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[qczhao]

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[WillsJazz]

Yes, it's tilting toward the back a little because the posts have bent slightly. It's not a big deal and not uncommon with ABR-1 bridges. How's the action and intonation? If it plays well and is the intonation is good I'd leave it alone for a while. Eventually the posts will need replacing but it's nothing to get excited about. If all else is good and the price is right I wouldn't worry about it. Good luck!

[sgosnell]

I can't tell if the posts are bent or the base is just canted a little. Parallex can make things look strange. I don't see a serious issue with it. I see no evidence of a sinking top. The f holes look even, as far as I can tell. Gibsons are know for having that shape of the top.

[Cunamara]

to the OP, are you referring to the angle of the posts or are you referring to that little sag in the middle of the bridge base?


In the case of the former, I don't see any problem. It's not unusual for the bridge to get tilted on the posts. The posts probably aren't bent. There's a little play between the posts and the holes in the bridge top assembly of the ABR-1. Easily straightened out with your fingers, but more just a visual annoyance than anything else. This happens on my ES 175 as well and every other guitar that has had a Tune O Matic bridge on it.


In the case of the latter, that's not a problem either. The feet of the bridge base could be fitted to the top of a little better, if you wanted to, but probably not worth worrying about.

[Cunamara]

The base on my ES-175 is also a bit flexed, not quite as much but I wouldn't worry about it.

[garybaldy]

Is the 2 footed bridge base with the thin 'crossbar' designed as such to allow bending to give optimum full contact of the feet against the guitar top?

[58flame]

If it is bent, here's what you do. You bend it back and use more thumbwheels. Not a big deal and very, very, common. Look how many vintage Les Pauls have more than one pet side.

[garybaldy]

If it is bent, here's what you do. You bend it back and use more thumbwheels. Not a big deal and very, very, common. Look how many vintage Les Pauls have more than one pet side.

the OP is asking about the wooden base.

[wintermoon]

Cunamara is correct and the OP confirmed it in post 4, the wood base is flexed.
It's a bit uncommon for posts in wood bases to bend, if they tilt it's typically because the threaded hole in the wood base develops play over time.
I don't think garybaldy's question if Gibson designed them to flex to fit the top better is true but it's an interesting theory and one I hadn't thought of. That said I always wondered why they were so thin but never seem to break w that flexing.

[WillsJazz]

If you zoom in on the base you can see it looks completely normal. It's the bridge posts that are slightly bent. It's practically a non-issue and wouldn't prevent me from purchasing an otherwise fine 175.

[garybaldy]

Cunamara is correct and the OP confirmed it in post 4, the wood base is flexed.
It's a bit uncommon for posts in wood bases to bend, if they tilt it's typically because the threaded hole in the wood base develops play over time.
I don't think garybaldy's question if Gibson designed them to flex to fit the top better is true but it's an interesting theory and one I hadn't thought of. That said I always wondered why they were so thin but never seem to break w that flexing.

Here's one I purchased recently.

[sgosnell]

That style base is designed to flex.

[Cunamara]

If you zoom in on the base you can see it looks completely normal. It's the bridge posts that are slightly bent. It's practically a non-issue and wouldn't prevent me from purchasing an otherwise fine 175.

The bridge base has an obvious convexity across its span. That is in fact normal. The slight cant to the ABR-1 bridge top is just play between the top and the posts. My 2 TOM guitars have this too and the posts aren’t bent on either of them.

I wouldn’t pass on buying an ES-175 just for that!