• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Bending ABR1 posts and doubled up thumbwheels

brandtkronholm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,737
For more info - leaning bridge posts is a different issue; this is when the wood gives way and the posts lean like the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
 

J.D.

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2006
Messages
10,030
If the wood is giving way that's a completely different issue.

It's not terribly difficult to bend an ABR1 stud. One good knock inside the case against the lid can bend them. Whatever the case, they are cheap and easy to replace.

Extra thumbwheels have a better chance of leaving nice rings in the finish than solving the problem.

I'm personally not a fan of the "mapleflame" mod. More chance of damaging the guitar than improving anything. YMMV
 

El Gringo

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 8, 2015
Messages
5,657
If the wood is giving way that's a completely different issue.

It's not terribly difficult to bend an ABR1 stud. One good knock inside the case against the lid can bend them. Whatever the case, they are cheap and easy to replace.

Extra thumbwheels have a better chance of leaving nice rings in the finish than solving the problem.

I'm personally not a fan of the "mapleflame" mod. More chance of damaging the guitar than improving anything. YMMV
Did Wildwood use this type of mod with the longer posts on there Wildwood 10's series of R guitars ?
 

brandtkronholm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,737
If the wood is giving way that's a completely different issue.

It's not terribly difficult to bend an ABR1 stud. One good knock inside the case against the lid can bend them. Whatever the case, they are cheap and easy to replace.

Extra thumbwheels have a better chance of leaving nice rings in the finish than solving the problem.

I'm personally not a fan of the "mapleflame" mod. More chance of damaging the guitar than improving anything. YMMV
My experience with bent bridge studs (never mine - whew!) has usually been the result of some in-case trauma.
If you travel with your instruments (tours, etc.) that "one good knock" is an inevitability!


Also, the OP's Les Paul looks pretty cool! I'd like to see more pictures of that top!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ADP

ADP

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
682
I have gathered the necessary information, thanks to you guys! Here is a better picture of the lean, and a shot of the exceptional top.


eUrJQhh.jpg


ua4bLCg.jpg
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
If the wood is giving way that's a completely different issue.

It's not terribly difficult to bend an ABR1 stud. One good knock inside the case against the lid can bend them. Whatever the case, they are cheap and easy to replace.

Extra thumbwheels have a better chance of leaving nice rings in the finish than solving the problem.

I'm personally not a fan of the "mapleflame" mod. More chance of damaging the guitar than improving anything. YMMV
This exactly
 

ADP

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
682
I would like to believe the metallurgy of the posts and thumbwheels make a tremendous difference in tonal transfer. Along with the abr-1 and saddles themselves, I feel like quality metal is the trick for that extra 2% on the acoustic side of things.

I have slipped back down the rabbit hole...
 

SoK66

Active member
Joined
Aug 31, 2009
Messages
236
I learned the double thumbwheel trick about 50 years ago when I had an opportunity to meet Joe Walsh and saw his '60 up close. I use that trick on Gibsons with a neck angle that leaves a lot of post uncovered. Right now my '09 build '59 RI ES335 is set up that way, along with stainless steel studs. No worries.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ADP

Wilko

All Access/Backstage Pass
Joined
Mar 11, 2002
Messages
20,854
My belief is that posts bend because of way some people string their guitars and/or not removing all strings once in a while. The effect is cumulative.

I’ve never had an issue as the string pressure is fairly straight down. Always tuning the strings UP without ever getting the string off the saddle is what does it.
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
My belief is that posts bend because of way some people string their guitars and/or not removing all strings once in a while. The effect is cumulative.

I’ve never had an issue as the string pressure is fairly straight down. Always tuning the strings UP without ever getting the string off the saddle is what does it.
Absolutely this
 

ADP

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2015
Messages
682
It likely happened from being bumped in the case. This guitar has toured the world.

I highly doubt regular tuning would cause the post to bend.
 
Top