ABR-1...heads of screws on backside or frontside???WTF??

[davethemagician]

Ok I have to ask that know,

I noticed that some LP's have the ABR-1's with the screws (the head of the screw) heading towards the stoptail though most of the LP's I've seen has the screws on the otherside. SHOULD MEAN: why do some guys turn the ABR-1's in the "wrong direction??

Wouldn't the strings "hit" the heads of the screws????(when heading towards the stoptail)

What are your thoughts about it??

 

[58burst]

Gibson's own catalog shots etc. show the screws facing forward, so obviously that is the intended design; And, if you set up your guitar with a sharp enough string angle over the bridge, backwards-facing screws could interfere with the string run.
However, if the angle is such that the strings DON'T hit the screws, than the only consideration is the saddle placement for intonation; you can move the saddles back a bit more with the screws in the forward-facing position than in the backward.
But then, if THAT'S not an issue on your particular guitar, than it makes fu*k-all difference, and the bridge will function identically in either orienation.

 

[davethemagician]

thanks bro!!!

I already thought that this couldn't make such an important difference since there were no discussions about that here

 

[DvnLesPaul]

Along the same lines, I see the saddle taper so that the squared off edge faces the nut on all six and sometimes the fading edge faces the nut on the wound strings. Is this recommended?

 

[danbomb]

It is easier to intonate with the screws facing the tailpiece, right?

 

[Dana]

I find it easier to intonate with the screws facing the pickup. If it faces the stop tail piece, the strings dont move easily. The other way (facing pickup) i can pull or push a string out of the way to get a screw driver in there.

Dana

 

[BIGMAN714]

This is kinda weird but every LP I've ever owned (5) had the screws on the wrong side when I got them. I think that locking trems with fine tuners messed up everyone's ideas about those screws, the original Gibson specs show they should point to the pickups.

 

[DvnLesPaul]

So...
Nobody has noticed which way the saddles face?

 

[Snags]

As soon as they get done arguing about fingerboard material, this can be the new hot topic of the week. :lol2

 

[BIGMAN714]

So...
Nobody has noticed which way the saddles face?

The reason for the taper was to allow for more travel inside the rather small confines of the ABR-1 bridge by reversing the saddle. But it ultimately doesn't matter which way they face as long as the intonation is correct. Although somebody will probably say it does make a difference, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

 

[cndoman]

Hey c'mon this is the lpf, we got guys here that will tell you they can hear the difference between pickup selector switch tips .!!!. as long as the strings don't touch the body of the bridge you should be fine. However,, some abr's rattle enough to drive you mad, and I know guys that have turned them around for that reason. And don't EVEN get us started on tailpiece height. :lolspin :lolspin

 

[Jack The Riffer]

As soon as they get done arguing about fingerboard material, this can be the new hot topic of the week. :lol2

I just bought a set of vintage bridge screws on EBay for $75 each and they sound better than those stock cheapo toneless Historic RI screws.

 

[davethemagician]

:lol2 :rof

OH MY GOD SNAGS (caps locked especially for you )
don't you dare to say that!!
This wasn't ment to be a big thing....
If this should become a "Brazillian Rosewood Thread" PLEASE DELETE IT, I'm serious!!

Otherwise I won't sleep well!!!! :lol

Happy Easter, and good night (it's 3 am here!!)

 

[George]

Screws facing the nut. If the saddle pieces don't have enough travel room with the tapered side one way, I remove it and turn it around. It is designed to give a little extra length with the tapered side facing the nut

 

[BIGMAN714]

And don't EVEN get us started on tailpiece height. :lolspin :lolspin

Speaking of tailpiece height, mash it to the top!

 

[johntheson]

When I took my LP in for the initial setup; the luthier turned 2 of my saddles aroud. I asked why she had done so, and she said that my intonation settings were right on the border of being adjusted to the max in the stock direction, and what this did was open the door for any future adjustments that might need to be made. So after turning the saddles around; instaed of being at the end of the strings intonation adjustment; it was now at the beginning. A new lease on life so to speak. I didn't question it because this lady has taken every instrument that I've brought her Martins,Gibsons,ect., and brought out the very best in it.
John Sr.

 

[Bob Onit]

Well I just took a look and my screws face towards the tail stop and I think its backwards.
Last time I changed the strings (about a year ago, I dont play it much these days) the bridge fell right off so I just slapped it back on.

The funny part is that its perfectly intonated.
Maybe its been this way for the last 30 years....

Oh well, as long as it plays!