I Changed This On My Guitar And It Made All The Difference

Thanks to Ben Calhoun down at Big House Guitars in Atlanta Ga for helping me out with the bridge swap. And thanks to ‪@MuleResonatorGuitars‬ for sending down this beautiful new machined T bridge, go check out the documentary they made about the design and machining process here:
• Ballad of the Billet T...
If you want to learn more about Mule Guitars, check out their website (this video was not sponsored by Mule)
www.muleresophonic.com/
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0:00 Intro
1:25 Playing Demo Stock Form
2:02 What Is a Resonator Guitar?
3:35 In My Time Of Dying
4:22 Swapping The T Bridge
8:02 Let's Compare the bridges
9:00 Editor Rhett jumps in
10:07 Let's Hear it some more
10:27 Final Thoughts

[@picksalot1]

I preferred the Cast Bridge by far, as it had the Old Timey Resonator sound that I like.

[@doc_matter]

Same

[@canaanlawrence7351]

I agree. Lol original had a more slightly "scooped" tone.

[@ImNotOld_ImVintage]

I can definitely hear a difference. I think in a band environment, the new bridge would be way better in the mix. That brightness lends to clarity. But to just sit and play alone, I think I would prefer the duller, rounder sound of the old bridge. I think the key is they are "different" but in a vacuum, neither is better; it just depends on what you want for the sound. Having options is nice!

[@diogocaruivo]

Huge difference! Personally, I would keep the cast piece

[@vizzo7]

I am with you. the clearer sound of the cnc is not what to look when playing a resonator

[@buckwheat2002]

completely agree, old one sounded better. darker, muddy

[@mbg4041]

Yep, agreed. Less warmth with new bridge. Me no like

[@raffaele7185]

same!

[@maxwellblakely7952]

The CNC bridge makes it sound more “modern” to my ear. I like it…

[@bradfordjeff]

With the new bridge, it sounds more like a banjo. I liked the old bridge better.

[@Sammywhat]

I, for one, share this opinion!

[@michaeldennisguitarlessons]

Agreed, old bridge - Mo' Better Tone!

[@mrbendel]

I liked the old one better too

[@mangolassi_.]

Yeah, I thought the same thing.

[@asambatyon]

Reminds me to when I changed the trem block of my strat to a brass one. It made it sound so different, that it became the best clean guitar ever... sadly I never played clean

[@daveneuer5516]

I actually really liked the extra warmth of the cast bridge

[@HRJ1411]

Completely agree, more sustain and eq has shifted, now brighter and midrange has changed, but I think the cast bridge sounded dirtier, which to me was more in keeping with blues. Probably originals in 1920’s didn’t have cnc parts

[@FlankinspanK]

I appreciate both versions. Big contrast. The cast iron is mellow and sweet but the new on has more of a percussiveness/punch to the initial transient of the sound.

[@ConcezioPellegrini]

BEAUTIFUL Gift. Resonators are so unique and so nice to chill with. Very nice.

[@CharlesRoss2007]

Thanks so much, first time for me seeing inside a resonator guitar! What a brilliant video :) Really love your content Rhett 100% lovin it

[@msspi764]

I like it. The tone appears a little brighter, it's also clearer, more definition. Definitely keep it.

[@mark.guitar]

Weight of the bridge and rigidity of the alloy used. The billet the new one was made from was rolled. This adds tension and stiffness to the metal that remains in the part that is milled out. The cast one has no tension when it is made so is "floppier". The mass is less on the new one so the metal part is easier for the string vibration to move. I changed the biscuit on my reso for a much lighter one and the difference was similar.

[@kingmobisinvisible]

Sounds pretty good. With the right slide, I bet Josh Scott could really make it sing.

[@harmonic3350]

EQ & volume balanced nicely across the board. Mids sound great.

[@3XATHAT]

Thank You Greatly...Ive Been Dreaming of This !!! Cheers AAA

[@dylanadamsguitar]

I’d stick with the machined bridge if it was mine, definitely sounds richer/livelier and more vocal! I hear ya about keeping the old bridge on hand though, still sounds great in its own way

[@leelossi1257]

I love the new sound!! much clearer and brighter

[@StevenShults]

Very cool. And your choice of what to play for this video were quite tasty.

[@stevecochrane5376]

Super interesting Vid ,Rhett. Thanks for sharing that. I have often wondered what the difference was between these resonator guitars.

