Nggd

[garybaldy]

It's my new German guitar day today. My 2nd Fasan.

[Hammertone]

Congrats on the Fasan - cheap, cheerful, and fun for the whole family.

One thing, though ... that plastic bridge has been called a "tone-sucking piece of garbage" by ... someone. Replace it with one of these, in rosewood or ebony, as highlighted below:

[Cunamara]

Looks long it was inspired by Lang.

[garybaldy]

Congrats on the Fasan - cheap, cheerful, and fun for the whole family.

One thing, though ... that plastic bridge has been called a "tone-sucking piece of garbage" by ... someone. Replace it with one of these, in rosewood or ebony, as highlighted below:

Thanks. I didn't know they were plastic! When you look closer it's now obvious to me. Would that be the original? I still have a ton to learn about European archtops. Regarding the tone, It's pretty resonant like my non cut Fasan which has a wooden bridge albeit with a very crude thick shim under the base.
The new guitar has a good neck (and an adjustable TR) but quite a high action. The plastic bridge is at it's lowest which is about 30mm. I was going to shave it down but being plastic I will be getting a better one. Thanks for the attached image. The bridge probably needs to be about 4mm lower.
I don't yet know what the pickup is but it sounds pretty good. (thumb wheel vol and tone)

[Hammertone]

Thanks. I didn't know they were plastic! When you look closer it's now obvious to me. Would that be the original? ...

Probably original. These bridges stain the wood black, so it will be easy to place a new, wooden bridge that has the same footprint.

[garybaldy]

Probably original. These bridges stain the wood black, so it will be easy to place a new, wooden bridge that has the same footprint.

I'll probably go with this. Will the plastic saddles be ok? Thanks. Archtop Guitar Bridge Rosewood / Plastic Saddles - Rall GuitarsHosco Compensated Archtop Guitar Bridge
Edit. or one of these all wood saddle. Hosco Compensated Archtop Guitar Bridge (Gold, Rosewood) - Glued to Music

[Sleeko]

Looks festive, congradulations!

[garybaldy]

Hello. Congratulations and hnvggd! My R.Hoyer’s original bridge and base are olive wood stained to look like ebony. Check your radius. My Hoyer’s is 7.25”. Most mass produced replacements are 12”-16” and will not work. I had my guitar repairman/luthier make one for me in 7.25” from solid ebony. It was worth the extra few dollars to have it done right. The first and last pics below are of the original and the replacement.

Another trick if you need it. Sometimes the vintage/original tailpieces that were used, the ball end of today’s manufactured strings are larger than the strings manufactured in the 1950’s-1960’s, so the ball will get wedged in/stuck in the tp. Cut off the ball ends of the old set of strings you are replacing and slip them on each new string as you replace them. The extra ball acts as a spacer and prevents the strings from getting hung up in the tp. The middle pic is an example of this method.

Thanks for your reply. If I got a replica, but wood, bridge with the individual white plastic saddles I would hope the radius would match the guitar. The other hosco I looked at has an all wood saddle like your hand carved replacement (which looks lovely BTW). I would be able to re - radius it - I have done one before. I will find out what a custom made one will cost me. I need to find someone that could do it. I shall be changing the strings soon so will know if I have a problem there. Thanks for your tip.

[Woody Sound]

I don't normally like the over-the-top deco on some of those German gits, but that one looks nice, a bit more understated. (And I like the binding!). But how does it sound?

[garybaldy]

I don't normally like the over-the-top deco on some of those German gits, but that one looks nice, a bit more understated. But how does it sound?

I know what you mean. This is my 2nd fasan in that colour and black and white binding. The binding is slightly different on each though. It's a nice touch on a range that is basically, in Hammertone's words, 'cheap and cheerful'!
It sounds quite resonant and fairly bright (bright in a good way). Keeps intonated all over the neck. The pickup tames the brightness and sounds very nice. A non jazz playing friend couldn't get the sounds I like and get on it. They say it's in the fingers!!

[Hammertone]

...My R.Hoyer’s original bridge and base are olive wood stained to look like ebony. ...

I always thought they were ebonized pearwood ("birnbaum" in Cherman). I suppose we could ask the Tellers.

[garybaldy]

Congrats on the Fasan - cheap, cheerful, and fun for the whole family.

One thing, though ... that plastic bridge has been called a "tone-sucking piece of garbage" by ... someone. Replace it with one of these, in rosewood or ebony, as highlighted below:

I realised, apart from the Fasan having a plastic bridge and the necessity to change it, I'd rather go with the style #97 without the plastic saddles or saddle strip. I'll be able to drop the action (which isn't possible with the original) and radius the saddle if necessary. I've got about 0.012" relief with the 12 gauge bronze strings which isn't bad for this type of guitar. I'm going to go with, maybe, Monel 11s and try to tweak the truss rod a bit.
I've ordered this from Thomann. I hope it will be ok. Grover B 7926 Archtop Guitar Bridge – Thomann United Kingdom