Doc's Cathedral Bridge™
- Learn about Doc's Cathedral Bridge™
- Shop for a Cathedral Bridge™"
- View the Gallery
- Common String Spacing Questions
Description
The more experimentation I do with bridge wood and construction, the more I am impressed with the impact that they make on the character of tone and volume of the banjo. Although the construction, wood selection, set-up, and playability have the front seat in defining the tonal characteristics of your banjo, I have found that the simplest and most inexpensive tonal upgrade that you can make on your banjo is a Cathedral Bridge™. I admit that I too spent years investing in one specialty bridge after another hoping it will make a difference in tone but not hearing it. Our bridges are different: they really do what we say—guaranteed!Our latest generation of Cathedral Bridges are made of two or three woods laminated vertically. They are dramatically beautiful in appearance and amazingly well balanced in tone. Although there are a handful of woods that “stand alone” in their merit of tone/volume enhancement, we find that using several woods in a bridge can “balance” the tonal qualities of the banjo. (Similarly, we have found that woods of varying densities and cell structure combined in a banjo pot and neck make a dramatic difference in “balance” of tone. Rarely will you find a banjo made of one wood that has both good lows and good highs).
Our famous claim of “100 percent of folks who put a Cathedral Bridge on their banjo do not put their old one back on” still stands today when we know where the player wants to go with their tone and we help them select the right bridge choice.
Why vertical laminations? We've done extensive A/B testing of vertical vs horizontal laminations with identical wood combinations, weights, and shapes. The difference is dramatic! In every case, the bridge with horizontal laminations simply pale compared to their vertically laminated counter parts. In fact, the difference is so dramatic that I carry a few bridges with horizontal layers with me for demos when we go to a music festivals or campouts.
We also build our Cathedral bridges with a variety of “footprints”. Have you ever wondered why nearly every manufacturer makes their bridges all the same size, whether it goes on a 9 inch or a 14 inch pot? We vary the footprint of our bridges from a 2 3/4” for the small pots, to a 3 ½ inch for big ones. We also vary the footprint from front to rear depending on the characteristics of the banjo it will be used on.
When you order a Cathedral Bridge it is important for us to know where you would like to go with the sound coming from your banjo. We want to make the best wood selections, mass, and “footprint” to do the job. When you order your bridge below, please include your contact info and we will contact you shortly after we receive your order to help select the perfect bridge for you!
Shop For a Cathedral Bridge
All Cathedral Bridge's are hand-whittled by Doc to the ideal shape and weight to maximize tone. See the gallery at the bottom of this page for examples of the many sizes, footprints, and wood combinations available. Doc will contact you after receiving your order to help select the perfect bridge for you!-
Solid Wood Cathedral Bridge™$49.00Our classic Solid Wood Cathedral Bridge™ model. Your choice of wood, height, and string spacing.
Please include your contact info so that we can contact you to help select the perfect bridge for you!
Unconditional Guarantee.
Free Shipping in the Continental US.
Please contact us for Alaska, Hawaii, or international orders. -
Multi Wood Cathedral Bridge™$59.00Our Multi-Wood Cathedral Bridge™ model. Your choice of wood, height, and string spacing.
Please include your contact info so that we can contact you to help select the perfect bridge for you!
Unconditional Guarantee.
Free Shipping in the Continental US.
Please contact us for Alaska, Hawaii, or international orders.
View the Bridge Gallery
These are just some of the many designs and wood combinations available. (Click on any photo to zoom in and open the gallery.)-
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Solid Wood
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Solid Wood
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Solid Wood
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Solid Wood
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Solid Wood
Common String Spacing Questions
We commonly get questions about string spacing. Here are answers to the most common questions. Don't hesitate to contact us with additional questions!- Why are there different string spacings?
This has to do primarily with the anatomy of the hand and where you play on the neck. My fingers, for instance, are twice as wide across as some other players. Some players play close to the bridge, while others play further up over the neck. The whole issue of different string spacing is simply to get your fingers between the strings in an efficient manner. There is no "right" or "perfect" spacing. It's just personal preference.
- I play close to the bridge and my fingers are not huge. What string spacing might I like?
Chances are, you will be most comfortable with a 42mm string spacing.
- I have large hands and fingertips and like to play in the upper region of the pot. What string spacing might I like?
You might want to order a 44mm spacing, sometimes called "Crow spacing" after the renowned bluegrass player, JD Crow.
- I like to play up over the neck (mostly clawhammer style). What string spacing should I order?
You should consider ordering a 46mm string spacing.
Friends
One the most rewarding aspects of building custom instruments is interacting with the people who we build for. Many customers have become life-long friends.We look forward to getting to know you!