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Topic: National Grand Console Bridges 1960's |
Don McGregor
From:
Memphis, Tennessee
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Posted 10 Oct 2009 4:46 am |
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A previous owner replaced the 8 string bridges with 6 string bridges from another National. There were two crude, possibly home made, 8 string bridges left in the case with it, but, although the screw holes line up perfectly, the teardrop shaped string holes do not grab the strings. These holes are also too close together. They measure 2-1/4" from center to center of the outer string holes. The pole pieces measure 2-5/8" center to center, giving a near perfect 3/8" string spacing.
Of course, I will post in the "wanted to buy" section, as this is an otherwise very excellent vintage steel, and I would like to have original bridges for it. However, right now I would like suggestions as to what I can attempt to make two bridges out of. The 6 string bridges are chromed, and measure approximately 3/32 thick. A similar 8 string bridge will need to be approximately 3" wide to accommodate the string holes, and approximately 2-3/8" front to back (counting the thickness of the turned up bridge section. The bridge section measures 5/8" in height (counting the base).
I have a small drill press, but no way of bending the 90 degree angle. Is there something similar to angle iron I can ask for at a hardware store? Also, would this be better out of steel, brass, or aluminum?
Help me. I'm really itching to play this baby before my old Carvin gets jealous, and attacks it.
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Dennis Brooker
From:
Iowa, USA
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Posted 10 Oct 2009 5:50 am
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| Don - I'm not sure where you live but I'll throw out a few suggestions - Are there any sheet metal or machine shops close by? What about Home centers like Menards or Home Depot, they carry all kind of metal studs and metal brackets for stud and joist supports - Businesses that do heating and cooling have tools for doing sheet metal work as they need to do duct work - Most welding shops also have a small hand brake as well for doing small sheet metal bends - People in the trailer repair business also have to do sheet metal work so they to are likely to have a small hand brake to bend a small piece of sheet metal like you need - You can buy small pieces of brass and aluminum at hobby and craft and model stores - That's what I can think of off the top of my head - DB |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 10 Oct 2009 8:08 am
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Don, are those two volume or tone knobs behind the bridge(s) stock? I don't recall ever seeing those on a National. I have a 1952 Grand console which looks pretty much like your's except it doesn't have those.........JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!! |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 10 Oct 2009 8:09 am
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Ooops, double post......JH
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!
Last edited by Jerry Hayes on 12 Oct 2009 3:34 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 10 Oct 2009 8:10 am
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.........  JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!
Last edited by Jerry Hayes on 12 Oct 2009 3:35 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Don McGregor
From:
Memphis, Tennessee
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Posted 10 Oct 2009 8:58 am
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Thanks, Dennis,
I hadn't thought of just finding someone at a heating and air place, or a machine shop to just cut and bend the metal for me. That wouldn't be expensive. I don't mind doing the drilling, filing, and polishing.
Jerry,
I've only put one string on one neck so far just to test, but, by tapping a coin on the pole screws, and fiddling with the knobs, the pots behind the bridges appear to be individual volume controls for each pickup, both also controlled by the master volume. As you can see by the paint inside the routs and cable channels, this was done at the factory. Seems like a good idea.
There is no serial number on the steel that I can find, but the stamped code on this potentiometer reads :
220 S1
304 6548
I'm going to try and google what year that would make it.
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Don McGregor
From:
Memphis, Tennessee
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Posted 10 Oct 2009 9:10 am
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| I read it as the 48th week of 1965, which seems right. It came in a gray case. |
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Blake Hawkins
From:
Florida
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Posted 10 Oct 2009 8:19 pm
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| The "304" indicates the pot was made by Stackpole |
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