Area 59' Abr1

[latestarter]

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!

Pardon my ignorance, I’m not here that often. What bridge do you make (brand)? Thanks

 

[pulse.]

Cooper if I'm not mistaken

Cooper Musical Components

Cooper Musical Components (CMC) specializes in meticulous vintage reproduction guitar and amplifier components for the true vintage guitar parts enthusiast.

coopermusicalcomponents.com

 

[charliechitlins]

I

Cooper if I'm not mistaken

Cooper Musical Components

Cooper Musical Components (CMC) specializes in meticulous vintage reproduction guitar and amplifier components for the true vintage guitar parts enthusiast.

coopermusicalcomponents.com

Interesting that the search for the most accurate reproduction led to machining from a solid billet rather than casting.
The original part was made of crap pot metal like a Ford Falcon hood ornament, and they sagged in the middle.
I can't imagine going too far out of my way to achieve that kind of magic.

 

[Mr. Legit]

I
Interesting that the search for the most accurate reproduction led to machining from a solid billet rather than casting.
The original part was made of crap pot metal like a Ford Falcon hood ornament, and they sagged in the middle.
I can't imagine going too far out of my way to achieve that kind of magic.

It did. I am sorry, but this is an individual passion. If you would loan me the thousands of dollars I need for the die casting I’d love to do this. Besides, even if I did it, it still wouldn’t be accurate because legally, I cannot put the Gibson name on the bottom. Also nobody makes these bridges completely die casted outside of Gibson. Pressure die casting is the incorrect method too (FU uses this.). I did the lab tests by destroying a couple vintage ones, and I can send you pictures if you’d like.

I’ll do you one better. I’ll send you a clip blind, with 5 vintage bridges, and one of mine included, and if you can tell me which one is mine (because you can hear a difference right?) I will give you a vintage bridge free. I’ll even pick up the shipping. We do CNC because (1) its cheaper and (2) this is a niche market.

 

[60thR0]

How is it compared to the stock Abr1?

I found the stock ABR-1s on my 2020 and 2021 reissues sounded harsh and had a dull attack. First I got the Faber with brass saddles and that cleared up the harshness, but still has a slighly softer attack than I wanted. The KMS is also sweet but has a bit stronger attack. Maybe it’s in my head and not real. Both look great and are way ahead of the Gibson at least prior to the 2023 update.

 

[charliechitlins]

It did. I am sorry, but this is an individual passion. If you would loan me the thousands of dollars I need for the die casting I’d love to do this. Besides, even if I did it, it still wouldn’t be accurate because legally, I cannot put the Gibson name on the bottom. Also nobody makes these bridges completely die casted outside of Gibson. Pressure die casting is the incorrect method too (FU uses this.). I did the lab tests by destroying a couple vintage ones, and I can send you pictures if you’d like.

I’ll do you one better. I’ll send you a clip blind, with 5 vintage bridges, and one of mine included, and if you can tell me which one is mine (because you can hear a difference right?) I will give you a vintage bridge free. I’ll even pick up the shipping. We do CNC because (1) its cheaper and (2) this is a niche market.

I wasn't knocking you down.
There is no subtext to my post.
Read it again and take it literally.

 

[Mr. Legit]

I wasn't knocking you down.
There is no subtext to my post.
Read it again and take it literally.

Sorry. Looks like my panties were the one in a wad this time I recant my defense.

 

[pulse.]

Sorry. Looks like my panties were the one in a wad this time I recant my defense.

When will the next batch be available?

 

[m bernardi]

It did. I am sorry, but this is an individual passion. If you would loan me the thousands of dollars I need for the die casting I’d love to do this. Besides, even if I did it, it still wouldn’t be accurate because legally, I cannot put the Gibson name on the bottom. Also nobody makes these bridges completely die casted outside of Gibson. Pressure die casting is the incorrect method too (FU uses this.). I did the lab tests by destroying a couple vintage ones, and I can send you pictures if you’d like.

I’ll do you one better. I’ll send you a clip blind, with 5 vintage bridges, and one of mine included, and if you can tell me which one is mine (because you can hear a difference right?) I will give you a vintage bridge free. I’ll even pick up the shipping. We do CNC because (1) its cheaper and (2) this is a niche market.

so why buy yours if it sounds difference then vintage LOL IT PUTS it in the category of the 4 uncle's and area 59 because 43 people out of 44 picked the 63 bridge over other 2 in my blind test ! And not saying the others sound bad just different.

 

[CK6]

I would replace the thumb wheels and posts first. Then look at bridge.

I’ve had Faber and I currently have four uncles bridges installed - even the stock Gibson sounds fine. Depends what you’re trying to accomplish.

For me, it was to dial out the harshness, and changing the posts and wheels helped the most.

 

[Mr. Legit]

When will the next batch be available?

I am sorry to derail your thread. Sadly, not until late 2024. We are 100% on different projects for now. Unlike other parts, the ABR-1s are extremely difficult to make and require the marriage of multiple components to get right hence why they are expensive and timely to make. Don’t forget brands like PigTail either because Pam has wonderful customer service and Steve put his heart and soul into his APR1.

so why buy yours if it sounds difference then vintage LOL IT PUTS it in the category of the 4 uncle's and area 59 because 43 people out of 44 picked the 63 bridge over other 2 in my blind test ! And not saying the others sound bad just different.

