Lowden bridge design change?

[PH>]

Ive just noticed looking at the pictures on the Lowden site that their bridges now have a trough carved into them behind the saddle. Does anybody know the reason for this change? Is it decoration or does it improve the sound?

[Howard Emerson]

It's a pinless bridge, as Lowden's usually have.

As far as why the 'scoop' behind the saddle it may be for ease of string insertion.

HE

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by PH>

Ive just noticed looking at the pictures on the Lowden site that their bridges now have a trough carved into them behind the saddle. Does anybody know the reason for this change? Is it decoration or does it improve the sound?

They seem to have very recently reverted to the 'old' design which had the 'trough', the 'new design' didn't for a number of years. I suspect that reverting to the old design enables a better break angle - that's certainly true of my two Lowdens.

My 2001 O-25...with 'trough'..

2E15A81F-BC07-4ED2-BD94-69945DA3AB37.jpg

My 2017 F-23...no 'trough'..

09673DE3-F7D1-493E-BDA7-7FD74FD9713C.jpg

[JayBee1404]

OK, just had it from Johnny Lowden that the design has not been changed - the pics on the website are old photos which haven't been updated. So the bridge design does not have the 'old' trough.

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by Howard Emerson

It's a pinless bridge, as Lowden's usually have.

As far as why the 'scoop' behind the saddle it may be for ease of string insertion.

HE

Howard, my experience is that it's easier to insert the strings on the 'modern' bridge (no trough) than on the old bridge (with trough). I think the 'modern' design is an improvement on the 'old' one.

The usual disclaimers apply......IMHO, YMMV etc.

[JayBee1404]

You're welcome.