What kind of bridge is this?

Alan Kirk · Post by **Alan Kirk** » 18 Nov 2004 2:42 pm

I've never seen a bridge like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=621&item=3763081151&rd=1

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Craig Prior · Post by **Craig Prior** » 18 Nov 2004 2:51 pm

That implement of torture actually looks like a mechanism for an crude "whammy bar." Look beside it... see the rudimentary whammy bar?

Sheesh... where was Paul Bigsby when you needed him?

Craig.

Ray Montee (RIP) · Post by **Ray Montee (RIP)** » 18 Nov 2004 3:52 pm

I would have guessed one of those mechanical TUNING devices; Here it is E7th; over there it is now A6th or possibly C# Min half way in between. But then again, I'm old and it's only my age tarnished observation.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 18 Nov 2004 6:58 pm

It's a Hise Multi-Harp-Triplex.

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 19 Nov 2004 11:12 am

For those of you who might want more information on these kind of bridges/ pitch changers, i did a special post about them. Go to: http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum2/HTML/005939.html

John Bechtel · Post by **John Bechtel** » 19 Nov 2004 8:14 pm

You asked what kind of a bridge it was! I'd say it's a covered bridge, but; I can't tell if it's for auto-traffic of railroad, because; it's covered up. Anyway, seriously: I do believe at one time Paul Bigsby also offered that option on his Steels. They were offered on several brands of steels, but; I don't really know if they were ever perfected enough to be considered accurate! But, all in all; I kinda like the initial-idea! Surely someone could get it functioning satisfactorily! I've considered have the standard modern changer on a steel with a series of hand-operated levers under the body, similar to the Sho-Bud Rack & Barrel System, (I guess it's called) like the Baldwin Cross-Over Models had. That's about as close as you can get to being a PSG-Player without actually going over the line!

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“Big John” Bechtel
’49/’50 Fender T–8 Custom [X2]
’65 Re-issue Fender Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
[URL=http://community.webtv.net/mycustoms/MySteelGuitarsand[/URL]

Steven Black · Post by **Steven Black** » 22 Nov 2004 4:30 pm

Paul Bigsby did make these changers to add on to non pedal guitars, I have a catalog that shows these dated back in 1957. These were mostly used on Bigsby steel guitars, but could be adapted to other steels. steveb.

Dan Sawyer · Post by **Dan Sawyer** » 22 Nov 2004 8:03 pm

Steve, are you sure Bigsby made these? I always thought somebody else did since they're found on a few different brands of steel guitars. The one on my guitar says "H Hise Manufacturing Co". I guess Bigsby could have built them for Hise. If you have a copy of that catalog page, i'd love to see it.