L5 bridge

gianluca · #1 01-20-2012, 05:54 AM

I recently purchased an '89 L5.
it has a wooden bridge: is it normal or somebody has changed it?

Retroman1969 · #2 01-20-2012, 07:18 AM

It has probably been changed.
As far as I know, the metal Tune-O-Matic type bridge has been standard on most Gibson electric archtops since at least the '60s.
Changing to a wooden bridge is a common modification.
(now custom shop acoustic L-5 models still have the wooden bridge from the factory)

gianluca · #3 01-20-2012, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

It has probably been changed.
As far as I know, the metal Tune-O-Matic type bridge has been standard on most Gibson electric archtops since at least the '60s.
Changing to a wooden bridge is a common modification.
(now custom shop acoustic L-5 models still have the wooden bridge from the factory)

...so i have to ask money back to that man...

PTChristopher · #4 01-20-2012, 07:53 AM

>>> ...so i have to ask money back to that man...

OK, as you see fit. We do not know the terms of the sale.

But note that a stock bridge is very easy to get and rather inexpensive. Also, it is quite possible that you will prefer the sound of the guitar with the wooden bridge.

Nuff Said · #5 01-20-2012, 09:38 AM

Quote:

But note that a stock bridge is very easy to get and rather inexpensive. Also, it is quite possible that you will prefer the sound of the guitar with the wooden bridge.

My experience with swapping many bridges over the years is that Rosewood is more mellow than ebony, ebony is more mellow than the metal.

You just need the bridge saddle (the top), not the full bridge, in Europe you can get the bridge saddle from here:

Archtop.ie - Luthier John Moriarty - Customisable Compensated Bridge for Archtop Guitar

Nuff

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #6 01-20-2012, 09:41 AM

I bet, in the end, you'll like the wooden bridge better than the tune-o-matic. But try them both.

Patrick2 · #7 01-20-2012, 10:13 AM

For whatever it's worth Gianluca, I have two L5 guitars, both purchased new. A 1994 L5CES and a 2011 L5 Wes Montgomery. The first thing I did with each of them was to replace the tune-o-matic bridge with an ebony saddle. Never looked back!! As mentioned here, you could easily get a metal TOM bridge for it. That might be a good idea. In fact, if you are a real tone junkie, get 2 metal TOM bridges. One with nylon saddles, and the other with the metal ones. They're relatively inexpensive. Then, you can have 3 different options of tonal response to choose from. Or, you could just enjoy the bridge already on there because that's more than likely the one you'll choose anyway

gianluca · #8 01-20-2012, 11:35 AM

many thanks to all.

at the end, you say, it has been an improvement put on by the old owner.

I'll keep it and I'll relax and enjoy my new beautiful guitar.

kamlapati · #9 01-20-2012, 11:47 AM

I guess everyone is assuming that your L-5 is an L-5CES. Is that correct?

My '46 L-5 and '77 L-5CN have rosewood and and ebony bridges respectively.

Especially on this forum, the letters after the "L-5" are important and should be stated. An L-5 is different from an L-5CES which is different from an L-5 Wes...

PTChristopher · #10 01-20-2012, 11:49 AM

[gianluca] >>> relax and enjoy my new beautiful guitar

Allright. I'll open my last bottle of Bressan 2004 Pinot Nero tonight and think of how good your guitar must sound.

Chris

Retroman1969 · #11 01-20-2012, 12:20 PM

Enjoy it, you have a great and iconic guitar.

And I'll add, as others have, that the first thing I do with any new archtop that has a metal T.O.M. is replace the saddle with a wooden one.

pingu · #12 01-20-2012, 12:39 PM

hmmmm ....... wood (better hmmmm)

oldane · #13 01-20-2012, 12:48 PM

As for TOM bridges, I like the one Gotoh makes. As opposed to old Gibson TOMs it doesn't have a buzzing retaining wire, so it keeps quiet. Alternatively, you can try a Graphtec Resomax made of aluminium with Tusq saddles which has a darker and less bell like tone than the Gotoh or an original Gibson TOM. If the wood saddle on your guitar is slanted but straight and the G string sounds sharp, you may want a compensated wood bridge saddle - Sadowsky makes one in ebony with good compensation (some compensated wood bridges are actually over compensated) and I have it on two of my guitars. All the metioned bridges are with standard Gibson post spacing (2 29/32") and are thus easy to swap on your existing Gibson bridge base.

Like others have said, you may well end up liking the sound of the wood bridge better than the TOM. But by all means, do try it out. I have done that with every new guitar I have got, and often I have ended up with another bridge saddle than the one that came with the guitar.

Jabberwocky · #14 01-20-2012, 01:07 PM

And don't forget titanium KTS saddles

gianluca · #15 01-20-2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamlapati

I guess everyone is assuming that your L-5 is an L-5CES. Is that correct?

My '46 L-5 and '77 L-5CN have rosewood and and ebony bridges respectively.

Especially on this forum, the letters after the "L-5" are important and should be stated. An L-5 is different from an L-5CES which is different from an L-5 Wes...

you are right, sorry: it is an L-5 CES.