[@DerekBolli]

Great work Rhett, one of my favourite instruments in the right hands e.g. Ry Cooder, Leo Kottke or your good self 🥰 I think you will be glad you have the option of swapping the bridges in the future to suit recording or performing requirements depending on whether you want a cleaner sound (new) or a more gritty, complex sound (old) 👍

[@stickman55100]

Nice slide work! And the guitar sounds great.

[@Christian.Means.]

Awesome video as always dude. 👌

[@BrettValentine]

Oh man! I like them both! The CNC bridge gives you that "stand out front in a crowded mix" tone. The cast bridge is warmer and smokier. More for backing up a singer. . .

[@JacobH93]

Honestly I thought I was listening to fresh vs old strings the first time. Then Rhett said they were both fresh sets. It is a lot brighter with the new piece! The old piece definitely had a bit more of that swampy dark sound to me, but the new piece probably sits better in a lot of band mixes and has better articulation. It’s cool that you can swap it fairly easily now! Options are a good thing and for Rhett that makes a lot of sense!

[@StevenParente]

I like the tone of both bridges. You can't go wrong with any of the Mule guitars and I hope to own one someday. After listening a few times with headphones, I do prefer the new bridge a little more, because of the punch and sustain. It's like mixing in a little of what a single cone would offer, but having much more sustain, in my opinion. That may work in a mix better, but it's good you decided to keep both.

[@stephenpaquet]

Rhett, I think you nailed it with the sound difference. The old bridge is a little warmer, the new bridge a little bit brighter and probably projects a little bit better. It did seem a little bit louder but definitely brighter. Definitely keep your bridge hanging around but in a bad situation, the new bridge will punchthrough in my opinion. It’s kinda like Peter Green‘s nasal med position sound that he employed so well on his guitar Greenie. The dobro is a different sound than Peter Green, but you get my meaning it’s that nasal higher pitch residence that punches through.

[@jacobperleoni8549]

Long live the Mule! I love those guys.

[@jenspetersimonsen4235]

To me , that sounds like right in the sweet spot between parlor and banjo: bright, but not too bright - warm, but not too warm tending to be mellow/dull. Love it!

[@jenspetersimonsen4235]

... and the metallurgy is evident in the differencce between the two brigdes 🙂

[@leinonibishop9480]

I love Mule guitars. Their Mavis Mule is one of my favorites ever. I don't know if my playing skill level will ever get high enough to justify spending that much money for a guitar though since I'm just a hobby player. Also I still miss the 'there is no plan B line". It was unique to your channel.

[@user-vb7og5xg7t]

One difference that jumped out to me was the new CNC'd bridge made the guitar sound warmer....could listen larger... easier on the ear..what a real change.. loved the video and the whole changeover process

[@stevemyers2092]

i like your review - that's why i still watch you and have dropped others.

[@psteed84]

Nice to see the reso again Rhett!

[@RenanSilva-ue5jp]

I am not surprised AT ALL... I see this very little in the youtube world, but changing a bridge on electric guitar makes almost as much difference as changing pickups. its HUGE, way more than the wood, for example (in my personal "testing"). So here I leave my suggestion to Rhett - get good quality but different material bridges for one of your favorite guitars and make the test. I`m very sure you`ll be very surprised, as in this video. In my case I changed both a LP Special and a Japanese v1 Revstar for ABM bridges, machines in Germany very high quality stuff and both guitars sound changed massively.

[@effdpaul1815]

I inherited a 1936 Dobro from my grandfather and had it restored by the Dobrio Bros in Orange County CA. They tried to "buy" my resonator in that Dobro and "upgrade" it with a modern and "improved" one. I was expecting this, of course, and politely refused. It was really surprising to me that the original config on that Dobro included a rubber bridge saddle. I was happy to replace that with a bone saddle. All of that said, it looks like your resonator was taken to an entirely different level..

[@annanimmitty4098]

As usual Rhett, awesomely interesting with a wonderfully choice of tune samples so as to make your point!! In other words, Another Good One Rhett!!

[@treastonschmuckley5111]

Thank you for teaching me how resonators work rhett

[@splashesin8]

I have had a craving for this guitar for a really long time. :) ❤

[@crysiss8635]

you content always is amazing and entertaining

[@BudgetRC_Channel]

I'm not a mechanical engineer (I'm an EE), but my assumption is that because cast aluminum is much softer and less dense, it can't transfer high frequencies nearly as well as the harder, more dense billet aluminum piece. Being "softer" it will absorb more high frequencies.

