Specs on Willie Nelson,s 69 N-20 Martin Bridge

[Rob]

I am trying to make a replica bridge of Willie Nelson's guitar bridge from his famous Trigger as he calls it.Have a lovley piece of Indian Rosewood that will be as close as his once Brazilian rosewood articels say his was made from. Have also read one artical that says they were made from ebony but his is not black but dark brown on very close-ups i have. It also has two tiny threaded screws on the tie block that seem to be some kind of intonation adjustment covered by a bronze color plate around the saddle area. Anyone have a close-up of the mechanics of this I would love it.

Hoping someone has these vital specs to make things right before I cut into this rosewood which is 8 inches long right now.Pretty sure his bridge is 71/4 inches to 71/2 inch long.Here are the specs I would love if anyone can find out down Martin company way . They never returned my three e-mails I sent which was disappointingto say the least!

Here is what I need with huge thanks if anyone can do some book digging on Martin-N-20 classical guitars.Had to slightly alter bridge string spacing in due to slightly cutting bottom fret board width too short so it is fine.

  #1-exact overall length

 #2-Exact width

 #3-wing height and their length knowing the ends are beveled to half the thickness of the wings.

 #4-confirm what appears to be 30 degree drop angle off the saddle to the string holes in the tie block

 #5- any saddle slot depth and string tie depth which should be the same.

thanks in advance for any of these specs!-Rob

[William F.Eden]

Rob give David Nichol's a call he is an old Martin man. Has done a lot of work for the company Iam shure he could help you if he wanted to 518-483-7685 good luck Bill............

[Thomas James]

Apparently Mark Erlewine looks after his guitar. Maybe contact him? Here's and article that mentions him.

Trigger Info

[Rob]

Thanks gang for those two tips so far. Keep them coming as any measurements will help get things right.Right now I have gone to a 7 3/8th bridge length studying close up pictures using measurements on the screen. Pretty sure it's very close to right. This has been a fun project so far of converting a old Winston from mid sixties with what appears perfect body shape and color to old Trigger and removing ribs and adding  seven Torres design fan shape ribs design  from the famous classical guitar builder from the late 1800's early   1900s  with two back angled braces which were a real treat to get where I wanted them using a custom made jig and mirrors and lights without removing the top. Will be going with a Godin undersaddle pick-up wired to a Fishman on board system with built in tuner.Guess martin have made a knock-off of Willie's baldwin system he has inside old Trigger.Just like Trigger this old axe is one of a kind.Can't wait to add those ( #830 )  La Bella Bronze/black nylon strings on this new fretboard and frets i did myself.-Rob

[Frank Ford]

W.N.'s guitar does not have a Martin bridge.   The original would have been ebony with rounded ends, 7-5/16" long x 1-1/16" wide.

[Rob]

Thanks Frank for those important specs.......much appreciated.!

Right now my length is cut and was very close  at 7 4/16ths.  Who knows maybe Willie's Trigger bridge has  that one sixteenth inch removed  like my clunker.LOL

I did good at guessing the width as cut about 1/32nd wider with final sanding not done.I had to alter my string spacing in just a touch due to this fool measuring my fret board at the bottom a touch when I cut it but all looks fine now over the board at 20th fret. What ever works for this crazy Canuk.

Frank is it ok to compensate the saddle as does not look like Triggers is? Right now I have it marked abut not cut.

Rob

[Frank Ford]

Sure, it's OK - you have my permission!   Classical guitar saddles are traditionally not compensated as much as steel string ones, but whatever works best is the way to go, I think.

[Rob]

Thanks Frank-May I ask this man with so much knowledge one more question if you can bring up a close up maybe from the u-tube video out there about Trigger. What radius do you think is on those curved bridge wings that are taped accross yhe ends? Thanks so much in advance\\\\\\\\\1-Rob