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Wondering if there is any difference between a Kluson wired ABR-1 Bridge and a Gibson wired ABR-1 Bridge, they look identical to me
Kluson ABR-1 Bridge Wired W/ Brass Saddles W/Hardware (US MADE) - Hardware & Parts from WD Music UK Limited UK
Gibson | ABR-1 Tune-o-matic Bridge - Gold
maybe even the same manufacturer? Would anyone here know?
TIA for any knowlegeable input
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07-02-2022 08:38 AM
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The one with a wire...has a wire to prevent a saddle from falling out when you break or change strings. It works but is known to rattle/ buzz. No wire is quieter but saddle can fall out. Common practice is to carefully place a drop of wax from a candle where the saddle sits into the bridge to avoid both pitfalls of design.
Last edited by whiskey02; 07-04-2022 at 11:59 AM.
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Graphtech makes some nice tune-o-matics that don't use the wire.
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Originally Posted by whiskey02Originally Posted by lammie200
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They are both junk. Get a Faber or KMS and never look back.
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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The Gibson and Kluson are cheap cast pot metal with sloppy threads.
Both the Faber and KMS are made in Germany with your choice of metal with the KMS being CNC machined from a solid billet.
They also come pre notched perfectly for a Gibson.
The KMS is very expensive but worth it.
The Faber is same price as Gibson but far superior in quality.
The plating is flawless on both. Zero slop, no buzz, precise threads on posts. A drop in no fuss replacement.
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OK Vinny, got it, but, are there any tonal advantages. We're talking bridges - my experience tells me that the bridge directly affects tone and response ... and tone is subjective... blah blah blah, but what are your ears telling you? Thanks.
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I have them on ALL my Gibson’s. What my ears tell me is spot on intonation and way better sustain. Adjustment screws turn like butter.
I immediately put a Faber on my new S400. No cheap retaining wire.
Posts are locked in with precision C clips.
The KMS use a exclusive V notch. Kiss My Strings.
Twice the price of the Faber or stock Gibson. IMO worth it.
They offer billet Zamac or brass. The brass is brighter.
Faber’s are solid brass. Both offer different metal saddles.
I like brass only because titanium is very expensive.
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
EDIT: I saw a video where someone dropped a current bridge on a table and it went thunk. A vintage bridge went klang. Does it make a difference? I don’t know, but I was trying to stay close to what they originally used. Do some research, I think the original intonation pieces were plated brass and not some junk.
Also the posts have changed, they were gold plated brass in the old days. So I sent a pair to Mark Campellone to put on my build.
He thought I was nuts! And didn’t think it made a difference. And of course the alloys aren’t the same anyway.
So take all of this with a grain of salt and a healthy dose of skepticism!
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As i have in mind to buy a "spare" bridge to install the six nylon inserts which i still have laying around it probably won't make much difference which one to buy, a Faber looks good to me. They also offer a model with nylon inserts, but it costs 40 Euros more ...
I certainly agree with vinnyv1k about quality issues on original parts. My 2003 L5, the only archtop in my life which i bought brand new, had a bridge whith some screws not really matching the inserts, making it impossible to move a couple of the inserts all the way forth and back. However, when i informed Gibson about the problem i was sent a replacement which was okay.
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The original Gibson ABR-1 was made of quality Zamac alloy.
The new ones are not the same quality period.
Your guitar your choice. I only gave a better option.
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
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This thread exemplifies reason # 846,531 why I love this place! The sheer wealth of knowledge, freely shared!
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I've got no-wire Faber with nylon saddles on my 175. No buzz, no rattle, everything fits well. Happy.
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Originally Posted by JazzNote
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Originally Posted by vinnyv1k
Has to be really small volumes if milling beats die casting from a price point
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Originally Posted by JohanAbrandt
If I remember they were around $200 vs $80 for the Faber USD.
Both are drop in replacements that are superior over other ABR-1’s.
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Kluson make the historic (aluminium) stop tailpieces for Gibson. Maybe they make the bridges too.
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I have had good experience with ABM bridges. Milled too. Different materials. Bell brass heavier than ”normal” junk cast bridges. (Even though I prefer ebony in my jazz guitars.)
ABM Guitar Parts, Tuneomatic Stop-Tail
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Originally Posted by Herbie
If you want what was original to the golden age Gibsons, this is a good place to start. LP freaks claim it makes a difference. I changed most of these parts on my LP and it sounds great, but I couldn't tell you if it sounds that much better, it is impossible to AB these since it takes so long to change out the parts.
I would not be looking to change out these parts for titanium or brass unless you are trying to change the sound from original in some specific way. I have never had any luck with all-brass parts, but YMMV. I am just looking for close to original on this stuff, they were good enough for the golden age guitarists, so good enough for me! But for sure, most current guitar parts are cheap pot metal, you can tell when you drop them on a table and they just thud, so they can be improved upon. it may make a difference, may not, and it definitely won't make you play like Wes!
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Originally Posted by bluejaybill
The name pot metal comes from the pot where all kinds of cuts and slagg ended up before it was melted and used for a cheap run. Since composition is unknown you cant use detailed dies, difficult to plate, and if you want precision you need to machine it after.
The mazak/zamak alloys where created because only by creating a known and stable composition can you expect repeatable results which is the foundation for quality improvement.
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What I like about the Faber and KMS is they notch them first then plate them. The notches are spot on. No fuss drop in replacement.
Also the notches are plated. You don’t have to cut through the plating.
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