2016 Memphis 175 bridge discovery

[TedBPhx]

I knew the bridge is pinned but I did not realize the pins are not screwed into the top. That is, the diameter of the pin is smaller than that of the hole so the pins slide in an out easily. Had to mentally picture the vectors to convince myself that sound will be transmitted though the pins as they are pulled against the hole. This also means that extra care must be taken when changing strings to ensure the bridge base sits flush all the way round.

[M-ster]

... to convince myself that sound will be transmitted though the pins as they are pulled against the hole ...

I'm guessing it's more about the string tension pushing down on the entire bridge assembly that transmits the energy into the top.

[TedBPhx]

I certainly hope most of the sound goes through the feet. Hope I never have a weird rattle that is not in a known place.

[Robertkoa]

A threaded insert in the body might transmit more energy is there one in the pin holes ?

[Greentone]

No threaded inserts in the body. There isn't much top to work with. The laminated top is quite thin. Accepting a threaded insert might be tricky.

[sgosnell]

There is no insert. They just position the bridge and then screw the pins down into the body, AFAIK, not even using a drill. I unpinned mine, because I couldn't get proper intonation with the strings I use with it pinned in place, even with the saddles reversed, and then I replaced the TOM with an ebony saddle. I coudn't hear any difference in sound at all between pinned and unpinned. The pins don't do anything except hold the bridge in one place, removing the need for intonation every time the strings are changed all at once. I don't mind that, though. The sound is transmitted through the base, not the pins. And on a 175 there isn't much acoustic sound anyway, and the amplified sound won't be affected by the pins, at least IMO not enough to hear.

[Greentone]

AFAIK, Gibson started pinning bridges on ES-175s when it began factory stringing with .10-.40 gauge strings. The bridge would slip under heavy strumming with light strings. Also, attracting the rock set to archtop guitars meant guitar intonation issues after string changes--newbie owners didn't realize that removing all six strings meant knowing where to replace the loose bridge.

The pinned bridge has not a thing to do with better sound transmission.

[Robertkoa]

There is no insert. They just position the bridge and then screw the pins down into the body, AFAIK, not even using a drill. I unpinned mine, because I couldn't get proper intonation with the strings I use with it pinned in place, even with the saddles reversed, and then I replaced the TOM with an ebony saddle. I coudn't hear any difference in sound at all between pinned and unpinned. The pins don't do anything except hold the bridge in one place, removing the need for intonation every time the strings are changed all at once. I don't mind that, though. The sound is transmitted through the base, not the pins. And on a 175 there isn't much acoustic sound anyway, and the amplified sound won't be affected by the pins, at least IMO not enough to hear.

I was thinking more about the wood top being so fragile that the holes might enlarge etc over time ( although normally I would be thinking sound transmission but there' s a lot of contact besides the pin holes ).

Funny that on a pinned bridge ..they did not allow enough adjustment ...or pick the right' sweet spot ' for the holes....

But I guess since they are self drilling screws ( or top is so thin) moving it is simple....

[TedBPhx]

Guess I got lucky when then spotted the pin holes on mine, the intonation is spot on.

[vinnyv1k]

There is a thick wooden block glued underneath the top that the studs go into. Very nice setup.

[TedBPhx]

I do not see this block?

[vinnyv1k]

I do not see this block?

Hmmmm.....mine and Joe’s have them. PM Joe. He took some very nice pics of the block. Our studs were also longer. May be a change they made midstream.

[TedBPhx]

Is yours a ‘59 VOS reissue? This is a vanilla 2016 Memphis.

[jads57]

Seems like you can just trim the inserts/pins themselves, if you want it in a different position. But if your unhappy with the guitar just send it to me,LOL!

[vinnyv1k]

Same as yours. They don’t pin the 59’s.

[Marty Grass]

I do not see this block?

Beautiful pics. What do you use?

[TedBPhx]

Beautiful pics. What do you use?

iPhone SE while the neck pickup was temporarily removed.

[TedBPhx]

Same as yours. They don’t pin the 59’s.

Then I have no explanation.

[Woody Sound]

I do not see this block?

Wow, I 'm surprised to see the expensive curly maple laminate on the underside of the top.

[TedBPhx]

Wow, I 'm surprised to see the expensive curly maple laminate on the underside of the top.

Me too.

[lawson-stone]

I have it on my ES175. It just looks like a cross brace until you realize it's sitting under the bridge. Interestingly, I have not heard any complaint about intonation with these pinned bridges until this thread. Overall, it looks like Gibson pretty much nailed the intonation on the vast majority of these.

[icr]

I'd just get a standard bridge where the studs don't protrude out the bottom.

[Longways to Go]

Hmmmm.....mine and Joe’s have them. PM Joe. He took some very nice pics of the block. Our studs were also longer. May be a change they made midstream.

pretty sure mine has the block too. '17 sunset burst CME. curious

[Marty Grass]

pretty sure mine has the block too. '17 sunset burst CME. curious

I suspect that block is a good thing for structural support.

Guitarists, like almost all musicians, like traditional instruments. I expect some backlash against this ES-175 change. We'll see.

[vinnyv1k]

I see it as a good thing because of the kerfed bracing. The cross brace is glued tight to the kerfed braces adding strength to the top.