BRIDGE QUESTION - For my Aluminum Vega Restoration

[Craig McClure]

Making Slow progress (senior Citizen) even slow on must-do's too. My fret board is almost completed. I started with a bare aluminum body - needing everything replaced.
I am told these originally had a wood bridge. I will need to make a Bridge to fit the slot in the cast aluminum body.
I have a wide choice of materials on hand - but I'm favoring STEEL to make the most of whatever resonance the Aluminum Body may offer, The NUT is permanently cast part of the aluminum neck/body. I've seen all kinds of bridges on lap steels - & would appreciate hearing thoughts (PRO & CON) from those who know more than I do. I could even try both type bridges, but I want a bridge to bring out the Aluminum's unique tone qualities. Thanks up front, C.

[Michael Kiese]

Aloha Craig,

What a gorgeous restoration!

My favorite material for saddles and nuts is BRASS. I get Ryan Rukavina to machine custom nuts and saddles for my steels for me. I just remove the original nuts and saddles and mail them to him. He does great work, very fair priced, and great to communicate with.

rukavina.guitar@gmail.com
https://www.rukavinaguitars.com

In fact, I just mailed a 1960's Supro nut to him and he's gonna make me one out of brass.

You can also take careful measurement of the body cavity with a caliper and send Ryan those measurements, and he'll fabricate using those.

I'm telling you, brass makes a big difference in tone, and I find it very pleasing. I have no empirically quantifiable data, just my personal experience. I prefer brass above all other materials for nuts and saddles: bakelite, steel, aluminum, etc.

Brass is just a very musical metal. There's good reason why band and orchestral instruments are made using brass.

I have an 8 string frypan made by Jan Vanderdock in the Netherlands. He was a sweet man. The steel is SOLID aluminum, lol. 12+ lb body. haha. That said, the nut needed to be replaced. string spacing was off. I had Ryan make me a replacement Brass nut and saddle (originals were aluminum I assume, or maybe steel). INSTANT tone improvement, and the tone was good before the switch.

Enjoy!

[Bill Groner]

I agree with Mike. Brass is a very good metal to use. I have made several bridges and nuts using it. My complaint with it is it gets tarnished quickly. No matter how much of a buffing you put on it, it will tarnish. I prefer using 6061 aluminum for nuts and bridges. Once buffed they stay looking good for a long time. They also have very good tonal characteristics. Probably not as brite as brass, but that could be a plus depending on what sound you like. I would not use steel, it will rust. Stainless steel is good but hard to work.

[Craig McClure]

Thanks gentlemen ! Experience wins - BRASS IT IS. ....... Found a nice piece of cast brass in my scrap metal collection.

Again Many Thanks, C..