I recently bought 5 lbs. of elk antler tips that I`ve been using as bridge bases. 90% are solid with no spongy centers. If I wouldn`t use bone those tips would work real nice for nuts and saddles.
You raise a good point Randy. I was very careful to work with edge of the antler so not to get into the center of the antler where it's soft. Using the base of the antler afforded me with a larger piece of dense material for the bridge. I strung it if last night and was surprised at the clear and loud tone it gave off for such a small box. If it does start loosing tone, I can alway change out the bridge and nut.
That's one of the reasons I don`t use deer antler for nuts and bridges...see the center where it`s like a sponge...if you cut a nut or use it as a saddle in a bridge from it. Over time from string pressure it will through off your intonation. Bone is much more a dense material and will stand up against the pressure from the strings.
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That's one of the reasons I don`t use deer antler for nuts and bridges...see the center where it`s like a sponge...if you cut a nut or use it as a saddle in a bridge from it. Over time from string pressure it will through off your intonation. Bone is much more a dense material and will stand up against the pressure from the strings.