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Les Paul Deluxe ABR1? Really!


CH1

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Posted

Did Gibson ever issue the Les Paul Deluxe with an ABR1?

 

I've seen one in a shop locally and the sales guy says it came stock (he says the guitar in question is a 74).

 

CH1.

Posted

In the Gibson LP manual ..it stated that the Deluxe had an ABR1 tune-0-matic type bridge...It states that the bridge has the 50's type metal saddles.. but no "modern" retaining spring...

 

Regards

Flight959

Posted

Flight959 that's a mis quote, it says under the section titled Bridge.

 

"The bridge of the original ABR-1 Tune-o-Matic type has the usual thumbscrews for height adjustment. The string length adjustment requires a conventional straight-slot screwdriver. The bridge has 50's type metal saddles but no modern retaining spring.

 

Also, if you have the book in front of you note the pictures of the bridge on the "Typical Example of the Deluxe" on page 134.

Posted
My '73 has an original ABR (nylon). Never know what you're going to get in the '70s.

 

Cut.jpg?

 

 

 

I can see the three piece top - which looks at though it's seen some action but it also has 'buckers and tone and Vol steel pointers - neither of which to my knowledge came as standard on a Deluxe.

 

How can you tell the bridge was original and not altered to fit the existing posts?

 

Cheers.

Posted
How can you tell the bridge was original and not altered to fit the existing posts?

 

You can't. The ABR-1 and the "Nashville" sit on the same posts. Maybe you can determine a date when Gibson started using the Nashville bridge' date=' if it was after that guitar was built, then you have your answer.

 

As for the knob pointers, my '75 Standard does NOT have pointers. My guitar is factory stock (except I removed the pickguard) for I bought it new in '75, and has been used as a "model" for restoring LP's from this era.

 

[img']http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2312/2327165660_9e4b20a9f5_o.jpg[/img]

 

PS: This tallies up as my 400th post, I need to get a life.

Posted

Congrats on the post count!

 

The ABR1 post spacing is 2-29/32" the Nashville post spacing is 2-15/16". They are not interchangeable.

AFAIK an ABR1 bridge will not fit on Nashville posts unless the post holes have been made oval - This was not an uncommon mod so I'm suprised more folk aren't chiming in!

 

Nice Burst on that top by the way.

Posted
of course Gibson made an LP Deluxe w/ ABR-1s.

 

The Nashville bridge was first used in 1977

Really?? - Is this documented anywhere you can point to?

 

Only I've found a reference that suggests it was at least available on a L5CES between 72 and 73

 

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=X9fxFuF7QEUC&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=history+Gibson+%22nashville+bridge%22&source=web&ots=mIVOWawTqZ&sig=xZxA4nHThNklXj2IHWt-r4KUue0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result

 

I'm sure it was even earlier than that but I cant find it documented anywhere

Cheers.

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