Certano Benders Installed - an observation

JB Bobbitt · From: California, USA

I installed these a few days ago. Great product, easy installation, work perfectly.

BUT.... my self-built lap steel has a string-through-body construction, also straight-string (no lateral string deflection at nut or saddle) design. The strings are anchored with typical ferules on the back. The body is unfinished poplar, still a prototype awaiting the final maple body, in progress. (I'm in no hurry as the prototype is fully functional and too much fun).

I don't have much to judge on, but the sustain on the guitar is awesome (annoying sometimes, when I'm sloppy). But with the 2nd and 3rd strings going to the benders and no longer through the body, there's a distinct drop in the ringing tone and sustain on those strings. Right now I'm using 0.018p and 0.024w on them (25" scale) in open D.

Also, the benders have seriously disrupted the ergonomics I have settled into. I had become used to resting my hand on the PUP cover (note the short space between the cover and saddle allows just the right place for palm muting), but the benders prevent that now. So I'll spend some time adjusting the height of bender arms over the PUP.

Can anybody provide insight or anecdotes on fitting the bender height and lateral positions?

Thanks a heap,
-jbb

_________________
"Time is an enemy"
-Bob Dylan

Bill Hatcher · From: Atlanta Ga. USA

my own rambling thoughts.....

the serious difference in downward pressure at the bridge is the main reason for the loss of sustain. problem with that, is that if you increase the down pressure, the benders may not work as easily. you also have an issue with the string going across a piece of metal. when you bend, the string will be "sawing" into the metal. having a roller there would sure help.

your string through the body set up.... wouldnt the ideal set up for that be for the string to come up through the body and immediately make contact with the bridge piece and angle towards the nut. your design defeats that. the string comes up, then makes contact with a ferrule on the top and then bends and THEN makes contact with the bridge. you might as well just have the ball end of the string starting on the top of the guitar (top load).

i would take a piece of pine 2x4 and mount the certano on it with two machine heads. then i would put two rollers on the same size rod you are using for the bridge. then i would start experimenting with different downward pressure with the certano. start with the same bridge angle you have now, and then shim up the bridge several times for different angles to increase the downward pressure to see how the performance is affected.

sorry for the rambling... were i you and knowing this is a prototype, i would first top load the other strings and see if the strings balanced better with all of them basically being top loaded. if you find that they do, then i think the weight and mass of the maple body will give you back the sustain you might have lost by changing the bridge design. your mileage may vary.

Dave Owens · From: Nyack, NY

I put Certanos on an SX, and ended up putting on a Certano roller bridge as well. It made the benders easier to use and the sound was more consistent across the strings. You might want to check out Troy Brenningmeyer on YouTube as well as his site, very helpful. Good luck!

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