make them. I bet just the plating cost here in the USA could be more than the price for a complete tailpiece chrome plated from China.

    Just my thoughts

    Bob :)
  • Bob, I recently found these, i grabbed a 3 and a 4 string bridge, arrived today actually ;)

    http://www.moongazermusic.com/bridges.html

    Brett

    Bob Harrison said:
    I think a company like Getty or other foreword looking entrepreneurs should get a Fender repro adjustable hard tailpiece custom made for 3 or 4 string cigar box guitars made in China. I know we could not build them as inexpensively as the Chinese could make them. I bet just the plating cost here in the USA could be more than the price for a complete tailpiece chrome plated from China.

    Just my thoughts

    Bob :)
  • I think a company like Getty or other foreword looking entrepreneurs should get a Fender repro adjustable hard tailpiece custom made for 3 or 4 string cigar box guitars made in China. I know we could not build them as inexpensively as the Chinese could make them. I bet just the plating cost here in the USA could be more than the price for a complete tailpiece chrome plated from China.

    Just my thoughts

    Bob :)
  • Has anyone tried using a bass guitar bridge, would that work for a 4 string CBG? I'm not sure what the string spacing etc is like but I found this on ebay:

    http://cgi.ebay.com.au/GOLD-BASS-BRIDGE-FITS-FENDER-JAZZ-P-GUITAR-V...

    Not a bad price anyway..

    Brett
  • Josh,

    I was strolling through the Miller Welding website and ran across a plan for building a Bench Brake I thought you might find useful. http://www.millerwelds.com/interests/projects/bending-brake/
  • Heres a 3 stringer I made from aluminum channel. I cut one side off and sanded it smooth. Some aluminum round stock...1/4 " and some humbucker adjustment screws and springs. The round stock is tapped for 4-40 thread I believe. A bigger pic is on my page.
  • Josh,
    If you can provide a drawing of the part you would like to build, I may be able to help. I am a tool maker/machinest.

    Thanks
    Bob
  • This guy has lots of stuff for a good price.
    http://cgi.ebay.ca/CHROME-GUITAR-ROLLER-NUT-/220524999235?cmd=ViewI...
    Cheers Ron.
  • There are plans readily available to make your own bench break online out of inexpensive materials.

    As far a chroming or plating you can actually do that in your own garage with a electrolysis set up. Ive used an electrolysis set up to clean metal parts using a 55 g plastic drum, an annode, cathode, washing soda and water solution and a battery charger. You are actually creating a giant battery. It will strip paint and rust clear off the metal. If you reverse the polarity of the annode and cathode and add a plating base you can plate metal.

    The plans to build your own system are readily available online as well. I will suggest an analog battery charger though, the ones with digital readout dont work unles you actually hook up a car battery in series so the charger will work correctly cause the charger is smart enough to know that it thinks the washing solution is a dead or damaged battery and wont even turn on. You need a good battery in the loop so the charger thinks its actually doing something. The older analog type dont have this problem cause it just turns on and charges.
  • Someone posted this link in another thread:

    http://www.moongazermusic.com/bridges.html

    They just added a 3 string gold bridge!!

    Brett
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