Strange stringing guitar picture on GSI homepage…..?

[JoeAlders]

Looking at the picture on the GSI starting page showing a fraction of a guitar bridge,
I am wondering how that particular guitar is stringed.
According to my opinion I am looking at the e-1 side of the bridge and that second
string loop, what is this ? Or do I need to correct my specs?
(or is it my poor observation power).

Joe.

[Todd]

Ever heard of a 12 hole bridge/tie block?? :)

Now you have. This prevents the string from pulling up on itself via
the loop its normally tied into. = it doesnt disturb the break angle.

A very small detail, but it does increase string energy transfer ever so slightly.

Though i myself, wouldnt run out and get 6 more holes drilled into my bridge.
I might consider including this feature on a new guitar, if i were to buy one.

[JoeAlders]

Hello Todd,

Ahhh…! No indeed, it did not in the remotest way cross my mind…. a
12 hole bridge!!

‘…A very small detail, but it does increase string energy transfer ever so slightly….’

Is this so?

Joe.

[JoeAlders]

On second thoughts....

Even with this 12 hole bridge I still cannot figure out how this e-1 is being
stringed.

Joe.

[keith]

joe--the shot of the bridge is from the front (bottom of picture). if you look at the top of the picture, the rear of the bridge, you will see a loop which is part of the "knot" holding the string in place.

[DJH]

There are a couple of good photos of this kind of stringing on the website of luthier Paul Jacobson.

http://www.pjguitar.com/morepic2.htm

I converted the bridge of an old, not very valuable instrument about three years ago to see what effect this would have. Due to shifting and distortion of the neck and belly, the action was high and I needed to bring the string height at the bridge down. This would have given hardly any 'back angle' to the strings between the saddle and the tie-block with the normal tying method.
Using a 1.5mm drill-bit silver-soldered to a 250mm long straight rod and a jig, I was able to drill the six secondary holes using my fingers (slowly but surely) at the correct angle from behind the bridge so that the strings could come out of the tie-block from a point closer to the belly than before and therefore press down better on the saddle. It worked surprisingly well and the sound did improve. Changing strings was more pleasurable and I like the visual effect created (the strings look less 'stressed'). No long term problems were seen as far as I know (my 13 year-old cousin is learning to play on this 25 year-old guitar).
I'd hesitate to do the same to a valuable "pedigree" instrument, but only because it involves the removal of wood (and bone) that can't be put back. A future owner might not appreciate the alteration of the original design.

Dominic

[Faya]

i have 2 guitars with that type of tie block.

i really like them............simple and fast stringing!:)