Over the years I have used a variety of bridges and there are many fine makers out there that focus on building quality bridges. Recently a BHO thread mentioned Tim Purcell and the impact his bridges had on their banjos. I was intrigued and contacted Tim. He quickly responded and sent me bridges from a variety of woods to test across very different banjos. I don't hold a lot of private beliefs that a specific banjo, bridge, or string is exclusively best. I leave that to a player's personal taste that can change over time. I can say when Tim's bridges arrived I started with one particular banjo that has been tweaked over the years in an effort to get the most out of it. I put Tim's submerged birch bridge on that banjo and it was so amazing I started chasing down long time friend John Balch to discuss it. This particular banjo has had a variety of bridges, heads. and tail pieces on it; but the Purcell bridge did more to bring out the musical tones in this banjo than I could have possibly expected. A few days later thinking it could be my imagination...another fine bridge was put on the banjo. Dead. The Purcell bridge went back on it. Immediately volume, tone, and intonation was back.
I could say much about working with Tim and how helpful he was in the process; but the short story is he was friendly and did exactly what he told me he would do. A perfect combination. The other bridges made of old gym floor maple and pin block maple from a piano built in 1918 fell right in place on other banjos. In each case the bridges produced a positive result. Thinking I would pick a bridge that might prove to be a good choice and return the others; I quickly contacted Tim and got a check in the mail.
Most of Tim's customers are bluegrass players. While one of his bridges went on an old Gibson...I can strongly recommend that any clawhammer player out there in the market to change a bridge or simply experiments with a new bridge on occasion...look up Tim's website with a Google search Purcell Banjo Bridges or go to www.purcell-banjo-bridges.com. You will enjoy working with this BHO member and get a fine bridge in the process. David E.