Prof_Turby Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 Greetings all... I am an original owner of a 67 Country Western... That's right... My grandparent's purchased this guitar for me for my 8th birthday present in Aug of 67... I have played it a lot over the years and replaced the bridge back in 83 when a crack showed up... My question for everyone... Everything that I have read dismisses the adjustable bridge and it's faults... To be honest with you I personally think that the guitar sounds great... But back to the point... I am contemplating changing the bridge over to a conventional one... Resell value to me is irrelevant... I will keep it until I die and then give it to my son... I have heard some say that the adjustable bridge it is a great tone killer... I have heard others say that it is not that great of a tone killer... So... By the preponderance of evidence here... What is the consensus of the experts here on the forums... Will I notice a difference in sound with a new non-adjustable bridge or not... Is it worth the effort... I will post a picture later when I get home...
j45nick Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 It will almost certainly sound a little different, but you may or may not prefer the change. If you like the guitar's tone the way it is, I wouldn't mess with it. You might get more mileage of out changing saddle materials but keeping the adjustable bridge. If you have the rosewood adjustable saddle, for example, you may find a pronounced increase in clarity by going to ceramic, bone, or tusq.
milod Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 I guess I'm mostly with Nick. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Then again, I'm just a grouchy old man who figures you're lucky to still have your guitar in playable condition. I think to put on a non-adjustable bridge, perhaps short of a floating bridge and added tailpiece, you may find it easier to buy a used Gibson - and be happier with the results thereof. Young guys like you should be happy you still have your first guitar. <grin> As for its future after you... Ever read or sing "McPherson's Rant" or play "Minstrel Boy?" There's some come here tae see me hang And some tae buy my fiddle But afore that I dae part wi' her I'd brak' her through the middle Or... The minstrel boy to the war is gone, In the ranks of death you'll find him; His father's sword he has girded on, And his wild harp slung behind him; "Land of Song!" said the warrior bard, "Though all the world betrays thee, One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard, One faithful harp shall praise thee!" The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain Could not bring his proud soul under; The harp he loved ne'er spoke again, For he tore its chords asunder; And said "No chains shall sully thee, Thou soul of love and bravery! Thy songs were made for the pure and free They shall never sound in slavery!" Then again... some might suggest those reflect my own politics rather than your own. m
tvguit Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 People love to hate on the adjustable bridge on the internet. I have both solid saddle and adj saddle Gibson guitars and I love them both. If this were my guitar, I would definitely keep the bridge you have. I'm sure it sounds great!
zombywoof Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 Cool. 1967 is the last year before Gibson started messing with the top bracing so a '67 will sound like a Gibson ought to. It is really not the ADJ bridge or stuff like the thick pickguard that causes folks to keep these guitars at arm's length. This stuff is easily dealt with if you so choose. It is the pencil thin neck and narrow nut which are the deal killer. Not a good or bad thing just personal preference but if you like a chunky neck and generous string spread a 1960s Gibson just ain't in the cards.
Stubee Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 I've played '60s Gibsons with adjustable saddles that walked all over their fixed saddle kin from the same years. If it sounds good to you I'd leave it just like it is.
E-minor7 Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 I am an original owner of a 67 Country Western... Point 1 - You don't tell if it's a rosewood or a ceramic saddle. Point 2 - There is a mid-option to be tried before making any radical decisions. Point 3 - Are you sure you know why you consider the exchange. The idea and rumor of better sound per better transmission ? Mmmmm, if it's the ceramic version, it's almost a little amplifier it self - but yes, a different voice indeed. Regarding point 2, you should get a luthier to make a wooden insert with an ordinary sized bone saddle in it. Then you can slip it down and back up as crazy as you want. You should also try different saddle insert-materials. As stated many times on these pages, I have : Rosewood Bone Tusq Old-vase-ivory Rosewood with ordinary sized bone saddle and rosewood with high E and B string wooden saddle and the rest in bone. Still need to try one of these http://cdn.shopify.c...eg?v=1380646689 Just re-checked if I wanted to change the original ceramic in my 1963 Southern Jumbo this weekend and the answer was negative. It stays were it is and gives the guitar it's personality - and one of the genuine Gibson sounds it is. . . All extremely good fun to fiddle around with. Especially as you can try out so many possibilities without risking anything (as you understand). A fine collection (not mine) http://i237.photobuc...ON/IMG_5281.jpg
Phelonious Ponk Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 I had the adjustable saddle n an SJ-200 of that same vintage changed to a rosewood insert/bone saddle. I would do it again, to any and every adj saddle Gibson that came into my possession. Will it make a huge difference in every guitar? Probably not. But metal hardware and air between the saddle and the top was just a bad idea. Changing it is a good one if you're in it for the tone, not the vintage authenticity. P
E-minor7 Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 I had the adjustable saddle n an SJ-200 of that same vintage changed to a rosewood insert/bone saddle. I would do it again, to any and every adj saddle Gibson that came into my possession. Will it make a huge difference in every guitar? Probably not. But metal hardware and air between the saddle and the top was just a bad idea. Changing it is a good one if you're in it for the tone, not the vintage authenticity. P I would never go against an exchange. Not for G-fundamentalistic nor sentimental og sonical reasons. And yes, I obviously see what is meant when you and people in common talk about too much metal inhibiting the top-vibrations. But honenstly - perhaps there's an academic dimension to this theory that doesn't necessarily hold up in reality. I'm not sure I would want the top of the guitars I tried with adjustables to swing more. They were loud and splendid sounding as they were and maybe they'ld over-boost. Same with my SJ - ok, I removed the under-top bolts, but the guitar didn't get louder or 'freer'. Lighter, , , but what did it do/improve. . .
E-minor7 Posted May 7, 2014 Posted May 7, 2014 However, , , to make it clear. The guitar will change flavor with different saddle sizes and materials. The basic identity will remain the same, but the nuances above it will alter. Like a person gettin' a new haircut, , , even a dye. . That comparison is for replaceable inserts. A entirely new bridge with stationary saddle, will be like a tattoo, , , or plast-surgery. . .
zombywoof Posted May 8, 2014 Posted May 8, 2014 What I never got is that folks will bad mouth the ADJ bridge to Kingdom Come but do not think twice about something like the oversized diamond bridge plate that Gibson started using around 1968. This would seem to be far more deserving of the sound killer moniker than the bridge.
Prof_Turby Posted May 8, 2014 Author Posted May 8, 2014 Thanks all for the reply's... I have attached a few photos... I did add a new saddle from Philadelphia Luthiers but still have the Rosewood saddle... I really appreciate all the advise...
E-minor7 Posted May 8, 2014 Posted May 8, 2014 Whauu,, , it is in hyper shape. Is the white a saddle a tusq thing, , and how did you experience the change ??
Prof_Turby Posted May 8, 2014 Author Posted May 8, 2014 It is a bone replacement saddle from Philadelphia Luthier... http://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/guitar-bass-nuts-saddles/replacement-adjustable-bone-saddle-for-gibson-acoustic-guitars/ It did brighten up the guitar somewhat over the original rosewood saddle... I really get great compliments on her when played...
E-minor7 Posted May 8, 2014 Posted May 8, 2014 ✓ Yeah, it should be a great deal louder and clearer than rose. Be glad you chose bone, not tusq. Tusq is vague in this context. . . Enjoy
JuanCarlosVejar Posted May 8, 2014 Posted May 8, 2014 Personally I love the look ... I would not change it . Your grandparents sure made the right choice with that guitar. Congrats on having such a treasure. JC
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