Gibson - better bridge?

[pdf64]

'So, this sounds like an issue with saddle wear rather that the actual bridge sagging'

Well, it's a combination of the 2 that's causing a playability problem but honestly, those crummy bridges are sagging!
Saddle wear can be expected, but it doesn't seem sensible to replace saddles on a unit that's sagging; do I notch the outer saddles deeper to maintain the profile - how long till it gives way some more?
The 'Gibson ABR1' bridge seems far more sturdy that the 'Made In Germany' ones.
Rather than die cast iron, the material used is a non magnetic zinc type material; looking at it, you get the impression that it would give way under pressure over time.

[David Schwab]

FTFY

Well the bridge is 12". If Gibson can't set up their machinery to do the fingerboards right, it's just another reason to not buy any Gibsons.

But, do you have anything to back that up?

You wont find that problem on Ibanez guitars.

Also, it's a simple matter to adjust the saddles if you need to fine tune the radius.

[David Schwab]

I agree. Especially when half of the time the nuts are slotted too low and need to be replaced right out of the box. Ironically, this seems to be more prevalent on the more expensive models. I guess the more time they put into them, the longer they have to mess them up.

How's this for sloppy work?



I guess a little sanding is out of the question!

Maybe sometime I'll post a photo-essay of all of the glaring defects I found while examining a Firebird X. Just for laughs...

That whole guitar is a defect!

[David Schwab]

The German bridges are made by Schaller. I thought they made all of Gibson's parts in the past. Who makes the Gibson ABR1?

I know Gotoh is also making them.

[jrfrond]

Yeah, there's a lot of sloppy work on new, overpriced Gibson's.

I never trust the radius on a TOM when installing a new one, and will recut the slots as necessary, using my StewMac Understring Radius Gauges (my absolutely FAVORITE setup tool) as a guide to achieve a perfect radius.

[Plucky]

Well the bridge is 12". If Gibson can't set up their machinery to do the fingerboards right, it's just another reason to not buy any Gibsons.

But, do you have anything to back that up?

25 years of experience, and having worked on thousands of Gibson electrics.

I'll post some pictures later, when I have time and I'm not using my phone for intertubes. The site won't allow uploading of photos from Crapple mobile devices.

[Plucky]

By the way, there seems to be a persistent contextual ad to the right of the first post(not sure if it's the same for everyone), that has a very looong video of a Gibson press conference with Jusczkiewicz. It's worth viewing for the sake of it.

By the way, I personally wouldn't set up shop next to an airport...

[the great waldo]

Hi David

I saw a Les paul abr1 on a new les paul gold top which was chinese PW Ping is the manufacturer, it looked pretty crappy and none of the saddles fitted well and the casting of the main bridge was poor. The guitar itself sounded ok but I was surprised to see a 4 piece body. I have a few bent les paul bridges mainly with the long patent numbers from the 70ī- 80īs Gotoh did a nice abr1 bridge for a while with no wire and no nuts on the other end of the intonation adjustment screw ( I just donīt like the look of the nuts) but I never found anyone that sold them. If you know of a scource of gotoh abr1īs without the nuts please let me know.
CHEERS

Andrew

The German bridges are made by Schaller. I thought they made all of Gibson's parts in the past. Who makes the Gibson ABR1?

I know Gotoh is also making them.

[David Schwab]

Gotoh did a nice abr1 bridge for a while with no wire and no nuts on the other end of the intonation adjustment screw ( I just donīt like the look of the nuts) but I never found anyone that sold them. If you know of a scource of gotoh abr1īs without the nuts please let me know.

Who makes this one?

STEWMAC.COM : Details about ABR-1 Tune-o-matic Bridge

[pdf64]

'Who makes the Gibson ABR1?'
1st photo shows the underside of the nice Gibson ABR1 from the LP 58 reissue I got last year. See small round logo next to the ABR1, something like a circle, inside which are 2 characters superimposed, maybe a 'J' and a 'D'.
2nd photo shows the topside. The saddles/screws seem firmly attached to the body, though it's not obvious how. Body, screws and saddles don't seem to be magnetic.
3rd photo shows the 'Made in Germany' Nashville TOM; the arch looks to be distorted.

The ABM brass Nashville bridge has arrived; it's a bit wider than either of the bridges above, 14.2mm compared to 13.8mm 'Made in Germany' Nashville and 11.1mm for the ABR1. So it looks a little chunky but seems really high quality, operates smoothly and sounds solid and clear. I'll have to record some comparison clips in order to re-assure myself that the tone improvement isn't self-deception.
Pete.

[David Schwab]

That Schaller bridge must have gotten weak because of the material removed under the saddles. That's a stupid design.