I didn’t say my bridges sounded different than what I thought was vintage. My goal is vintage, and the point of my bet was that you can’t tell one of my bridges from vintage pieces based on manufacturing methods alone. Let’s see, are you looking for a bridge with the correct consistent shape like on the ends to taper a certain way? Are you looking for a bridge with thicker saddles? Are you looking for a bridge with a flat EQ or a misbalanced EQ? The problem with the older bridges now is that there are inconsistencies in them that you won’t find in a modern bridge like mine because I set out to take what I thought was best of those bridges I own and put it into one so I could avoid paying the ridiculous prices people were asking for the bases alone. There isn’t a single piece of reproduction gear (FU included) that isn’t indistinguishable from vintage though (thats a good or a bad thing).

I’ll see myself out of this one, I don’t want to steer pulse.’s simple thread into these debates.

 

[These go to 11]

I found this was helpful.

I think i am leaning Callaham? I do like the Faber better than Gibson stock

 

[m bernardi]

I am sorry to derail your thread. Sadly, not until late 2024. We are 100% on different projects for now. Unlike other parts, the ABR-1s are extremely difficult to make and require the marriage of multiple components to get right hence why they are expensive and timely to make. Don’t forget brands like PigTail either because Pam has wonderful customer service and Steve put his heart and soul into his APR1.

I didn’t say my bridges sounded different than what I thought was vintage. My goal is vintage, and the point of my bet was that you can’t tell one of my bridges from vintage pieces. Let’s see, are you looking for a bridge with the correct consistent shape like on the ends to taper a certain way? Are you looking for a bridge with thicker saddles? Are you looking for a bridge with a flat EQ or a misbalanced EQ? The problem with the older bridges now is that there are inconsistencies in them that you won’t find in a modern bridge like mine because I set out to take what I thought was best of those bridges I own and put it into one so I could avoid paying the ridiculous prices people were asking for the bases alone. There isn’t a single piece of reproduction gear (FU included) that isn’t indistinguishable from vintage though (thats a good or a bad thing).

I’ll see myself out of this one, I don’t want to steer pulse.’s simple thread into these debates.

well I'll buy one

I am sorry to derail your thread. Sadly, not until late 2024. We are 100% on different projects for now. Unlike other parts, the ABR-1s are extremely difficult to make and require the marriage of multiple components to get right hence why they are expensive and timely to make. Don’t forget brands like PigTail either because Pam has wonderful customer service and Steve put his heart and soul into his APR1.

I didn’t say my bridges sounded different than what I thought was vintage. My goal is vintage, and the point of my bet was that you can’t tell one of my bridges from vintage pieces. Let’s see, are you looking for a bridge with the correct consistent shape like on the ends to taper a certain way? Are you looking for a bridge with thicker saddles? Are you looking for a bridge with a flat EQ or a misbalanced EQ? The problem with the older bridges now is that there are inconsistencies in them that you won’t find in a modern bridge like mine because I set out to take what I thought was best of those bridges I own and put it into one so I could avoid paying the ridiculous prices people were asking for the bases alone. There isn’t a single piece of reproduction gear (FU included) that isn’t indistinguishable from vintage though (thats a good or a bad thing).

I’ll see myself out of this one, I don’t want to steer pulse.’s simple thread into these debates.

well I am willing to buy one and put it up against a wired 63 and see. My e-mail is backstop62@aol.com please let me know when you have a new batch!!!! thanks

 

[60thR0]

I think i am leaning Callaham? I do like the Faber better than Gibson stock

Callaham longer available. Same as Cooper. FU unobtainium at least to me (plus for how much they want, vintagish options seem more interesting to me). That’s the problem with these comparisons. Already out of date.

 

[pulse.]

I’m really interested on the KMS one too, I just wish it looked more like the original ones.

 

[pulse.]

Callaham longer available. Same as Cooper. FU unobtainium at least to me (plus for how much they want, vintagish options seem more interesting to me). That’s the problem with these comparisons. Already out of date.

I believe that you can get a second hand Callahan plus there are a couple of places that have them stock, until it lasts.

 

[Dave P]

I am sorry to derail your thread. Sadly, not until late 2024. We are 100% on different projects for now. Unlike other parts, the ABR-1s are extremely difficult to make and require the marriage of multiple components to get right hence why they are expensive and timely to make. Don’t forget brands like PigTail either because Pam has wonderful customer service and Steve put his heart and soul into his APR1.

I loaned the late Steve Rowan a vintage non wire ABR-1 when he was tooling up to make his. I remember talking to Steve about them, he said he was going to use Zamac. Now what formulation, I don't know, as there are a few. They are a very nice bridge, he gave me an early one for loaning him my vintage one.

 

[pulse.]

I ordered a kms so I'll report back when I receive it.

 

[m bernardi]

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!

never had a new gibson bridges only 60 and and early 70s japanese that peter florence of voo doo pick ups tured me on to. like I said love to buy one of your bridges to try but you never contacte me!!!!

 

[LyleGorch]

Mr. Legit, what’s your take on ABM?