Northfield Posted July 16, 2022 Posted July 16, 2022 It hasn’t been easy to hold off on the post about the bridge that went on #0101. After having this idea bouncing around in my head for a number of years, dialing in the final design for the last two and finally being tested through 10+ iconic amps in the last couple of weeks to make sure it lived up to my expectations…..I could not have been happier with the results…. Based on Hamer/Jol’s brilliant string through the body of the “Sustain Block”, “Working Man” bridge has two major differences….. each saddle has its own base that can move/swing independently from the others, letting each string’s vibration/sustain/sound travel without having to go through the whole base of the bridge, resulting in a fuller, clearer sound and sustain as each string retains its own individuality… the “secret” material used to make it is just ( or perhaps even more ) as important as the design of the bridge. The long search and research for it led me to the only place I can get it from… Recess for the intonation springs in the “back wall”, as well as the intonation screw holes drilled following the radius of the fingerboard are just a couple of smaller details. Many thanks to Rodi ( who’d be more than happy to answer any questions ) for spending hours of testing on his many kick ass amps and to all of my friends for their support and encouragement! I would also like to thank my good old, genius friend Keith who’s engineering and machinist’s talents helped me bring my idea to life… Everybody involved could only describe this bridge as….. “BAD ASS”!!!
stonge Posted July 16, 2022 Posted July 16, 2022 wow - that's nice! I'm sure that there are many more details that you worked through with the same attention to detail in your great guitars. congrats!
veatch Posted July 16, 2022 Posted July 16, 2022 That's killer! Great details, Mike. You are truly an artist.
Jakeboy Posted July 17, 2022 Posted July 17, 2022 Wow….that is brilliant. I really want a vibrato bridge on 0117….but after seeing this,,,,hmmmmmmm……
BubbaVO Posted July 17, 2022 Posted July 17, 2022 Hmmmm…. #0102 would look pretty good with that. Will have to reach out to Mike.
JGravelin Posted July 18, 2022 Posted July 18, 2022 Bass version that retrofits 5 screw traditional Fender please. 😉
cornjulio Posted July 18, 2022 Posted July 18, 2022 Congrats Mike, this looks great! I hope I get to try one somewhere down the road. The saddles seem pretty similar to the sustain block ones and I'm a big fan of sustain blocks :-)
cmatthes Posted July 18, 2022 Posted July 18, 2022 2 hours ago, kizanski said: What's the string spacing vs. a sustain block? Damned close, if not exactly the same, per Mike.
Hamerica Posted August 16, 2022 Posted August 16, 2022 As if Shishkov #0101 did cause enough clean up on isle 9. Congrats to Team Shishkov for the development and execution of the Working Man Bridge. That is truly a work of art. Hamerica
HSB0531 Posted August 20, 2022 Posted August 20, 2022 On 7/16/2022 at 4:45 PM, Northfield said: It hasn’t been easy to hold off on the post about the bridge that went on #0101. After having this idea bouncing around in my head for a number of years, dialing in the final design for the last two and finally being tested through 10+ iconic amps in the last couple of weeks to make sure it lived up to my expectations…..I could not have been happier with the results…. Based on Hamer/Jol’s brilliant string through the body of the “Sustain Block”, “Working Man” bridge has two major differences….. each saddle has its own base that can move/swing independently from the others, letting each string’s vibration/sustain/sound travel without having to go through the whole base of the bridge, resulting in a fuller, clearer sound and sustain as each string retains its own individuality… the “secret” material used to make it is just ( or perhaps even more ) as important as the design of the bridge. The long search and research for it led me to the only place I can get it from… Recess for the intonation springs in the “back wall”, as well as the intonation screw holes drilled following the radius of the fingerboard are just a couple of smaller details. Many thanks to Rodi ( who’d be more than happy to answer any questions ) for spending hours of testing on his many kick ass amps and to all of my friends for their support and encouragement! I would also like to thank my good old, genius friend Keith who’s engineering and machinist’s talents helped me bring my idea to life… Everybody involved could only describe this bridge as….. “BAD ASS”!!! Now That Should Be The Design Behind The Shishkov Basses!
ARM OF HAMER Posted August 22, 2022 Posted August 22, 2022 I worked as a machinist in my younger years and that is a work of skill and beauty!..........and talk about over engineering, WOW!
bubs_42 Posted August 24, 2022 Posted August 24, 2022 I committed to using the WMB on 0105, so there will be another one in the world soon. I think Mike did a magnificent job moving the original SB Bridge forward. L
Winter Posted June 4, 2023 Posted June 4, 2023 My plans for 0135 were to have a Schaller Hannes bridge but after seeing this lovely little number, I think my guitar will be much happier with a Working Man bridge instead.
bubs_42 Posted June 12, 2023 Posted June 12, 2023 On 6/4/2023 at 6:21 PM, Winter said: My plans for 0135 were to have a Schaller Hannes bridge but after seeing this lovely little number, I think my guitar will be much happier with a Working Man bridge instead. Since I’m the only one that owns a Shishkov with each of those bridges, I would have to say that they are both very amazing bridges. The Harmonics that jump off of #0090 are without effort. The combination of the Bridge, the guitar and Josh’s Pickup for that particular guitar was a combination that makes it a very special guitar. The WMB, is Mike taking the Sustainblock forward. Keeping the look, but adding attributes that the Hannes Bridge has. I had a Love/Hate with the Original SB, it is a “Mass of Brass” and has a distinct sound that in the right rig was amazing and in the wrong one is tough on the ears. The WMB is the best of both worlds and I would recommend it to anyone looking for more definition and string to string articulation. #0105 is just amazing, I really wanted a Mahogany Guitar that was light, but still had that snap of a heavier guitar without being overly bright or stiff.
Winter Posted July 24, 2023 Posted July 24, 2023 On 6/12/2023 at 3:34 PM, bubs_42 said: Since I’m the only one that owns a Shishkov with each of those bridges, I would have to say that they are both very amazing bridges. The Harmonics that jump off of #0090 are without effort. The combination of the Bridge, the guitar and Josh’s Pickup for that particular guitar was a combination that makes it a very special guitar. The WMB, is Mike taking the Sustainblock forward. Keeping the look, but adding attributes that the Hannes Bridge has. I had a Love/Hate with the Original SB, it is a “Mass of Brass” and has a distinct sound that in the right rig was amazing and in the wrong one is tough on the ears. The WMB is the best of both worlds and I would recommend it to anyone looking for more definition and string to string articulation. #0105 is just amazing, I really wanted a Mahogany Guitar that was light, but still had that snap of a heavier guitar without being overly bright or stiff. Thanks so much for the additional context, Bubs. Always great to get your take on things! My apologies for not responding sooner.
hamerhead Posted July 25, 2023 Posted July 25, 2023 I'm looking this over again, marveling at the result. The time, labor, commitment, etc. is incredible. There is soooo much more going on here than most people realize.
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