[@MyWordPressGuy]

Machined maintains better/more uniform molecular structure, hence better transmisson of sound...similar to uniform grain in wood and its effect. Cool.

[@droliver]

Great video Rhett! Resonator guitars are just fascinating beasts. As you and I tend to like a lot of the same kinds of music, I would steer you to Chris Whitley’s “Dirt Floor” album which is all solo resonator laying recorded live to one mic. Also, the amazing Bruce Cockburn has a great solo resonator song “Sunrise on the Mississippi” in open C which is a great showcase piece and easy to learn. There was a transcription of it in Acoustic Guitar magazine years ago that you can track down

[@versoinstruments]

Chris Whitleys Dirt Floor truely is a master piece. Great recommendation! To me it was the reason to get into resonators 15 years ago :)

[@rogeranderson6688]

Hi Rheet, You might also like to try Callahams CNC machined steel ABR-1 bridge for Gibson style guitars. It also transforms the tone of those instruments in a similar way. I have been using one in my Ibanez AS 103 for over ten years now. It definitely makes a massive difference to the sustain, attack and brightness to each of the instruments that I have installed them in. Its offers a very different sound and feel if you want to explore something unique. Thanks everything you share, it's inspiring.

[@louaguado995]

I thought the original one sounded fuller and sounded good on it's own. But the new one had more mids and probably cuts through a mix better. Would have been nice hearing them with drum and bass tracks. Like you said, no one was better, just different. 😊👍

[@douglasaxtell]

Very cool. I’ve never seen the inside of a resonator. Son House lived in Rochester and worked for the NYC railroad and played one. Different alloys might affect it too. Also you should anneal after machining Al. A company I previously ran made optical components and different alloys responded very differently. Most needed annealing after machining or else we’d find they changed dimensionally over time. Also coatings can play a role. Consider a hard coating on the part.

[@josequinones297]

The cast piece has a more soulful sound to it. Makes you feel like you went back in time and can picture yourself being there. The new piece makes it sound like you're at a live studio really crisp. Depends on your flavor and what crowd you're playing too. Guess you'll need to get another guitar and keep both sounds. Great Video content I enjoyed it a lot.

[@chrisblue1515]

I like the old bridge but I listened closely with good headphones and suggest maybe going up one string gauge with the new bridge to adjust to brighter tone. Great video Rhett!

[@backlinebeat]

Cool vid. Mules are great. Met Matt last year at a small guitar showcase where I live. Cool dude. Didn't have a fancy booth or anything, just two guitars on a foldout table. An acoustic and electric (mavis). I want both so bad now. The Mavis had the best neck I've ever put my hands on. I dream about that neck (soft v).

[@midasvanzanten3919]

it is a huge difference!! idk what i like more... i dont think i really have a preference. I like it both!

[@musiqueurbaine]

I love that gem!!! That new bridge makes a huge difference. Is it better? That’s subjective to one’s taste. I love the sound of both bridges. My preference is the new upgrade. Because of it’s brighter tone. Kinda like comparing a Tele and Strat bridge pickup. Love them both but the Tele has more bite. Thanks Rhett

[@DrewSuch]

I like the lighting you have there. I think lighting helps with creativity.

[@TheFIDASchannel]

I think both sounds are every usable. In terms of the ‘night and day’ difference between them, I don’t know, it might be one of those feel things. In the end if the new sound inspires you to write new music, perfect!

[@mgbaron]

Ordered one for my mule!

[@NickDavis-sj9bi]

I believe the cast bridge sounds darker because of its shape, the milled bridge is flat on the back side, the cast one has indentions from being pressed, so it changes how the sound moves through it. It also could be a weight thing, generally heavier objects seem to sustain lower frequencies better. Likewise, in order to cast something, you first have to melt it, the way it flows & then cools actually changes the structure, and can make metals stronger. Those are my 3 hypotheses. Mind you, I’m no metallurgist, I just took shop in school years ago.

[@sarojaband4664]

3:27. In My Time of Dying!! Awesome Rhett!! Thank you!! So I can die eeeesy... 🎶 🎵

[@manonbassguitar]

Coolest part of the video is the Ampeg fridge cabinet 🤘🏼

[@AndiPicker]

Remins me of one time talking to a very good luthier who was rebuilding my strat - he was shimiming the neck with a piece of maple and told me that he'd had a late 50s strat in with a shim made from a folded cigarette packet. He cut a new maple shim and fitted it, then took it out and replaced the cardboard becaue it sounded better. In this case I liked the funky cast bridge.

