Roller Bridge replacement

[surfpup]

Mentioned in the "Santa thread that I had received a new roller bridge that I was hoping would fit my Gretsch Electromatic Double Jet.

Wasn't so sure about fit, since it was described as a Gibson TOM fit.

 

 

Went ahead and installed it today - Fits well and easy to install...

 

 

You can see the original posts had had a much larger diameter for the Gretsch bridge, but the replacement posts fit in the bushings

- didn't even need the provided bushings.

 

 

 

Intonation sets easily for each string.

 

 

My only concern is that I have the thumbwheels pretty much cranked all the way down, but the action is good with 10s so I shouldn't

need to lower it anyway. And it stays in tune well so far. It also has set screws that lock to the posts. Overall I'd give it two thumbs up. [thumbup]

 

[merciful-evans]

That seems a more appropriate bridge for the Bigsby. I have considered changing to rollers on one of my guitars.

 

A couple of questions.

 

Did it take long to set intonation afterwards?

 

The Gretch Electromatic. I love the look of them. How do you rate it soundwise?

[Riffster]

Yep, that's what I put on mine. It was a direct drop in.

 

The difference is that my double jet is older and the posts were standard. The bridge I bought did not come with anything but did not need it it just dropped in. The stock bridge was collapsed.

[surfpup]

That seems a more appropriate bridge for the Bigsby. I have considered changing to rollers on one of my guitars.

 

A couple of questions.

 

Did it take long to set intonation afterwards?

 

The Gretch Electromatic. I love the look of them. How do you rate it soundwise?

 

Setting the intonation took longer than installing the bridge - but still all done in an hour I'd say. The set screws you have to loosen to adjust intonation are directly under the string, so you have to be careful - and being careful takes time. Over all easy peasey still.

 

As for sound, the Electromatic Double Jet is cool. At first I found it dark and muddy, but lowering the pickups made a big difference, as did adding a treble-bleed on the master volume. It certainly doesn't sound like a big hollow Gretsch - it's its own thing I guess you could say.

[zigzag]

I am very curious to know if this helps with tuning stability with your Bigsby. I've been considering another Gretsch, but was going to get one without the Bigsby because of tuning stability issues. I like a Bigsby but for that.

[StRanger7032]

Those roller bridges work nicely. I have one on my custom built SG. I would avoid these in gold finish, unless you like the relic look. Mine looked 20 years old in a few months. I think you could literally wipe off the gold finish with your finger if you wanted to. Chrome should have no such issues.