Joel Hooks' Bridges

[Rob MacKillop]

I ordered three "period" bridges from forum member Joel Hooks - maybe you've heard of him? :-)

First thing to say is that they are really well made, with good timbers and good workmanship. I got a Morely, a Converse, and a Gibbs (SS Stewart). It's great to have their names stamped on the side facing you as you look down from a playing position. 

Joel mentions on his website that the Gibbs is really narrow, and it most certainly is. Here's a comparison with the Luke Mercier bridge on the SSS Champion-Orchestra 2

I was concerned that it would be too narrow, but after playing with it on my Temlett for half an hour, it seems perfect:

The sound is MUCH better than my previous bridge. Recommended.

Here's the Morley string spacing compared to the Mercier:

As you can see, it's also narrower, but not as narrow as the Gibbs. Note that the grooves are cut at angles, to aid stopping the string being yanked out of place by too vigorous an up-stroke. I don't think I'll have a problem with that, though some certainly will. Good solution, and good attention to detail. 

And here's the Converse:

Very similar spacing. The only reason neither the Morley or the Converse are on the banjo at the moment is down to the heights:

 

The Converse would be perfect for stroke-style playing, but is too high for my use at the moment, but I have a guitar-maker friend who will shorten it for me. I'll keep the Morley as it is until I have the perfect banjo for it. 

I'm impressed with the quality of the bridges, and recommend them. 

[Pär Engstrand]

Thank you very much for the review, Rob. I've had my eyes on those bridges myself, although I tend to try to make things like bridges myself. They do look really well made, really good wood. There's a huge amount of research behind those bridges. Thank you very much Joel!!

To shorten the bridges you just need some sandpaper (I would suggest 240 grit) and a really flat surface, the kitchen counter top should work, a steady hand and patience... :-) It's pretty terrifying the first time you do it but it's really worth it in the long run to learn to do those things yourself, I think. Just imagine all the experimenting you can do on your own without a "banjotech" close at hand :-)

[Rob MacKillop]

True. I might do as you suggest. On the other hand, I'm in no hurry, and I like to visit my friend...plus I have no patience! 

[Pär Engstrand]

Well, seems like you have enough patience to wait to try those bridges. :-) Having those nice looking bridges at home I wouldn't be able to wait to try them out!

I would be very interested in a review after you tried them out.

[Rob MacKillop]

Well,I mentioned I'd already installed the Gibbs on my Temlett, and noticed a big improvement. I expect the others will be equally as good. 

I have to be patient. I ordered a fretted Orchestra 2 from Bernunzio's two weeks ago, and it still hasn't reached the UK. But that gives me more time to develop my fretless playing. 

[Joel Hooks]

Thanks Rob!

I use only the rarest wood harvested at the foot of Mordor in middle-earth.  Once harvested it is then submerged to Atlantis where it is sung to by mermaids for hundreds of years.  After, it is recovered and used to build the floors in factories.  After the factories use it for 100 years, I get it and make bridges out of it.

I am lucky in that I am surrounded by good hard sugar maple in New Hampshire.  It grows like weeds here.  There is a lumber yard up the road from me that lets me dig through their stacks.  I look for wood grain that looks like the original bridges I have studied. 

A lot of the modern bridges are made from maple that is too hard and heavy.  It might as well be ebony or rosewood.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Haha. I'm looking at them in an even more-admiring light now!

[Trapdoor2]

I had no idea that the forests of Ithilien were in New Hampshire. I guess that puts Mordor somewhere around Boston...which figures.

Now I know why my banjos with your bridges sing so well. I thought that siren-song was my tinnitus acting up...;-)

Joel Hooks said:

Thanks Rob!

I use only the rarest wood harvested at the foot of Mordor in middle-earth.  Once harvested it is then submerged to Atlantis where it is sung to by mermaids for hundreds of years.  After, it is recovered and used to build the floors in factories.  After the factories use it for 100 years, I get it and make bridges out of it.

I am lucky in that I am surrounded by good hard sugar maple in New Hampshire.  It grows like weeds here.  There is a lumber yard up the road from me that lets me dig through their stacks.  I look for wood grain that looks like the original bridges I have studied. 

A lot of the modern bridges are made from maple that is too hard and heavy.  It might as well be ebony or rosewood.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Hahahaha...