[CAUT] install bridge pins?

[Jim Busby]

Mark,

I will try it.

I carefully plane the surface but leave the very bottom of the string groove, which is compressed and stable. Never lower unless you're changing bearing. Sanding has always left me with less than acceptable results (but that may just be me) and the plane seems easier to control the "tilt", or lack thereof.  If you want to darken it (for looks) try stove polish. It is a really nice look and people seem to "ooo and ahh" at the bridge when I've done this. (last 5 or so)

Jim Busby


David mentioned sanding the epoxy coating. I've never done this, nor left
anything on the surface Alan.

After surplus is brushed into the notches, I rinse and clean the remainder
with lacquer thinner, and it soaks in like an oil finish. That's the surface
I was trying to describe... nothing between the wood and strings.

As for the barrier to moisture, I'm obviously relying on the initial coating
to penetrate as deep as it can (for about 10 to 15 minutes), then chasing it
with the thinned coat, which really dissolves and evaporates quite quickly.

Again, it's not a layer on top, I don't really want that, the saturation of
the wood itself is all I'm after. If you haven't tried this method, I hope
you will, and let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Mark