Pre-War Guitar Belly Bridge, Ebony – StewMac

Pre-War Guitar Belly Bridge, Ebony

True Vintage Spec
Finally! An accurate replacement bridge from the Golden Age, that’s commercially available today!

After years of requests from repair shops and luthiers, we’re proud to offer vintage spec Ebony (Diospyros crassiflora) replacement belly bridges for Pre-War Martin-style guitars. These are the most accurate vintage replacement bridges we’ve ever offered. We’ve also made these more affordable than ever.

These custom-made bridges are also available in Madagascar Rosewood and Indian Rosewood to match any repair or new build.

The challenge of finding the perfect match
If you know vintage 1930s Martins (OM, Dreadnought, 0, 00, and 000) models, you understand the differences that make these bridges unique. The minute details and elegant curves are different from what Martin uses now.

Other replacement bridges are too bulky to match the originals. Before now, there was no readily available replacement with the vintage correct 2-5/16″ string spread. Replacing a vintage bridge with a standard modern replacement or poorly made copy can severely hurt the value of a vintage guitar to a collector. Before, if you wanted the right bridge, you had to commission an expensive replacement, or take countless hours to make one.

Now match whatever comes into your shop
Our vintage correct models come sanded and unbuffed, ready for your final touches. We offer five models (with/without saddle slots and bridge pin holes) that can accommodate the correct spacing on a vintage instrument or a new build.

Our expert Todd Sams: “Besides having an accurate replacement for Pre-War Martin repairs, I use these on my new builds and they give me the proper classic look. I also like the repeatability for when I inevitably get one of my guitars back in for a bridge replacement. I won’t have to spend extra time copying a handmade bridge and worrying about the footprint not fitting.”

Do yourself, and the timeless guitars you work on, a favor—use the right parts for the best repairs.

Solid Ebony bridge, sanded and unbuffed.

#4938 2-5/16″ string spread, thru-saddle slot. Direct replacement for 1930s and 1940s Martins. (First time this style is readily available)
#4940 2-5/16″ string spread, no saddle slot. This spread is for 1930s and 1940s Martins, cut your own slot for compensation and intonation.
#4941 2-1/8″ string spread, thru-saddle slot. Direct replacement on mid-1938 through mid-1945 Martins. (First time this style is readily available)
#4943 2-1/8″ string spread, no saddle slot. Direct replacement on mid-1938 through mid-1945 Martins, cut your own slot for compensation and intonation.
#4946 Undrilled. Shaped bridge, without saddle slot or bridge pin holes for your custom layout.

The bridge pin holes are drilled straight and may require the use of a tapered Bridge Pin Hole Reamer for a tight fit.