[@n197272]

Nice to have options, but can also be a mind bender!

[@marcaustin]

that sounds beautiful

[@christophervincent8420]

At first I thought is had a bit more clarity to the sound. But it being louder with a bit more mid and high range notes with the bass reduced in it made since. That's where I was getting that clarity from.

[@rickcarson9423]

It made a difference. But for better? Great video. Thanks!

[@me734]

Awesome Sauce

[@geddylee501]

Dude, you sound brilliant with each one, no difference

[@user-vn1qx1hy2w]

This guitar really works just like a banjo so it can cut through the orchestra. I have a luthier built tricone for around 25 years which is great for slide - but the action is very difficult to adjust unlike a conventional acoustic. Such a changeable bridge unit where by a different bridge height can be changed/ adjusted would be great> i use very heavy strings and tune i open C

[@TheDiaboliq666]

First tought "is my hearing that bad", then I saw others also prefered the old, cast bridge.

[@heavynov]

Both sound great, but I do prefer the cast bridge. Though I can imagine the CNC being easier to bring out it a mix.

[@marions.120]

The sound is much smoother!

[@Robert.Novack]

Apples and oranges. I like 'em both. Nice channel Rhett.

[@deplinenoise]

I like it. It got that punchy high midrange just like a National now.

[@trierf5882]

Huge différence! I obviously don’t know what it feels like in hands, but when listening to the guitar being recorded, the cast bridge sounds way better for my taste.

[@Kabayoth]

Casting aluminum is a vanishing art. Sand casting is the most common, and I can't fault Mule for going that way. There are two primary issues with sand casting. 1: The sand can get drawn into the metal, causing inclusions. The sand is also filled with air, which can bubble through the metal as it cools, causing more inclusions. 2: The metal does not cool at a consistent rate everywhere. This means there are hard spots throughout the cast. Billett metals have the advantage of uniform curing. This makes the crystalline structure uniform. They are also made in a manner to eliminate inclusions. If you have a yen for experimentation, start sanding down the T-bridge. Round off a sharp edge. Thin down the arms on the underside by .010". Sand off the casting scale. I wager your bass response will improve.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I’m so glad I can just order my Mule with the new T-bridge now. I know I would try and do it myself and make a mess of things 😂

[@robertdouglas4293]

Sweet! gives me ideas for a uniquely instrument of my own, plus swapable bridges for action! Thanks for the jumping off point Brother!

[@ezbass]

Damn you, Rhett! Now I want a resonator! 😂

[@mentalcog2187]

THIS is so freaking cool. The sound at the beginning is very sweet. The journey replacing the bridge piece is an experience. The sound after is even sweeter! Very Unique to that guitar I'm sure! YES! Massive Difference! Resonates stronger, deeper and all the comments you've made! Thanks for sharing that one!

[@Beefry222]

You could sell that cast bridge as a "played by Rhett Shull" piece of gear and I'm sure the Mule devotees would scramble for it. This was an interesting compare and contrast between original and updated, I assumed that resonators were resonators and the only thing that gets switched out are the strings. Cool to see Mule continuing to innovate.

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

Whenever I hear this 1:38 I imagine a movie where the camera's panning across a dusty desert with tumble weeds rolling by, a squeaky sign creaking, an old pickup truck pulling up to an old fashioned gas pump...

[@thomasdequincey5811]

I can hear a difference. The new bridge makes it project more, with more clarity and personality.

[@rafaelthiagoluizferreira1794]

Trying to explain this big difference: at first, it is noticeable at 4:59 that the bridges designs differ. The CNC design and the cast design may have different overal stiffnesses and masses, and therefore different natural frequencies, so they vibrate diferently in the guitar. The CNC looks stiffer and sounds stiffer when you "ring" them. Regarding to a difference in material, material specs are not mentioned, but you potentially have a more accurate microstructural control on a big slab of aluminum to be machined. The cast one may have some sort of micro porosities so to say (it is a rough guess, though), that could damp vibration a little. I'd guess it is a combination of both design and material. However, in my opinion, both sounds are perfectly usable as mentioned. Thanks for your videos.

[@pho-kingsoup8126]

A bit of an educated guess but the density would make a huge difference along with the crystalline structure of each material. The process for making a billet of solid material requires controlling cooling times for desired properties/crystal size. Not a metallurgist but thinking that may be a direction to explore.

