Is this bridge the right replacement for my guitar?

[Rikard]

Hi again all,

 

I've got pretty deep grooves in the "bridge-pieces" (the 6 pieces which each of the strings rest on), don't know their correct name in english, hopefully you know what I mean.

 

What do you think, is this bridge the right replacement for my 2004 Classic LP (with golden hardware)?

http://www.thomann.de/se/gibson_abr1_gold_tuneomaticbridge.htm

 

Thanks in advance, and merry christmas all

Rikard

[Flight959]

Bridge saddles is the name your looking for!

 

Flight959

[retrosurfer1959]

you should be able to replace the string saddles without swapping out the whole bridge.

[Rikard]

Ahh, bridge-/string saddles, thanks guys!

I will talk to my local shop, they should be able to deliver those for me.

 

Many thanks!

Rikard

[Guitar slinger]

you should be able to replace the string saddles without swapping out the whole bridge.

 

Especially if he is gonna change on string at a time - wich most guys say it's the right thing to do, due to the truss rod x string tension balance.

 

Unless you want to clean the guitar, then you remove all strings at a time.

[Rikard]

All saddles have quite deep groves (well, some of them have two groves aswell

I will definitely consider changing them one at the time, so I don't run into some unpleasant surprices.

 

Thanks for the advice Guitar Slinger!

Rikard

[bobv]

There are two types of Gibson bridges, the "ABR-1" that's now used only on Historic Reissues (at leaset for Les Pauls) and the more modern Nashville style. The saddles are not interchangeable, but there are replacement saddles available for either type.

 

If you have the ABR-1 type bridge (with a little retaining wire and small threaded studs that go into the wood) then the saddles will come loose if you just look at them funny.

 

If you have a Nashville bridge, you need to get at the retaining clips from underneath in order to get the saddles loose.

 

Once you replace them, you need to carefully position the strings so that they are spaced proportionally and at the same time the high and low E strings sit the proper distance from the fret ends. The notches should be cut with a set of gauged nut-slot files so they're no bigger than they need to be. In other words, replacing the saddles is probably a job best done by a qualified and well recommended tech. If some of your saddles have two notches, it's probably because someone flipped the saddles around in order to get the proper intonation adjustment. Sounds like a job for a professional - not very complicated or expensive, but just the same it's real easy to mess it up.

[Rikard]

Thanks for your reply, Bob.

 

I am not sure which bridge type I have, so I have taken a photo of it (see below). Is it possible to see if mine is a "ABR-1" type bridge?

 

As you say, it's probably better to have it done by a guitar technician, cannot really be that expensive.

 

Rikard

 

[AXE®]

It's a Nashville Bridge...

 

Replacements are cheap...

[Rikard]

Ahh yes, even I can see the difference between those models now .. Thanks for your answer Axe!

Also, since I don't even have any gauged files it's obvious that I will have someone else helping me with this.

 

Thanks all, and merry christmas!

Rikard

[80LPC]

Rikard, your bridge is fitted the wrong way.

[the_HEWC]

Rikard' date=' your bridge is fitted the wrong way.[/quote']

 

yeah, isn't it flipped backwards... aren't the screws for intonation supposed to be headed downwards towards the stop piece on those guitars? I know it is on my studio, but not on my R6 (I think it is intended to be like that on that model)

[80LPC]

The 1st / 2nd strings are sunk down low in the wide grooves, and the 5th / 6th are perched high on the saddle. I think this accounts for the strange saddle adjustments.

[Rikard]

Omg, flipped backwards?! According to your post HEWC, it seems that my bridge might be turned the right way, but that it also can be turned the wrong way. I guess that i got a new issue for the Gibson support tech's to solve ..

 

What about you Classic's Owners, in which way are your bridges turned, like mine or the other way?

 

Thanks for the heads-up on this guys!

