Arch-top bridge experiment

[Philco]

Originally Posted by PTChristopher

I think my description of the potential for rattling screws was pretty misleading yesterday, so I edited it to this:

************

In my opinion it is not always the wire.

On an ABR-there is some significant manufacturing variety. Often the saddle can be in a position where the screw is not pressed (forward or backward) against the threads in the saddle. If the screw head or flange is also not pressing against the bridge body it can be that it is actually a screw rattling, and not the 'wire of evil'.

I have a spool of light gray (for chrome/nickel) and a spool of gold (um, for gold bridges) colored nylon thread that are specifically for wrapping around the heads of ABR-1 screws (and hitting with CA) to keep the screws from rattling in those cases where the screw is not making solid contact with the bridge body.

Chris

Yes I always wondered if it was also the screws rattling around. In my case I could stop the noise by touching the wire so I think that was the major cause.
That noise did stop when I removed the wire.
Still your solution sounds like the way to be 100% sure....if I were to keep the gibson bridge.

[Philco]

Originally Posted by oldane

I don't hae any experience with the Graphtech saddles in a normal Gibson TOM. I have a Graphtech Resomax TOM lying around. The saddles are made of "tusq" and the body of the bridge top is made by aluminium. That combo gives a somewhat darker sound as compared to the normal TOM bridges. I'd say that it is somewhere between a normal TOM and an ebony bridge top. In addition to the "tusq" saddles, the aluminium material may also play a role in the sound (Graphtech claims it does). The "tusq" saddles alone likely means less when used in a Gibson TOM.

For my Painter P-350 I ended up preferring a compensated ebony bridge top (from Sadowsky) because of its warmer sound and the sound quality is also more equal between the individual strings.

I have a Gotoh TOM on a 1961 Gibson 175, because it helps sustain, clarity and brightness which this particular guitar doesn't have a lot of with a wood bridge. This guitar seems to have changed in this respect through the four decades I have had it (maybe it's slowly dying - disintegration of the glue between the plies of the wood?). Whatever, the Painter sounds far better.

As for a "normal" all-metal TOM, I much prefer a Gotoh to the normal Gibson ABR-1. I used the latter for some years on the Gibson 175 but was constantly annoyed by the buzzing of the screws and the retaining wire. The Gotoh TOM doesn't have a retaining wire and the screws don't rattle.

I've been sceptical of wood bridges since owning an Ibanez GB10. I could never get that guitar in tune. Particularly above the 7th fret. Recut the nut and dressed the frets. Still had funky tuning.
I did notice a few GB10's in various pictures that had been fitted with Tuneomatics. I never tried that. I ended up selling that guitar.

I have a Painter being built at the moment and should take delivery in April. I'm keen to see how the tuning is with the wooden bridge on that one.

Glad you like the sound of your Painter. If mine sounds better than my 775 then I will be over the moon. I already love the sound of the Gibson.

[kris]

I have expierinces about bridges from concerts:
1. at low volume without drumer I prefer wooden bridge
2. When I played with loud drumer better is Gibson ABR-1

Maybe it is from costruction of my guitar: I use floating Armstrong hand made humbucker instaled to the pickguard.

[oldane]

Originally Posted by Philco

I have a Painter being built at the moment and should take delivery in April. I'm keen to see how the tuning is with

That must be the one on Toms Picasa site ("Phils P-15"). Looks good. As far advanced as it is now, you may even have it before april. I had Tom make my bridge base with standard Gibson post spacing, so swapping bridge saddles would be easy (I suspected I would prefer a compensated bridge top to the straight one Tom makes). BTW, you can se mine on the same site ("Leif's P-350"). Apart from the bridge top, I have also swapped the tone and volume knobs to small black pointer knobs. The golden speed knobs look great, but I couldn't see where I was at with my knob settings.

[Philco]

Originally Posted by oldane

That must be the one on Toms Picasa site ("Phils P-15"). Looks good. As far advanced as it is now, you may even have it before april. I had Tom make my bridge base with standard Gibson post spacing, so swapping bridge saddles would be easy (I suspected I would prefer a compensated bridge top to the straight one Tom makes). BTW, you can se mine on the same site ("Leif's P-350"). Apart from the bridge top, I have also swapped the tone and volume knobs to small black pointer knobs. The golden speed knobs look great, but I couldn't see where I was at with my knob settings.

Yes that's my baby. Actually it's a 16'. I have also asked for the Gibson post spacing.......just in case.
I try not to look at those pictures to often.....best to keep it out of mind and the time will pass more quickly!
Your P-350 looks fabulous.