[@JamesDierken]

The weight of the bridge piece is probably a big contributing factor to the sound. Objects with less mass absorb vibrations much easier than something with more mass, so a lighter bridge would probably resonate more than a heavier one. I'm curious to know how a wood or even carbon fiber bridge would sound.

[@thecompanyfront5935]

Its that, and actually how the material is processed. Its a porosity problem. Essentially, more porosity in the material=more vibration absorbtion. When casting a metal, porosity is common, whereas when machining a material from a billet, porosity is minimized. This is also why brass saddles, steel trem blocks, etc will have more sustain. Also, another cool factoid: vibration absorbtion is also dependent on the joints between two materials. If you have two similar materials being joined together, they will vibrate relatively evenly, whereas with two dissimilar materials distortions in the vibrations will occur at the interface of those two materials. This phenomenon explains why neck thru>set neck>bolt on in terms of sustain.

[@AJvsEverything]

@@thecompanyfront5935 Yeah, the grain structure of cast aluminum and something like the very common 6061 aluminum used for machining are very different from each other...cast is very uneven and loose, sort of like an asphalt road, and 6061 is more compact and tight like a concrete road...both are made with rocks and binding agents, but one is clearly stronger and denser than the other...

[@mercse]

Very Nice! You can definitely hear the improvement. As for myself, I have an older Republic Duolian single cone resonator. It was a used guitar when I bought it. The salesman wanted to show me how it sounded next to a new one. He was blown away by the sound of the used one versus the new one. He said it sounded so good that he wanted to see what is sounded against the Nationals he had in the shop. Needless to say it sounded better than just about everything in the shop except a 1930s National. Later when I was changing out the stock biscuit with a new maple one, I found that someone had a replaced the cone with a National replacement cone. I changed out the stock tuners with some Klusons and the guitar is awesome. Upgrades can definitely help.

[@stevestanford6386]

Brilliant difference.

[@SandcastleTheory]

I personally liked the old bridge better. Cheers!

[@elvee7851]

Noticeably better - sounds really good. Nice playing Rhett!

[@user-pg8pt2er9z]

The cast part is dark and warm but the cnc part is brighter louder and sounds fuller. Edit if you adjust the thickness of the t bridge it should shift the eq.

[@dougberry5003]

New one is much brighter sounding , I like it it a lot better then the old one.

[@jdsjunkdrawer]

Personally I liked the sound of the cast piece better. That darker tone ❤

[@snapfinger1]

Super clean & warm, more like a dobro due to your playing technique. More Mark Knoffler than Johnny Winter.

[@TheDrunkenScoundrel]

I am waiting to get my hands on 3D printer to experiment with different materials. Ever since I put a brass nut on my cheap LP copy and was completely floored by the change in sound. I'd love to see someone make chambered bridge and nuts out of bell material.

[@scottakam]

Interesting. Like most things with guitars, not exactly new technology. In manufacturing, casting is good enough for most things. Billet is one step up if you need more strength. Forging is best but most expensive start-up cost. Seems like changing the saddle material would make a bigger change in the sound.

[@TheRmoroni]

the dog is liking it!

[@user-me5fh3yu1j]

I like the brighter tone of the new bridge

[@tobymearing8407]

to my ears the original bridge sounds old and venerable, and the new version sounds young bright and open to adventure! they're both beauties, and i agree with you wanting to keep the veteran. i love resonators but never knew what was going on inside - so thanks for this vid.

[@tobymearing8407]

and the dog just makes this even better

[@lbarj]

thanks , I did not know how a resonator was constructed inside.

[@anthonyward8587]

Thanks for sharing this info, loved it. Sounded better for sure, Cheers from Melbs. Oz.

[@KellyHargroveGuitar-ir1do]

The Cast bridge has more air in the metal. That reduces the sustain. Also more bottom end is there is less highs. Bass travel's through the metal and the highs get cut off by the air trapped the the cast metal. The CNC one is most likely oxygen free aluminum.

[@youngfetus2932]

Love you Rhett!

[@martynridley3671]

I much preferred the sound of the old one. Seems like a more balanced tone; very authentic.

[@chesterproudfoot9864]

Honestly, it's hard to tell over the internet. So I'll have to take your word for it. 😎

[@justleavemealone]

Well, I'm no expert, but if I had to guess as to why there is such a difference, I would say the majority of it is from the physical 3D shape of the new bridge. Lesser contributing factors would have to include alloy composition, material consistency, and probably the smooth/polished finish vs the rough dull cast version. I like them both. Good call of keeping the old one. Can't hurt to have variety in the studio.