Interest poll european made bar bridge

[Smeigel_12000]

In one of my recent posts I asked if anybody knew of any European alternatives for the beloved Compton and Tru-arc bridges. Though both offer great worldwide service and delivery, it would be nice to have an alternative closer to home (delivery costs, VAT and Taxes, etc.). Apparently no such thing exists in the EU so I did some sketching and am now in the process of getting some prototypes ready to test on my current guitars. I'm thinking about putting this on the market so I'm curious to know if there is interest in such a European product (off course fully customisable with radius, studpost dimensions, etc).

Below some 3D impressions of my current design (based on fitting my Epiphone Casino, which will be my test guitar). I expect to have some 3D printed prototypes ready next week from plastic to check intonation.
Please let me know your thoughts. Any input is welcome .

 

[JackNangle]

Looks good - it might be worth looking at the German Faber site, they make a similar intonated wraparound bridge.

Faber Guitar Germany

Die Firmen Faber Guitar Research Germany und Faber Guitars wurden 2004 von Gottfried Schmid ( Tokai Distribution Germany ) gegründet. Wichtig und erwähnenswert hierbei ist, dass die gesamte Hardware Palette von Faber nicht nur in Deutschland entwickelt, s

www.faberguitar.com

 

[Bananapicker]

Nice! Just a tad too late for me, but never say never. Could very well imagine this to be a worthwhile endeavor. While you're at it with the 3D printer, custom guards are sorely missed too here!

 

[Ricochet]

Go for it. I'm pretty much set gear wise, but I would have welcomed buying locally or at least in the EU.

 

[loudnlousy]

The design looks a bit too techno for my eyes. I would suggest to round all that edges for better looks and comfort.

 

[cielski]

I'm a 'buy local' guy. I'd think that there'd be plenty of folks in Europe that would prefer not to have to pay excessive shipping costs and import taxes. Check out other bar bridges and go from there. Good luck on your endeavor.

 

[afire]

I would think you're onto something. I've noticed that a lot of European members seem to not want to deal with the hassles of buying from the US even when it could save them money.

 

[AllenK]

If dBridge is still going, they were UK and well thought of.

 

[Smeigel_12000]

If dBridge is still going, they were UK and well thought of.

I've tried to contact him a couple of years ago, but it seems like he stopped making bridges. Such a shame because he had a nice concept with making a bridge based on the intonation settings of your old TOM bridge, if I remember correctly.

 

[BohemianLikeMe]

Go for it. I'm pretty much set gear wise, but I would have welcomed buying locally or at least in the EU.

Same. I might even pick one up just to experiment with.

 

[BohemianLikeMe]

I would think you're onto something. I've noticed that a lot of European members seem to not want to deal with the hassles of buying from the US even when it could save them money.

Given what shipping costs now (the major killer IMO) and the amount of import taxes we pay, buying something from the US that would actually save me money in the long run would have to be so ridiculously underpriced I'd feel guilty buying it.

I mostly do any US shopping when I'm home or when family members come to visit.

 

[Smeigel_12000]

The design looks a bit too techno for my eyes. I would suggest to round all that edges for better looks and comfort.

I understand where your coming from. The shape is there for a reason though. I'm also working on the possibility to mount a vibrato unit to the bridge. That plan is still very much in its infancy though. Below an impression of that idea.

I have no experience with blade springs so I have no idea if, and how this is going to work yet. It would be cool though to have such a compact possibility for a vibrato unit without having to irreversibly modify your guitar.

 

[Smeigel_12000]

Same. I might even pick one up just to experiment with.

I am looking for testers as soon as I have a working prototype so I’ll keep you in mind

 

[BohemianLikeMe]

I am looking for testers as soon as I have a working prototype so I’ll keep you in mind

Please do!

 

[capnhiho]

I understand where your coming from. The shape is there for a reason though. I'm also working on the possibility to mount a vibrato unit to the bridge. That plan is still very much in its infancy though. Below an impression of that idea.

I have no experience with blade springs so I have no idea if, and how this is going to work yet. It would be cool though to have such a compact possibility for a vibrato unit without having to irreversibly modify your guitar.

View attachment 209047

Hmmmmm…..

 

[swivel]

Looks good. I would consider having a narrower shelf the string rests on though.