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Trapeze tailpiece


LarryUK

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Is it possible to get a trapeze tailpiece for a normal les Paul?

I know the tribute 52 models have the stud fixing but I'm wondering if the bridge could stay and just have one to exchange the saddle.

Just for looks.

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I do like them myself but there is a reason Gibson moved away from them, I think

it was a tuning issue.

I have seen players use them as a whammy.

 

You can find them at most guitar shows $15-$25

 

I really like the way they look on a 335 but I dont think I would

put one on mine.

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+1

 

 

Here's an original 52 - http://home.provide.net/~cfh/lpgold0.html

 

52_gib_lespaul_3.jpg

It's a pity you can't get one like this that fits into the saddle bolt holes and keep the bridge.

I think the first trapeze bridges didn't have the bolts, so they 'floated'. Or am I wrong?

Looking at this tailpiece. I think this could be adjusted to fit a modern Les Paul. Are they available?

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I'm confused. You have an LP with a TUNE-O-MATIC bridge and a separate tailpiece, or is it a stop tailpiece/bridge (the one that looks like just the tailpiece?

 

And, what do you want to do exactly? I am understanding KEEP the bridge and also have a trapeze tailpiece?

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trap2.jpg

I'm confused. You have an LP with a TUNE-O-MATIC bridge and a separate tailpiece, or is it a stop tailpiece/bridge (the one that looks like just the tailpiece?

 

And, what do you want to do exactly? I am understanding KEEP the bridge and also have a trapeze tailpiece?

 

So. Imagine the above trapeze shortened and just change it for the tailpiece and keep the bridge.

I get my 60's tribute gold top on monday and wanted to give it a bit of a 52 look.

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I see. I think a regular trapeze with the TOM would look cool and be a good take on something that never existed, but could have. I think the LP style bar trapeze with a TOM bridge would look ridiculous, as the big ole bar would look out of place.

 

The problem would be the studs for the tailpiece-it would be very much the same as when there is a Bigsby added and the studs are seen on some 335's. It would look a little funny and cause people to ask, "why?".

 

I think I get what you are after, but I just can't think of anything. Maybe racing stripes?

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A thought:

 

You might maybe get a frequensater tailpiece. There is the Gibson type (like on the Howard Roberts fusion model) or the Epi type. I think they would both be too long, but you could check.

 

The Epi type, it seems to me would be easy to shorten. They are straight and have no taper, so I would think you could just cut the bars to length and re-thread them.

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If a Les Paul had that type of tailpiece. It would lengthen the strings thus making it easier to bend higher up the neck. Yes?

No, just the opposite. the longer the string is, the more you have to bend it to get a change in pitch, so you have to bend the string further to get the same amount of change in pitch.

 

That is kinda why people like the frequensater tailpieces I think, because the treble strings you are likely to want to bend are easier, and the longer ones can have that "ring" from that kind of thing you get.

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  • 8 months later...

If you got a Trapeze tailpiece and just ditched the stop bar but retained the bridge and the trapeze was of such dimensions that the end of the string were in a similar place to the stop bar, the strings would'nt be any longer and would'nt realy change the dynamics of the strings would it?

 

I'm just thinking out loud as i'm going to replace my wrap bridge, replace it with an adjustable bridge for intonation but fancied getting something different to hold the string ends and, as much as i like Bigsbys, i don't use a Tremolo that often and don't know whether i'd have tuning stability just for the sake of appearances.

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[confused] What? Play. Become a better guitarist, musician, songwriter, performer. Heck, learn how to cook something new, but forget about that.

 

Why forget about it? I do play; at least two hours every day. I've performed in many bands as guitarist and singer. I have a project guitar that i'm stripping and rebuilding but i'd like something a little 'different' rather than an LP that looks the same as anyone else. Do you not see that gaining knowledge about the workings of a guitar can be as valuable as any of the above? It's just a different aspect of being a competent musician.

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Guest farnsbarns

No, just the opposite. the longer the string is, the more you have to bend it to get a change in pitch, so you have to bend the string further to get the same amount of change in pitch.

 

That is kinda why people like the frequensater tailpieces I think, because the treble strings you are likely to want to bend are easier, and the longer ones can have that "ring" from that kind of thing you get.

 

It's true that you'd have to bend further but it takes less force. Most people consider it "easier" to bend a longer string. It does somewhat depend on your outlook I suppose.

More of a concern to me would be the effect on tone adding a trapeze might have.

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