Crowe-spaced Banjo Bridges For Clawhammer?
 

Has anyone tried substituting a Crowe-spaced (1-3/4" string spacing) banjo bridge for a standard-spaced (1-11/16" string spacing) banjo bridge? If so, did you find the extra 1/16" string-spacing helped or hindered your clawhammer playing? Thanks!

Has anyone ever tried a Crowe-spaced bridge for clawgrass, or even bluegrass, which is what it was likely developed for given the name?

I used a Crowe spaced bridge once briefly, and never really noticed that much difference for Scruggs style or clawhammer.

You might try asking this question over at banjohangout.org, if you haven't been by there already.

Thanks, Jim! I'm a member of banjohangout.org and will go there too. I was thinking the extra 1/16" of spacing on a Crowe-spaced bridge, even spaced out over five strings, might enable easier right-hand picking of individual notes. Likely, the extra .015" between the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th strings isn't really worth trying out given the cost of a good-quality bridge.

all of my bridges are crowe spaced, for the extra space. check that the fretboard width is wide enough up the neck so your outer strings are not to close to the edge.

SnuffySmiths in crowe spacing are my preference

Thanks, Daryl! I think all my banjos would have adequate fretboard width given a .030" extra width on either side of the center string, which would translate to a proportionately decreasing distance from the edge of the fingerboard approaching the nut. I had in mind a Snuffy Smith, and at $30 or so, it's a small price to pay for experimentation, and I just might pull the trigger on one. :)

Crow spacing doesn't do much for clawhammer since all the action is happening normally around the rim / neck heel juncture.

I make all my bridges 1-7/8" spacing and it's noticeable, but not by a lot. Noticeable when compared to a 1-3/4" spaced bridge, though.

Make your own, or if that's not possible purchase a couple of the cheap ebony topped bridges the next height up from what you use. It's easy enough to sand down the top edge and carve in 5 notches to see if you can tell the difference in the spacing feel. If you like it then just purchase a bridge made by someone who you are familiar with.