Tone Pro Bridges

[PhilKing]

I have a tonepros TOM on my chambered Les Paul.  I also used the tonepros locking studs with a schaller bridge/tailpiece.  I cannot recommend the tonepros loking studs,  they are very awkward to adjust once the bridge is under tension.  The Wilkinson ones are much better.  To adjust the tonepros you have to use a little spanner that they give you on a rounded corner square.  The top slot only tightens the stud to the bridge.  

The TOM is much better, but whether it really makes a difference is debateable.  I didn't really hear anything.  The only goof thing is that the bridge doesn't fall off if you take all the strings off!! I'm not sure if the vibrations are transferred better when the bridge can also vibrate a bit too!

[Philly Q]

I cannot recommend the tonepros loking studs,  they are very awkward to adjust once the bridge is under tension.  The Wilkinson ones are much better.  To adjust the tonepros you have to use a little spanner that they give you on a rounded corner square.  The top slot only tightens the stud to the bridge.

I have TonePros studs on most of my guitars with wraptail bridges.  I agree that they're quite tricky to set up - once they're tightened you can't change the height or intonation.  I also ended up damaging the slots on a couple of pairs by trying to over-tighten.

But since I don't really believe the claim that they dramatically improve sustain, now I mostly use them just to stop the bridges tilting forward.  So I do the studs up quite loosely, set the height and intonation, loosen the strings again and tighten the studs just a little more with a thick plastic plectrum.  It's enough to (a)stop the tilt and (b)stop the bridge falling off.  

I also have several of the TonePros T-O-Ms.  Having a bridge that doesn't fall off when you change strings is nice, but if you're buying them expecting a big change in tone and sustain you'll be disappointed.  There may be a difference, but it's not much.

If you just want a new T-O-M bridge, it's worth considering the equivalent Gotoh models, which are identical to the TonePros apart from the grub screws - and about half the price.

[Sifu Ben]

I've got a Tonepros on my 7 string, and it's a nice, solid, well made TOM. As it's stock I can't really comment on the tonal aspects.
 I recently got a Wilkinson roller locking TOM for my Epi SG, and although I haven't fitted it yet, I can say it's a really high quality, well made piece of kit, and it cost less tham half a Tonepros.

[horsehead]

err I'm gonna come across as dumb now...what is TOM please?

[Will]

tune o matic

[horsehead]

ahhhhhhh

[horsehead]

Jonathan where do you get the gotoh aluminium tailpieces from please, I'm being nosey & can't find them anywhere please.

actually I'll give you a call later

----------------
Now playing: Black Crowes - Wyoming And Me
via FoxyTunes

[Twinfan]

I got mine from WD Music I think although Jonathon stocks them too.....

[Philly Q]

I get them from eBay, but don't want to deprive Feline of business.

[Twinfan]

Indeed.  I got mine before I knew Jonathon had them.

[FELINEGUITARS]

We get the Gotoh ones in via a number of available sources
I tend to use them up on customs quickly so I am always having to reorder

[HTH AMPS]

Johnathon, have you used the Faber tailpieces, bridges and locking studs?

They got great reviews on the LPF and the prices are right too (aluminium tailpiece 28Euro, locking stud kit 24Euro, brass saddle ABR 38Euro).  There are also 'aged' options which generally cost no more except for the bridge where its an extra 10Euro.

Been meaning to try them for ages, but I'm trying to stop buying things for a while (planning on moving house).

I believe PigTails are also favoured over there?

the Pigtail stuff is supposed to be great, but they seem expensive and the guy running the show seems to accept your order along with payment then take a number of months to send the stuff out, all the while ignoring all emails and phone calls.

for those reasons, I don't care how good the product is, I'd go with Faber, Tonepros or someone else if I was looking for LP bridges/tailpieces/studs.

[Philly Q]

the Pigtail stuff is supposed to be great, but they seem expensive and the guy running the show seems to accept your order along with payment then take a number of months to send the stuff out, all the while ignoring all emails and phone calls.

I've ordered from PigTail four times, I think.  You're right, Steve Rowen can be very uncommunicative and orders can take a long time, but other times he's responded instantly to emails and sent the items very quickly.  I don't know if he's a slightly disorganised type of personality or just a very busy man.

I think most people running these small companies are decent guys who'll go out of their way to help if they can.  I've recently had email correspondence with Jason Lollar, TV Jones, Dale from Glendale guitars and of course our own Tim... all very nice, very helpful chaps.  The only person I ever dealt with who was a bit of an arse was Joe Barden.

[horsehead]

Ok gotta ask...what happened with Barden please?

[Philly Q]

Ok gotta ask...what happened with Barden please?

It wasn't a big deal really, but a long time ago I bought one of his pickups and it didn't work properly - it squealed like a pig every time I touched one of the blade polepieces.

When I contacted him, instead of saying OK sorry I'll replace it, he made a big fuss that there couldn't possibly be anything wrong, had I had it wired professionally? (one pickup  :roll:), etc.  Anyway, I had to pay the shipping for both the return and the replacement (which worked perfectly, despite being once again wired in by my own clumsy hands).  And even then he insisted there was nothing wrong with the one I sent back. 

It wasn't long after that that his business went tits up.