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Area 59' Abr1

pulse.

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2016
Messages
28
Has anyone tried one? They have a 25% discount for a couple of days and I'm kinda interested.
How do they compare with the ones on VOS and Murphy Lab?
 
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
93
Has anyone tried one? They have a 25% discount for a couple of days and I'm kinda interested.
How do they compare with the ones on VOS and Murphy Lab?
Sorry i am not familiar with area 59's ABR-1 but if you are after the closest to the old original get a Four Uncles. they are pricey($450 i think?) but worth it from what others that have bought it have said.
For me a Faber Abr-1 is more than good enough. very close to my ears.
 

Wizard1183

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
791
I'm aware of the four uncles but I'm not willing to spend 500€ for a bridge and thumbwheels.
I have a Four Uncles, I bought brass thumbwheels from another company. Try changing just the thumbwheels as I’ve heard that’s the biggest change? I changed em both and it was significantly better than factory.

I thought of trying this one out though?
 

Mr. Legit

Active member
Joined
Sep 11, 2016
Messages
112
Both the Area59 and the Gibson Historic bridges are the exact same pieces. The Area59 bridges are also made by Advanced Plating (Advanced Plating makes the bridges and other parts for the Gibson Historic line). Area59 is the brand that CrazyParts puts on their line of the same Gibson Historic pieces. So caveat emptor to those claiming there is a difference between the Custom Shop and Area59.

My bridges are the most accurate, but they are sold out for now. I wish you luck!
 

garywright

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2002
Messages
15,660
Both the Area59 and the Gibson Historic bridges are the exact same pieces. The Area59 bridges are also made by Advanced Plating (Advanced Plating makes the bridges and other parts for the Gibson Historic line). Area59 is the brand that CrazyParts puts on their line of the same Gibson Historic pieces. So caveat emptor to those claiming there is a difference between the Custom Shop and Area59.

My bridges are the most accurate, but they are sold out for now. I wish you luck!
IMG_1179.jpeg
 

m bernardi

Active member
Joined
Jul 17, 2002
Messages
534
never said they sound the same!! And did not know same company makes both. I like early wire gibson's. i have done recordings with wired 63- 4 uncles and the area 59 limited edition off 100 - same guitar all 3 bridges set up by a world class luther. did- neck- midd - bridge . in jazz - funk- rock. sent them out blind to 44 people 43 picked the wired 63 and one the 4 uncles. at the same time my custom build was done I sent the 4 uncles and area59 to the the world class builder and the area59 was the better of the two sound wise on that guitar. all guitar are different!!!! the only way to know is to try it.
 
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
93
Both the Area59 and the Gibson Historic bridges are the exact same pieces. The Area59 bridges are also made by Advanced Plating (Advanced Plating makes the bridges and other parts for the Gibson Historic line). Area59 is the brand that CrazyParts puts on their line of the same Gibson Historic pieces. So caveat emptor to those claiming there is a difference between the Custom Shop and Area59.

My bridges are the most accurate, but they are sold out for now. I wish you luck!
Since your bridge is unavailable how is the Faber ABR-1 with brass saddles? The general consensus of players seems to be other than FU's bridge the Faber is the way to go?
 

Mr. Legit

Active member
Joined
Sep 11, 2016
Messages
112
Since your bridge is unavailable how is the Faber ABR-1 with brass saddles? The general consensus of players seems to be other than FU's bridge the Faber is the way to go?
In my opinion, most brand of ABR1s serve as a suitable replacement, but each accomplishes different things. I believe that if you have a relationship with your guitar and know your tone, then you’ll know what you need to get the goods. I don’t speak for the Four Uncles or Faber, but I am after vintage correct warts and all in the way I imagine the perfect ABR bridge would be. My goal might be different from yours, and I am incredibly particular about the shape too. For example, you can still buy 60’s ABR-1s (if thats your bag) for less than $350.00 and those ARE vintage with no sales or snake oil behind them. I don’t know what players you seem to speak for because anyone can make these “If Not A Then B” types of claims. Let’s cut to the chase though. Have you tried to ask Stephens Design or Four Uncles (No disrespect to Dave because he is great maker of pickups.) or consult one of Mr. Stephens’ many videos for sound advice because I was just told by a well respected source that according to the general consensus among players and musicians the world over that Mr. Stephens is the ultimate authority on all things under tonal minutiae and that the Four Uncles bridges are the GOAT?
 
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
93
In my opinion, most brand of ABR1s serve as a suitable replacement, but each accomplishes different things. I believe that if you have a relationship with your guitar and know your tone, then you’ll know what you need to get the goods. I don’t speak for the Four Uncles or Faber, but I am after vintage correct warts and all in the way I imagine the perfect ABR bridge would be. My goal might be different from yours, and I am incredibly particular about the shape too. For example, you can still buy 60’s ABR-1s (if thats your bag) for less than $350.00 and those ARE vintage with no sales or snake oil behind them. I don’t know what players you seem to speak for because anyone can make these “If Not A Then B” types of claims. Let’s cut to the chase though. Have you tried to ask Stephens Design or Four Uncles (No disrespect to Dave because he is great maker of pickups.) or consult one of Mr. Stephens’ many videos for sound advice because I was just told by a well respected source that according to the general consensus among players and musicians the world over that Mr. Stephens is the ultimate authority on all things under tonal minutiae and that the Four Uncles bridges are the GOAT?
actually i did and found the Faber (To me!) sounded as good as the FU bridge for a LOT less hurt on the wallet!🤣
Hard to beat for $78! https://faberusa.com/product/3023-1-abrh-bridge-for-gibson-abr-1-aged-nickel/
 

Mr. Legit

Active member
Joined
Sep 11, 2016
Messages
112
Faber is a legendary name. All of the makers are great. You can’t go wrong. One thing the Germans are brilliant at is precision. I buy multiples of all the competition usually including FU, and Faber is extremely consistent, KMS machines their bridges to a work of art, and both sound great. I am glad you can sit through those videos because I can’t personally stand Dave’s playing and the way he plucks the notes. If old school tone is your thing, there are many combinations to getting this formula. For example, I am a Beano era fanatic and just by playing one lick (Bernard Jenkins), I know the bridge has got the goods. I ensure every bridge that goes out my door can play that one lick that tells me everything I need to hear. If you play and practice a lot like I do (this is a lifestyle), these tonal questions should be simple. I find the change in bridges alone is not as night and day as some people make out, and I make these bridges.
 
Joined
Jan 2, 2023
Messages
93
Faber is a legendary name. All of the makers are great. You can’t go wrong. One thing the Germans are brilliant at is precision. I buy multiples of all the competition usually including FU, and Faber is extremely consistent, KMS machines their bridges to a work of art, and both sound great. I am glad you can sit through those videos because I can’t personally stand Dave’s playing and the way he plucks the notes. If old school tone is your thing, there are many combinations to getting this formula. For example, I am a Beano era fanatic and just by playing one lick (Bernard Jenkins), I know the bridge has got the goods. I ensure every bridge that goes out my door can play that one lick that tells me everything I need to hear. If you play and practice a lot like I do (this is a lifestyle), these tonal questions should be simple. I find the change in bridges alone is not as night and day as some people make out, and I make these bridges.
This is a good example of the tone i like,
The beginning part where it is clean really speaks volumes to me👍
 
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