"Minstrel" bridges. - Minstrel Banjo2024-03-29T05:33:35Zhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/forum/topics/minstrel-bridges?feed=yes&xn_auth=noHello.
I share the interest…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2008-12-13:2477478:Comment:19852008-12-13T22:43:34.000ZDavid Swarenshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/DavidSwarens
Hello.<br />
<br />
I share the interest in bridges, and am delighted to find this discussion!<br />
<br />
The Cole style bridge also shows up in a catalogue reprint for the Cole banjo, dated by the publisher 1910 (the latest date I find internally is 1904, for a another bridge patent, the Grover non tip).<br />
<br />
The illustration shows a bridge marked "PAT.APRIL 11 1899," consistent with the patent above.<br />
<br />
The instruments featured in the work also use this bridge, with the high end "Cole's Eclipse" models, interestingly,…
Hello.<br />
<br />
I share the interest in bridges, and am delighted to find this discussion!<br />
<br />
The Cole style bridge also shows up in a catalogue reprint for the Cole banjo, dated by the publisher 1910 (the latest date I find internally is 1904, for a another bridge patent, the Grover non tip).<br />
<br />
The illustration shows a bridge marked "PAT.APRIL 11 1899," consistent with the patent above.<br />
<br />
The instruments featured in the work also use this bridge, with the high end "Cole's Eclipse" models, interestingly, using two of them!<br />
<br />
The pictured bridge has feet which, as in the patent drawing, flare in, unlike those in the replica.<br />
<br />
The same style bridge often shows off marked, with a brand or stamp, "S.S. Stewart" in a nice 19th century font, sometimes with the size (1/2', 5/8") also stamped on the side, and occasionally with "Germany" on one end.<br />
<br />
And these are commonly found for four string instruments, more often than for five.<br />
<br />
With absolutely no evidence, I have felt these to be from later than the first years on the 20th century, maybe post WW I/1920s (I have a couple of Paramount style bridges with the same S.S. Stewart makings, along with "wondertone" in script on the reverse, for four stingers.)<br />
<br />
At any rate, it seems the Cole's bridge was around for a while, mostly in the 20th century.<br />
<br />
It is interesting that the theory of having a direct route for each string, is contrary to that of violins, whose bridges have an opening which blocks this!<br />
<br />
I think the replicas are attractive, well finished, and give a good sound, even with wire strings, but would not generally use them on an early (mid 19th century style) banjo.<br />
Perfect for your Whyte Laydie!<br />
But they are nice, and are probably the closest to appropriate for any "off the rack" bridge, which is enough to account for their popularity and use.<br />
<br />
In addition to the later design of this bridge, it is made of hard maple.<br />
The only early suggestions I have run into, in several period method books, are to use a soft wood, pine or cedar, for the bridge, and I have grown to prefer the sound these material provide, and it is quicker and easier to work if one is making own's own with limited shop tools.<br />
<br />
Yours,<br />
David Swarens I don't know if my link will…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2008-12-01:2477478:Comment:14302008-12-01T23:54:17.000ZJoel Hookshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
I don't know if my link will show up, so if not, cut and paste.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/patents?id=yFcXAAAAEBAJ&dq=April+11,+1899+banjo">http://www.google.com/patents?id=yFcXAAAAEBAJ&dq=April+11,+1899+banjo</a>
I don't know if my link will show up, so if not, cut and paste.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/patents?id=yFcXAAAAEBAJ&dq=April+11,+1899+banjo">http://www.google.com/patents?id=yFcXAAAAEBAJ&dq=April+11,+1899+banjo</a> Thanks Carl, I've got it...…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2008-12-01:2477478:Comment:14272008-12-01T23:50:57.000ZJoel Hookshttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/deuceswilde
Thanks Carl, I've got it...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/patents?id=yFcXAAAAEBAJ&dq=April+11,+1899+banjo"></a><br />
<br />
"Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new..."<br />
<br />
As a notorious student of the <i>Banjo and Guitar Journal</i>, I have noticed that Stewart advertised Champion pegs several months before a patent was granted.<br />
<br />
Folks can use whatever it takes to move product. Wahmaker and Civil War venders do it all the time.<br />
<br />
It would be nice if a colloction of <i>The Cadenza…</i>
Thanks Carl, I've got it...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.google.com/patents?id=yFcXAAAAEBAJ&dq=April+11,+1899+banjo"></a><br />
<br />
"Having thus described my invention, what I claim is new..."<br />
<br />
As a notorious student of the <i>Banjo and Guitar Journal</i>, I have noticed that Stewart advertised Champion pegs several months before a patent was granted.<br />
<br />
Folks can use whatever it takes to move product. Wahmaker and Civil War venders do it all the time.<br />
<br />
It would be nice if a colloction of <i>The Cadenza</i> was made available in PDF format. Issues of The Cadenza from th…tag:minstrelbanjo.ning.com,2008-12-01:2477478:Comment:13822008-12-01T04:31:49.000ZCarl Andertonhttp://minstrelbanjo.ning.com/profile/CarlAnderton
Issues of The Cadenza from the turn of the Century have ads for five-footed Cole bridges. Here's what the ad says, with many pictures of the bridge (sorry I can't paste it here, I'm not that computer-savvy)<br />
<br />
...BE SURE...<br />
That the Banjo Bridge you buy has Five Feet.<br />
Pat. April 11 1899 COLE<br />
See those five feet? the Hit of the Century.<br />
All others are imitations.<br />
Cole Direct Vibration Banjo Bridge<br />
Every string has a direct vibration to the head<br />
That is where the COLE BRIDGE gets its TONE…
Issues of The Cadenza from the turn of the Century have ads for five-footed Cole bridges. Here's what the ad says, with many pictures of the bridge (sorry I can't paste it here, I'm not that computer-savvy)<br />
<br />
...BE SURE...<br />
That the Banjo Bridge you buy has Five Feet.<br />
Pat. April 11 1899 COLE<br />
See those five feet? the Hit of the Century.<br />
All others are imitations.<br />
Cole Direct Vibration Banjo Bridge<br />
Every string has a direct vibration to the head<br />
That is where the COLE BRIDGE gets its TONE QUALITY.<br />
Ask your dealer for them or send 15c to<br />
W. A. Cole 197 Tremont St., Boston Mass. for sample.