Owner Feedback on the Bondy Guitar Bridge
For those willing to give up their whammy bar ways, Jon Bondy’s fixed bridge replacement for Trans-Trem, S-Trem and R-trem guitar bridges is worth a look. First covered in Headless Guitar Bridge by Jon Bondy, we now follow up with owner David’s excellent feedback on his experiences with this solution on his Klein electric guitar.
![Bondy Guitar Bridge Bondy Guitar Bridge](https://buildingtheergonomicguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/Jon-Bondy/Bondy-Guitar-Bridge.jpg)
Requirements
With the use of heavy strings, David found that his Klein guitar’s Trans-Trem would not float properly and ended up using it as a fixed bridge. This opened up the opportunity for the Trans-Trem to be swapped out with a bridge specifically designed for fixed use.
I was happy to pursue this with Jon because his design would satisfy my most basic requirements. I could get a bridge and a spare, never have to search for Trans-Trem parts ever again, and not have to alter my Klein in any way. That’s all I was originally hoping to get out of this.
Fortunately, David found that he got quite a bit more than he expected…
The Bondy Bridge in Use
The bridge is machined from aluminum and David guesses that it’s probably about 10 oz lighter – a significant weight savings for those looking to keep instruments as light weight as possible for ergonomic reasons.
But how does it all sound? David discusses his findings:
More surprising, the tone of the bridge far exceeded the tone of the Trans-Trem. Now, I know these things are subjective and others may disagree, I couldn’t believe the difference. The bass notes were full and piano-like in their clarity. The treble strings were bright and clear, the range seemed extended but never got harsh. The midrange was full and rich, not a hint of mud anywhere. Acoustically the guitar was much louder, so much so that my non-musician roommates commented on this saying things like, ‘wow, that thing is really loud, was it always like that?’ Now my Klein has always been a resonant little bugger but not like this. Amplified the same comments apply, only louder. 🙂
![Klein Guitar Bondy Bridge Klein Guitar Bondy Bridge](https://buildingtheergonomicguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/Jon-Bondy/Klein-Guitar-Bondy-Bridge.jpg)
David also commented on the Bondy bridge’s tuning stability:
The tuning stability is top notch, it never slips. I thought my TT was stable but again, this is different. Perhaps this is due to my TT having 10 years on it, but still, a nice change. I also found the solid (non brass roller) saddles much easier to intonate.
![When Beagles Attack When Beagles Attack](https://buildingtheergonomicguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/Jon-Bondy/When-Beagles-Attack.jpg)
David’s final analysis? – ” In short, I really love the fixed bridge.”
Many thanks to David for his thoughtful feedback and his attack beagle for watching over the Klein-Bondy guitar.
I have Jon’s bridge on one of my Kleins currently and I agree with everything that David has said in this review. That’s a pretty swamp ash Klein David!
-Al