GIBSON ES-165 ROSEWOOD or EBONY Bridge

[Durban]

I would like to replace my stock ES165 Gold Tom Bridge ( its on a Rosewood base)

with either Rosewood or Ebony

Where do i get one? Stew Mac have but you cant buy in UK you need an account.
Ive seen Indian & Chinese on Ebay pretty cheap. but yukky.

I would have a repair guy i use to cut/space if need be, i am not good at tinkering

[Ray175]

Stewmac will ship to Europe.... I live in France and have bought from them on several occasions

[Jabberwocky]

Give John Moriarty a call Setup And Maintenance | archtop.ie .

StewMac bridges are overcompensated and not worth the expense.

[Brian B]

To the best of my knowledge, the rosewood and ebony archie bridges StewMac sells have a different spread on the adjustment posts. The tops won't swap directly onto a Gibson (or Epiphone) bridge base. I believe you have to use the SM base and swap the entire bridge assembly.

I know for 100% certainly its different than the OEM bridge on my 98 Epi Zephyr Regent. And when I was playing the "What fits" game that day determined it was different than Gibson as I had a roller TOM that fit my Les Paul in the mix, and it was different than that as well.

I can also say, if you get a SM bridge, and take the time to match it to your top...it works very well. It took some sanding for me to match the top curve, but once there...the original bridge ain't goin' back on..lol

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[Max405]

My playing is not good enough to be able tell the difference in sound between a Rosewood and an Ebony bridge. I prefer the sound of the Rosewood over Tunomatic bridge. It took the edge off and warmed up the guitar a bit. The intonation is perfection.

[Ray175]

If you are seeking to soften the sound, you could also try replacing the metal saddles with plastic ones.

[ThatRhythmMan]

If you are seeking to soften the sound, you could also try replacing the metal saddles with plastic ones.

This would be an easy swap. Nylon saddles like those Gibson used in the ‘60s are readily available and can be swapped with those on your TOM. They can dramatically change the character of your TOM.

[Jabberwocky]

I don't know if Durban is in South Africa or the UK but he mentioned UK so I thought he should give John Moriarty-MWah Hah Hah Hah- an email or call. John can carve Durban an ebony or rosewood bridge to match the saddles on his TOM for perfect intonation.

I think that Graphtech String Saver NV2 Resomax TOM bridge is quite a nice warm sounding piece for about $100 and a bit. That is a drop-in that merits some consideration. I am not too hot about the StewMac overcompensated saddle.

[ugarte]

1. Stewmac provides dimensions on all the bridges they sell, if you want to keep your current base you will need to determine the post spread. They also provide a fair explanation of the differences in current bridge dimensions. Archtop Guitar Bridge | stewmac.com
2. I'm a big fan of the Tonepros "nylon '66" TOM bridge, I think its a very viable compromise and its dead simple to install and cut for string notches. AVR2G – TonePros Replacement ABR-1 Tuneomatic with “G Formula” saddles | TonePros

[ThatRhythmMan]

You can buy the whole bridge if you want to try nylon saddles, but you really only need the saddles themselves and you can install them on the TOM you already have for 1/10th the cost.

https://www.philadelphialuthiertools...dles-set-of-6/

[Durban]

Big thanks to all for the help, i am going to have to digest all of this,

i thought keep the base and replace saddle but did not think of spacing etc .

nylon saddles sounds easier, but really fancy wood Rosewood or Ebony

so thinking cap on.

[Jabberwocky]

Any violin or bowed instrument maker in the UK can carve you a wooden saddle for your ES-165. You could have it made out of maple or pearwood or padauk or any hardwood (except for balsa).

You mentioned you have the services of a luthier. Cook Woods and Gilmer Woods sell blanks which are well--suited to carving. I am sure there are wood suppliers in the UK who could supply you the same.