Modified spider bridge question.

Greg Gefell · From: Upstate NY

I have the idea of wanting to mount an electric guitar pickup into a spider bridge reso but not in the usual fashion of routing a slot near the neck joint. Instead I want to mount it to the coverplate.

In order to make room underneath, the front spider leg needs to be removed. Does anyone know if the spider will be off balance and damage the cone because of this or will the other legs make up for it?

The acoustic tone may change because of this but that's not a concern for this particular reso.

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chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

From a non-engineer, removing the front one would mean the stress of the center leg would be distributed across the other 6 and they are spread out and evenly spaced on either side, so it may not be a problem. Keep in mind that you can still get cones and bridges if it was a problem.

Also, just guessing, I bet that the acoustical tone doesn't change all that much.

Tom Wolverton · From: Carpinteria, CA

OK, here goes my 2 cents worth (from a mechanical/structural engineer). The unloaded part of the cone will probably rattle a bit at the ledge that the cone sits on. The deformed shape of the cone will have a slight bump in the neck position (where the missing leg was). Depending on your soundwell and ledge geometry, it might become unseated. You've already made the cut so why not just try it?

Greg Gefell · From: Upstate NY

Actually I just photoshopped it! Wink

I'm going to give it a try. If there's a problem, a replacement spider isn't very costly.
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Lynn Oliver · From: Redmond, Washington USA * R.I.P.

Would it be better to remove the opposite leg as well?

Greg Gefell · From: Upstate NY

I guess that might either balance it completely or, if Toms's theory proves true, it could cause there to be a buzz/rattle on both sides of the cone where the legs are missing.
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Colin Brooks · Posted 16 Sep 2008 11:21 am

I would only remove one leg from the spider. I suggest you turn the cone in relation to the spider about 15 degrees, or start with a new cone. If you can't stop it rattling you know it won't work.

Have you seen an old Mosrite Californian? The rear pickup is mounted on the spider and pokes through the coverplate.

Greg Gefell · From: Upstate NY

Colin, I hadn't seen that before. It seems like I would have to create a really tall bridge insert to do that. There doesn't seem to be much room before the pickup would hit the strings.

Have you ever seen one in person to gauge how tall the bridge is?
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Colin Brooks · Posted 16 Sep 2008 11:58 am

I owned one 30 years back. As I remember it the p/up was fitted to a spider that was cast with an integral mounting plate where you want to cut a piece out. The bridge inserts were normal height.

Greg Gefell · From: Upstate NY

Ah, that would make more sense that it was cast with the pickup mount in there.

As I look at mine I just don't think its possible to get the pickup that close to the bridge. The pickup would hit the converging legs several inches away from the bridge position. Putting the pickup on top of the spider legs has me back to wondering how to get enough clearance between the top of the pickup and the bottom of the strings.

Incidentally, while investigating whether or not this idea was worth pursuing, I made up a temporary jig to suspend the pickup over the strings from the top. When I moved it back and forth from neck to bridge positions there was a surprising difference in tone and response. The halfway spot between the bridge and the edge of the cover plate seemed to be a good balance of body/brightness. I really did not like the way it sounded in the neck position. Too tubby, not enough sass!
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Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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Greg Gefell · From: Upstate NY

Thanks for the pictures Michael! I did some searching yesterday for a shot of the spider on one of those guitars but came up empty. Do you still own the guitars pictured? If so perhaps you could describe what the spider looks like where the pickup is attached.
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Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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John Bushouse · Posted 17 Sep 2008 9:39 am

Michael,

Do you happen to know what year the ad with the D12E in it is? I've seen one just like that, but without the electronics, for sale.

Thanks,
John

Greg Gefell · From: Upstate NY

There's probably a slim to none chance of finding a prefab spider from one of those guitars eh? Sad

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Michael Lee Allen · From: Portage Park / Irving Park, Chicago, Illinois

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Greg Gefell · From: Upstate NY

Thanks again Michael. As I suspected, I think I'll be better off modifying my own spider than going on a possibly fruitless and definitely expensive wild goose chase.
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