Bridge Bone Beads

[GuitarVlog]

I e-mailed this company a few days ago to inquire about US distribution, but no response so far...

I had sent the link to StringsByMail. They will be making an inquiry with Mr. Waldner about carrying these. They already carry his book.

[Robert England]

I don't understand why all nylon string guitars are not made with a 12 hole tie block. That's the better way to go.
Robert

[John O]

Here they are on my guitar:

[GuitarVlog]

Here they are on my guitar

I think I'll wait for the Waldner version.

[Brad Maestas]

I also saw them at Stringsbymail when I was browsing last week. One of the first things I thought of was the variance in vertical bridge hole placement amongst various guitars. My Clarita has holes that are pretty low and close to the top, meaning that the beads would almost certainly contact the top which is not good. Also, I just don't really like the look of them. It's not so much the shape but the 'rustic' carving done on them. If they were all black or all white I think they'd look better.

I'm a bigger fan of the smaller beads ala Bernabe and Waldner. If the Waldners become available I might give them a try. In any case, I do think they help with the bridge break angle since the angle when tying conventionally is obviously less than if it just went straight down to the hole. I try as hard as I can to get the loop to hold the string as low as possible but there's still a good 2-4mm loss. My new guitar (coming on Wednesday!) has a 12-hole bridge and I can't wait to do some experiments.

[adunn]

I've used both the regular beads with normal tension strings, and the newer white beads with hard tension. I like them both very much and my students also remark that the sound is noticeably louder and more sustained. They are not on cheap guitars, but high quality concert instruments: I've had them or heard them on my 2004 Connor, a 2006 Douglass Scott, and a 2008 Romero. I feel the beads create a brighter sound and have really cleaned up the resonant, but muddy bass response on the Connor. At present, I have Galli Carbonio on the Connor with white beads. I recommend them to serious concert players whop seek more volume or faster response. I'm even considering putting them on my terz.

[bacsidoan]

Hello Y'all,

I'm a new comer to this forum. I've used the bridge bone beads in the past on my Tacchi Bouchet to improve the angle of the strings against the saddle since my guitar is set up for very low action. I'm not quite sure whether the sound improved by much. Anyway, I was bothered by the unsightly protrusion of the looped strings on the side of the beads as well as the crooked alignment of the beads. This weekend I spent some time in the shop to mill my own beads out of blood wood (the scrap of my hardwood floor). In my opinion (of course it's biased), the large surface of the new beads improves the alignment, and also prevents any damage to the bridge. The strings are concealed, and will not slip because their ends are tucked in a groove through a loop. This is just the prototype. I plan to make the next set out of polished bone and horn, alternating them to make them look like piano keys. I'd like to hear your opinion on them. Below are the pictures:

[chris lee]

I tried the bone beads on my GV Rubio. They added a little sustain. I think that there is definitely something to the break-angle theory. I find myself wondering why we don't use ball ends instead of a 12 hole bridge (which I have on my Fredholm). The standard bridge design would basically be the same for ball ends (smaller holes, maybe?). I'm sure there is a reason that we still tie our strings, but I wouldn't be surprised if that reason were simply tradition.

All this being said, I think that tied strings look the best, and the 12-hole bridge or the bone beads (or similar device) provide the best performance.

Chris

[Vito Simplicio]

Hey bacsidoan,

Those look great. Very straight and neat!

[dkpwv]

I'm sure there is a reason that we still tie our strings, but I wouldn't be surprised if that reason were simply tradition.

Chris

I bet you are right. Since it is apparent from what has been written that there are plenty of drawbacks to tying strings at the block, what are the positives? Anyone?

I have thought of getting the bone beads myself and have also contemplated using ball end strings for ease of string changes. However, my aversion to public ridicule and shame caused me to avoid them altogether.

I did however purchase a bridge bib which is said to assure that I wont get string dings when my E, B or G break loose during changes....as they have. OUCH!

[blackstove]

I have read all the postings about the beads, and enjoyed the different ideas. I did put a set on a Requento, and found the sound to be greatly improved. I am considering trying these on either my Yairi or Amilio Burget, but haven't had the time to do it. If it gets done, I'll be glad to post the results. One thing, do thread the strings as they say, or they will still slip. Keep up the input !

[GuitarVlog]

I still wish these were smaller and more discrete-looking.

It looks like Waldner stopped offering his original versions. They are no longer on his website.

[lapdog]

Bacsidoan,
Much better than the conventional beads. The wood is lovely and I like the look. Please post a pic of the bone or horn set if you get around to fabricating them.
Linda

[Bkellyjazz]

Well, I think that I will take the plunge on the Bone Bridge Beads. I am a professional guitarist but the nylon string classical guitar is a recent interest of mine and already one thing I really dislike is the time it takes to change strings on these gutiars. The other thing that influenced my purchase of these is that I just switched to Pro Arte Composite Strings and I think the diamater of the G-strng is smaller and that along with the fact that the string loop pulls up on the string is causing that string to make slight rattling noise cming over the saddle so I think the Bridge Bne Beads should help with that also. I will get back to eveyone once I get these things put on and used for awhile.

[Steve Kutzer]

I'm giving up on the beads. My first string breaks all the time. And really, tying the first string was the only "problem" I was looking to solve with the beads. But between string breakage and the fact that they are aesthetically displeasing, I am giving up on them. I actually have the bottom 5 strings using them, since the first had broken again. Upon the next changing, I will go back to just tying them.