Swapping floating bridge on archtop

[Frankieabbott]

I'm considering swapping the stock floating bridge that has metal parts where the strings touch the bridge to an all wooden bridge. The guitar has a single floating pickup
but I like to play it unplugged. I'm wondering if changing to an all wooden bridge might give a different tone and maybe more projection.

Has anyone tried this.....and if so what were the outcomes.

[LouieAtienza]

Any change you do would potentially bring a bout a change in tone. The question is, how much?

I think there are other factors to be considered which would determine what the outcome would be. The construction of the instrument, for one. If the top was braced with the intention of metal saddles in mind, and you like the sound as it is, then lightening the bridge may have a negative effect. It would be also possible to "perceive" more projection because the top may respond quicker, but the strings may not sustain as much either. Which may be beneficial depending on the style of music you play.

As it is a simple, reversible modification, I don't seethe harm in trying it, provided you have the foot of the bridge shaped correctly for the top to prevent damage to it.