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Piezo rod bridge

Hullo Folks. I have a small question regarding a rod piezo bridge/saddle that I intend to make.I noticed that Chickenbone John when he makes his, it is a small shaped block of solid wood with the piezo rod embedded inside with a bone saddle on top and another builder makes what is basically a wooden surround for the piezo with a saddle on top of the rod with the rod effectively sitting on top of the sound board.Does it matter if the rod is actually resting on the sound board, is it better if it is encompassed in a solid block,ala Chickenbone John style or does it make no difference at all?...

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lindsay on January 8, 2014 at 11:28am

Either method works very well. It's basically up to you. The most important factor is that the rod piezo be under pressure. After that, it's strictly personal choice.

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Permalink Reply by jawbone on January 8, 2014 at 12:04pm

What I do is ( I'll try and get a pic):

I start with a large piece of wood at the height I want, usually about 1.5" wide and 1/2" high, then glue contrasting wood to either side - I route out the slot for the rod, then cut that strip off, route the next one, cut that off, etc. - it's easier with a large piece.

I route it deep enough to accommodate the rod piezo and still hold some sort of rod on top, either a nail or thick wire, bone whatever. Don't know if this will work for you - it's just my way.

Main thing is to give the rod peizo a good level seat so that the vibrations from the top, from the strings thru the bridge transfer to the peizo.

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Permalink Reply by Barsymes Cratchnee on January 8, 2014 at 6:05pm

Love the mass production tip here. I am so going to use this.

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Permalink Reply by Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans on February 14, 2014 at 12:37pm

Jawbone, it would be awesome to see a picture (or several showing details). Thanks for the great idea!

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Permalink Reply by jawbone on February 14, 2014 at 4:03pm

I'll check to see what I have at the shop in the morning and get a pic .

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Permalink Reply by Seasick Mick on January 8, 2014 at 9:20pm

Thanks very much for the replies,guys.There's a lot of helpful people on here....

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Permalink Reply by jawbone on February 15, 2014 at 3:25am

OK - finally got a pic - this is just a mock up but....
I glue up a block like this, the middle piece would be just a little longer than what your rod will be.
Then the other pieces are to your taste for size, they add interest and strength.
On a router table I route the slot for the rod at what ever depth I want for the rod plus bridge material.
Then I cut that piece off - plus I drill an 1/8" hole at one end for the wire.
and then repeat the routing process and then cut that off until the piece gets so small that my fingers get nervous. I would probably get six bridges out of this piece.

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Permalink Reply by Gary W aka Rev. Bluejeans on February 18, 2014 at 12:16pm

Excellent! Let me ask this - - in lieu of using a router after gluing up the stack, could a suitable groove be cut (actually a series of suitable width grooves for a 'production' effort like this) the full length of the middle piece, then the end pieces glued on? I guess it would mean square corner in the slot, but might give your fingers less stress! Just a thought - - I like this concept a lot!