Hollowing Out A Gypsy Guitar Bridge

**swingtoneman** · 12-17-2024, 08:18 PM

Those of you who has made a gypsy guitar bridge:

a) How did you hollow out the underside of the gypsy guitar bridge? Did you use a Dremel? If so what cutter did you use?
b) Did you do it by hand?
c) If by hand what tools did you use?

Look forward to your replies.

**sgosnell** · 12-21-2024, 12:50 PM

I haven't done it, but I've thought about it, to a limited extent. If you have only hand tools, ISTM that using a drill and chisels might be preferable, at least to start. Drill holes into the base, then chisel out the material in between. A Dremel might be useful for final dressing, but it might be more work than necessary to hog it all out with a burr or similar. A Dremel can be used as a drill, of course, but I would be afraid of slippage and cutting into places I didn't want. But again, I have no actual experience with this, so take it for what you paid for the advice. Ken Parker uses hollow bridges, so maybe there are some videos of making the bridge on his website or YouTube channel. I haven't done the search.

**swingtoneman** · 12-21-2024, 05:21 PM

Many thanks for your reply. I have made several gypsy guitar bridges in the past. I did the hollowing out by hand--a bit on the 'messy' side. I used a hand drill and chisels--I'm sure the pro's would use perhaps a Dremel, if so what bit in the Dremel? Perhaps I'm wrong.

More searching to do.

**RJVB** · 12-21-2024, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by swingtoneman

I'm sure the pro's would use perhaps a Dremel, if so what bit in the Dremel?

There are various grinding bits in different forms that will probably do fine as long as you can keep the dremel under control (and avoid charring the wood because they're likely to get hot)