Rikard

[hellion102792]

It does look backwards to me, but you shouldn't have to bring it to your tech if it is. When you take off all the strings it slides right off the poles, no tools involved. Just turn it around next time you change your strings and it will be fine.

[the_HEWC]

It does look backwards to me' date=' but you shouldn't have to bring it to your tech if it is. When you take off all the strings it slides right off the poles, no tools involved. Just turn it around next time you change your strings and it will be fine.[/quote']

 

Yeah it's really an easy and quick fix.

 

Hope it works out for you Rikard

[ninety1vee]

you should look at these

 

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gibson-Nashville-TOM-Replacement-Saddles-6-wScrews?sku=306108

 

and if you wanna get fancy

 

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/TonePros-Standard-TuneOMatic-Bridge-Small-Posts-with-Graph-Tech-Saddles?sku=300219

[Rikard]

Thanks for all replies guys!

 

I have mailed the Gibson Tech Support about the way the bridge is turned, I wouldn't be surpriced if it's turned the wrong way due to your comments, and yes, turning the whole bridge piece seems quite easy really - good :)

 

Thanks for the links to the replacement saddles, Ninety1vee. I could not see any Standard in golden finish (as I have now), but on the other hand, the TonePros golden bridge with graphite saddles look really very very nice. Seems to be good for the strings and tone too :D In any case, I will try to find replacements for my worn-out golden saddles so I will be able to restore it in original (or factory) condition if I would like to do that later.

 

Thanks all!

Rikard

[the_HEWC]

Before you buy anything new, try just to flip it and see if the groves are too deep still. Could be that it's worn out, but if your lucky it will fit. When I look at the picture you posted it seems that the groves for the thick E-string is to narrow and for the thin e-string it is too deep, when you flip it things might be alright unless the previous owner widened the groves or wore them out.

 

Best of luck anyways!

[Rikard]

Yes, I thought of doing so after 80LPC:s reply (since he noticed that too). Unfortunately 5 out of 6 saddles have more than one grove/saddle, so they're more or less "ruined" already ...

 

Thanks for the advice though!

Rikard

[the_HEWC]

Yes' date=' I thought of doing so after 80LPC:s reply (since he noticed that too). Unfortunately 5 out of 6 saddles have more than one grove/saddle, so they're more or less "ruined" already ...

 

Thanks for the advice though!

Rikard[/quote']

 

aww that's too bad. It's a nice looking guitar, and I hope it works out for you.

[Rikard]

Thanks HEWC,

For the moment I'm trying to get references of experienced guitar tech's here in Sweden (in the Gothenburg area to be exactly). I'll let you all know how it all ended up.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, you are great!

Rikard

[bobv]

Good plan, but meanwhile just try flipping it around the proper way. Looks like the plain strings are swimming in big grooves meant for the wound strings, and when the bridge got flipped around it would have messed up the intonation if it was properly set to begin with.

 

Usually the low E, A, and D saddles, or sometimes just the E and A, are flipped around facing the other way so you can get the proper intonation. If someone flipped the individual saddles around that might have been the reason for the extra string grooves. So you're right it needs some good care from a pro, but again you'd do well just to flip that bridge back around to the proper position. Be careful if you remove all the strings at once because the tailpiece can slide loose also, so protect the finish if you take off all the strings.

[Rikard]

I was thinking about flipping it around, but since I sent the Support at Gibson a mail, asking how it should be turned, I rather wait a day or two for their answer. Also, the intonation will be all wrong if I flip it, this since the saddles are positioned so independently. I wait for their answer so I won't have to turn them back again afterwards.

 

It's funny, but I've seen quite a few photos of Les Pauls where the bridge been turned both ways ... really frustrating in a way .. Well in a day or two I expect the answer from the support :)

 

Regards,

Rikard

[Guitar slinger]

I think the old ABR1 bridge's (and their reissues) are supposed to be placed just like your bridge is right now, but the newer nashville bridges shouldn't be like that.

 

But I'm just guessing.