Making bridges

[Ron Nossaman]

>What are the arguments for and against cutting a bridge out of solid stock
>versus making a laminated one.

Good arguments, or just arguments? In practice, both work just fine - even 
if the laminations are horizontal. My major concerns would be getting a 
good scarf joint in the solid bridge, and a good cap on either type.


>I know part of the traditional argument is
>the transmission of different frequencies through different hardenesses and
>directions of grain.  It seems that some bridges were made of combinations
>of maple and oak veneer to accommodate this particular need.  Any truth to
>that?
>
>David Love

It's true, that is part of the traditional argument. In practice, I'd be 
truly amazed if anyone by any measuring means could tell the difference in 
performance. I always figured the alternating species laminations were to 
make the veneer stack easier to bend, but that didn't seem a sexy enough 
reason. I don't know for sure.

Ron N