TSandwell Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 I'm going to buy a used 61 reissue SG. Reading on forums about this model quite a few people have talked about the ABR-1 bridge on pre-2004 models as being far superior to the Nashville bridge they started using in 2004 and recommend getting one from that era. Does it really make that much difference? will I be happy with a post 2003 61 reissue? Cheers Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSandwell Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 (edited) The Nashville bridge was introduced in the mid-'70s as an improvement over the original ABR-1. Â It's more solid; it doesn't have a tendency to collapse with age; the bridge-saddles have a wider range of travel; adjustment of the saddles is easier as the screw-head faces rearwards instead of towards the bridge pick-up ring; it is more solidly located on heavier-duty studs; there is not the slight chance that the posts will become deformed and bend forwards under string pressure; the saddles can't fall out accidentally if a string breaks... Â That's all that I can think of without putting some real thought into the matter. Â Pip. Â EDIT : I can't understand why a '61 Re-issue SG can come with a Nashville fitted in the first place. Very Odd Idea. Edited March 16, 2018 by pippy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eracer_Team Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 "Tone gods " prefer ABR1 bridge 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 (edited) "Tone gods " prefer ABR1 bridge Mere Luddites do too... Â Â Pip. Â EDIT : That should read SOME Luddites do too. My Bad. Edited March 16, 2018 by pippy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSandwell Posted March 23, 2018 Author Share Posted March 23, 2018 "Tone gods " prefer ABR1 bridge  but are they right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Nobody can hear your bridge so as usual, no, the "tone gods" are not right. Â rct 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 but are they right? Don't be silly. Â Pip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolution Six Posted March 24, 2018 Share Posted March 24, 2018 (edited) I hate the big Nashville bridge, to upgrade your SG with an ABR-1 bridge check Faber, Callaham, TonePros, etc... Â The cheapest and the best solution is using Philadelphia Luthier Tools conversion studs with a real Gibson ABR-1 bridge. I choose black because the Gibson is Trans Black , Â Â Â NEW ! Nashville studs made for the Gibson ABR-1 Bridge: Â http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/bridge-and-tailpieces/abr-1-bridges/abr-1-parts/conversion-posts-us-nashville-to-abr-1-m5-to-140-nickel/ Â An SG '61 Ri made before 2003 has a Gibson ABR-1 bridge and nickel hardware. Edited March 24, 2018 by Revolution Six 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSandwell Posted March 25, 2018 Author Share Posted March 25, 2018 I hate the big Nashville bridge, to upgrade your SG with an ABR-1 bridge check Faber, Callaham, TonePros, etc... Â The cheapest and the best solution is using Philadelphia Luthier Tools conversion studs with a real Gibson ABR-1 bridge. I choose black because the Gibson is Trans Black , Â Â Â NEW ! Nashville studs made for the Gibson ABR-1 Bridge: Â http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/bridge-and-tailpieces/abr-1-bridges/abr-1-parts/conversion-posts-us-nashville-to-abr-1-m5-to-140-nickel/ Â An SG '61 Ri made before 2003 has a Gibson ABR-1 bridge and nickel hardware. Â Why do you hate the Nashville? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolution Six Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 I prefer the ABR-1 design and with the Gibson ABR-1 strings don' t touch the bridge   Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 ...with the Gibson ABR-1 strings don' t touch the bridge... They do on the high- and low- E strings on the four guitars I have with ABR-1s. Â Pip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGgypsyboy Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 Raise the tailpiece as it was intended. Your problem will be solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 Raise the tailpiece as it was intended. Your problem will be solved. What problem? Â Pip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelDeVille Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 (edited) Some people need any excuse to fiddle with stuff... Â And by fiddle with stuff, I really mean **** with ****... Â Â Personally, I like harmonica bridges on no bevel SG's. Edited March 27, 2018 by AngelDeVille Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGgypsyboy Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 What problem? Â Pip. Â strings touching back of bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 strings touching back of bridge. I assure you; there's absolutely no problem on any of my guitars caused by the strings touching the back of the bridge. You are more than welcome to pop around any time to check them out for yourself if you doubt me. Â Pip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eracer_Team Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 It's those Tone gods that say. Thou shalt not touch back of bridge. Â Â I've seen those posts over the years herr 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted March 27, 2018 Share Posted March 27, 2018 ...I've seen those posts over the years here... Yup. Me too. Â Pip. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSandwell Posted March 28, 2018 Author Share Posted March 28, 2018 thanks for the help guys, very appreciated! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted April 3, 2018 Share Posted April 3, 2018 The Nashville pros: more stable (anchored), more room to fiddle with intonation. Â ABR-1 pros: looks like an ABR-1. Â YMMV, but given the choice - Nashville. No contest. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newlespauler Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 (edited) I am supposed to make the same decision soon. Does the supposed tonal superiority of ABRs, according to those who actually hear it, arise from being directly screwed into the wood? If so, the Nashville to ABR conversion kits won't be much use in that regard because they use the Nashville bushings right? Most fancy aftermarket bridges I am seeing are ABRs. Actually interested in trying couple of bridges like the Callaham steel, and I bet they each come with their own studs they advise to be used with, and screwing studs in and out of the wood does look kinda risky. Opinions? Edited April 18, 2018 by newlespauler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaicho8888 Posted April 24, 2018 Share Posted April 24, 2018 Pippy summarized it...except the saddle adjustment screws can go either way. The Nashville is more durable than the ABR-1 screw posts. Â I had a sixties Gibson that bent forward, I don't know if it's from the strings pushing against the back of the bridge. But looking back it's probably my rough rock'n rolling abuse when I was younger and more animated.... LOL. Anyway, I just used a pair of pliers to straighten the post bolts. Â As far as tone... meh. I notice bad tone when I don't practice. Â Â Â Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinch Posted April 25, 2018 Share Posted April 25, 2018 I am supposed to make the same decision soon. Does the supposed tonal superiority of ABRs, according to those who actually hear it, arise from being directly screwed into the wood? If so, the Nashville to ABR conversion kits won't be much use in that regard because they use the Nashville bushings right? Most fancy aftermarket bridges I am seeing are ABRs. Actually interested in trying couple of bridges like the Callaham steel, and I bet they each come with their own studs they advise to be used with, and screwing studs in and out of the wood does look kinda risky. Opinions? Â Nashville. The scrumptyliciousness of the Gibsons I've played with Nashville bridges have convinced me. My tinnitus came with a superpower apart from being able to turn into a spider in pajamas, battling Chibson makers worldwide: a hyper-whatchamacallit condition where I'm sensitive to high frequencies to the point where 19 and 20 kHz are different beasts altogether. Â This is just my experience, but I believe the tonal difference is, possibly, not even there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym466 Posted November 4, 2019 Share Posted November 4, 2019 I am thinking of getting my first SG and the 2019 61 appears to have abr-1 bridge. Anyone tried these yet? Comments on pickups vs 57 classics also welcome. thanks anthony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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