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Author Topic: strings touching the back of the bridge  (Read 6172 times)

5F6-A

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« on: August 25, 2007, 09:39:14 PM »
My guitar has the nashville bridge. My strings do not clear the back of the bridge as I use a B7 bigbsy. My question is if whether or not there is consensus on the negative impact of strings touching the back of the bridge.

Thanks
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WezV

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2007, 11:21:38 AM »
its not going to help the trem function well
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Twinfan

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2007, 11:52:51 AM »
I've found it strangles sustain a bit on the affected strings.  This was with a stop bar tailpiece.
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Ratrod

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #3 on: August 26, 2007, 12:14:49 PM »
Swap it for an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic.
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Will

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #4 on: August 26, 2007, 01:22:49 PM »
Doesn't the ABR1 have a different post spacing?
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5F6-A

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2007, 09:06:14 PM »
Quote from: Will
Doesn't the ABR1 have a different post spacing?


exactly the ABR-1 and nashville bridges are very different.. I'm thinking about using some washers to raise up the bigsby a bit,. Also I'll whack the saddles all the way back for max clearance and then adjust th intonation.
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WezV

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2007, 10:32:25 PM »
the problem is that if you raise the bigsby too much you wil loose sound quality and sustain because of a lack of pressure on the bridge - the better solution is to find a roller bridge that you can make fit, so even if it still touches the back of the bridge it still only has one place to snag
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Ratrod

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #7 on: September 04, 2007, 11:13:23 AM »
Here's some roller bridges for ya.

http://www.guitarvalue.com/brtp.htm
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Philly Q

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #8 on: September 04, 2007, 01:30:51 PM »
Quote from: Will
Doesn't the ABR1 have a different post spacing?

I think it may depend on the manufacturer, but 74mm seems pretty standard for tune-o-matic post spacing - I have a Gotoh ABR-1 type sitting on Nashville posts and it fits perfectly.

Another thought - Graphtech string saver saddles?  They're a bit taller than the metal saddles.  I put some on my The Paul and the strings are now clear of the back of the bridge.  Only the two E strings were touching though, I'm not sure how low the Bigsby sits?
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Ratrod

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2007, 06:07:48 PM »
The B7 has a tension bar wich means the strings are kept down more and are at a sharper angle. A Les Paul with a B7 really needs a rolling bridge or graphite saddles. Not only because the strings touch the back of the bridge but also because of potential tuning stability problems.

Guitars with a bridge on a base and a B6 don't have that problem. The angle and presure of the strings on the bridge are lower and the bridge wiggles along a bit with the vibrato.
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5F6-A

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #10 on: September 07, 2007, 09:06:26 PM »
I think I'm going a drastic yet the best option. Plug those holes in and install a ABR-1 bridge with titanium saddles....

A good friend of mine is an excelent luthier and he'd do it for me gladlywhen he finds some time....
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"I now consider atheism to be brutal because it offers neither consolation nor liberty of any kind" Benjamin Constant in 1804
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Philly Q

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #11 on: September 08, 2007, 12:31:48 AM »
Quote from: 5F6-A
I think I'm going a drastic yet the best option. Plug those holes in and install a ABR-1 bridge with titanium saddles....

Before you go for drastic surgery, why not try the ABR-1 on the Nashville posts?  It worked fine on my V.
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Will

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2007, 12:45:09 AM »
Suppose it would be cheaper to play with alternative bridges rather than go in for guitar surgery so quickly?

Just my opinion, but I always find it a bit weird seeing the two filled holes of a bigsby removed. Doesit affect the value?
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5F6-A

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strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #13 on: September 08, 2007, 08:44:56 PM »
Quote from: Philly Q
Quote from: 5F6-A
I think I'm going a drastic yet the best option. Plug those holes in and install a ABR-1 bridge with titanium saddles....

Before you go for drastic surgery, why not try the ABR-1 on the Nashville posts?  It worked fine on my V.


I'll try although the bridge might wobble a bit... oh well if it does hopelessly I'll go on with the "drastic" option. I'll keep you posted......

;)
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"I now consider atheism to be brutal because it offers neither consolation nor liberty of any kind" Benjamin Constant in 1804
"Practice until you can hear the metronome grooving" Carol Kaye

cjdean1

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Re: strings touching the back of the bridge
« Reply #14 on: May 30, 2009, 09:39:02 AM »
I have a Gibson LP-295 (Les Paul goldtop with a factory installed Bigsby).
The strings touch the back of the tune-o-matic bridge as supplied by Gibson. This has graphtech saddles standard, so I would not consider this as a fix!
I am considering having a reduced diameter tension bar machined up for the bigsby, which would reduce the angle on the strings back onto the bridge.

But you know, I really don't think it matters a lot. This guitar sounds incredible, and holds tune very well.
I think the main drawback of this issue is restricted range of the Bigsby, but how much? Couldn't be sure.
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