Quality LP hardware in the UK?

[Pierre]

Besides Tonepros (Which are a little expensive for me...), what can I get as an upgrade for my LP? The hardware on it should be Gotoh though it says so nowhere (they are cast with 'Made in Japan' though, and Edwards uses Gotoh so I'll go with that). But I want black hardware for her, so I figured I'd upgrade a little...Looking for tailpiece + bridge sets or to buy seperately, if appropriate.
Where should I look into and what should I look for?

Thanks guys!

[Twinfan]

Gotoh hardware would get my vote.  Jonathon at Feline Guitars should be able to get what you need  :)

[WezV]

i am happy with Gotoh

[Philly Q]

Or try WD Music.

The TonePros stuff is mostly modified Gotoh anyway - if you buy a TonePros tune-o-matic or tailpiece it's a Gotoh piece with a couple of locking grub screws added to it.

[Pierre]

Alright thanks... Looking into it, but I found some much cheaper Tonepros so it's likely I'll go for these.

However my LP uses ABR style posts (i.e the screw is in the body without inserts, and the thumbwheels are used to determine the height of the bridge. They don't screw in inserts).
Can I safely go with a Nashville style bridge? The T3BP seems to fit the bill, with similar post measurements, saddle spacing etc...
like this... thumbwheels are seperate.
This the type I want to use:

[Philly Q]

The post spacing is usually the same - 74mm - but it does seem to vary a tiny bit with different manufacturers.  The T3BP has slightly bigger holes than the TP6, so you should be OK anyway.

With TonePros tune-o-matics, I think it's better to use Nashville-style posts rather than ABR-style (even with an ABR bridge).  If you use the ABR posts, once the bridge is locked in place with the grub screws there's nothing to stop the thumbwheels moving around - which seems to defeat the object a bit, as the bridge could easily slip.

[mikeluke]

Might not be appropriate but you could try this guy too

http://www.fake58.co.uk/

Mike

[Pierre]

Probably going to go for:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gotoh-Tuneomatic-guitar-bridge-BLACK_W0QQitemZ130281480734QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item130281480734&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gotoh-Stop-Tailpiece-Black-Chrome-gibson-les-paul-sg_W0QQitemZ260241933036QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item260241933036&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1298|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

The bridge looks like a simpler unit to mine which I prefer, and in total that'll be £36.9.
If I went for the Tonepros set from Thomann it'd be close to £75...

[Philly Q]

One thing to watch out for:  the Gotoh tailpiece studs have metric threads (M8) but your LP will probably have imperial threads (assuming it's a US model).

[Pierre]

Nope it's an Edwards, so it's all good. The tailpiece is definitely a Gotoh (I'd forgotten to check but it was cast on the underside of it. Doh) so that'll fit, and the bridge has got the correct hole size etc...

[hendrixfan]

job done :lol:

[Pierre]

Indeed, I just ordered the bridge + tailpiece from WD Music, for a little cheaper. Woot! Should be with me Saturday morning or Monday.

Issue now, I need to shim the nut :(

[Philly Q]

Probably just as easy to get a new nut fitted, I'd have thought.

[Pierre]

Indeed. I usually do my own nuts but I can't be arsed this time, I've never done one for a Les Paul either... And this one keeps its tuning VERY well so it's easier keeping it, just taking it off, shimming, back on, et voila.

I can't do this myself as I don't have the right tools to plan the nut shelf if needed (glue tends to stick to wood and tear it aside when you pull the nut away) and the nut is also laquered along with the neck... I don't want to mess up the finish.

[Philly Q]

I can't do this myself as I don't have the right tools to plan the nut shelf if needed (glue tends to stick to wood and tear it aside when you pull the nut away) and the nut is also laquered along with the neck... I don't want to mess up the finish.

Point taken.  That's the thing that makes me hesitant about changing nuts, too.